The tradition of letterpress printing
Celebrating the era of Letterpress
The Printing Works recreates the activity of a letterpress job-printing shop in the early 1900's - setting type letter-by-letter cast in the manner invented by Gutenberg in 1450, and printing it on century-old presses.
The craft and skill that started a communications revolution !
The Printing Works is a working exhibit in the Cobblestones Museum in Greytown, New Zealand. Located on Main Street (SH1) the museum is a village setting of 16 buildings - six recognised by Heritage New Zealand as typical examples of Wairarapa's pioneering days.
Now in our 14th year, the Works is open to view daily and active for groups by prior arrangement.
Visits to the Printing Works are very popular with schools, community groups, art, craft and graphic arts enthusiasts and all visitors have a 'hands-on' printing opportunity during their visit, as well as gaining an appreciation of the letterpress process that has survived for centuries.
Visitors have their say on TripAdvisor !
'Stunning day of early settlers life
We had a fantastic time exploring the old buildings, the highlight being a visit to the printer's house which included several demonstrations with different presses and the chance to print our own page. Visited May 2020
Interesting Pioneer Village With twenty or more historic buildings Cobblestones gives an insight into life 100+ years ago. The highlight was the visit to the old printing shop. It's staffed on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and the curator demonstrates the use of the presses, their development, and the evolution of the alphabet. Visited July 2018 (Toronto Canada)
Pleasantly surprised
This place is a pleasant surprise not just an expected small town museum - it's a village ! Set amongst trees it has that old town feel. I learn't so much about printing it was super interesting. A must do if in the area. 5 stars from me.
Adelaide, Australia Visited April 2020
Looking back in history
The museum had clear information and was well presented. There are a number of old buildings relocated on the site. There was an excellent demonstration of printing, less often seen in the digital age. The old hospital was a treat and the 'dunny' a surprise. New Forest UK Visited February 2020
A museum of history and charm
Step back in history excellently portrayed in the range of original buildings and activity on the grounds. The woolshed, Church and school are highlights and a former shop is now a working printing works setting type and printing in the tradition of years ago Visited March 2020
Second Time Around I visited this wonderful museum two years ago with my young grandchildren. This time it was with my husband and we didn't regret visiting on what was a very wet day. We enjoyed the buildings and grounds nevertheless with the highlight of our visit a chat with Tony in the Printing Press room. His passion for the subject was tangible and we both learnt a lot about the printing processes of the past. Visited April 2018 (Brighton, UK)
Cobblestones Museum is made up of a whole village tucked in behind a new (2014) Exhibition Building. It's a peaceful garden setting - owned and operated by volunteers - filled with artifacts and buildings from days gone by that tell a story of the history of the Wairarapa area. The printing shop was another highlight - the volunteer running it knows his typefaces and it's fascinating to see the history behind all those fonts we get on our computers. Visited October 2017
Advertising really doesn't do this brilliant museum justice. They have saved over a dozen historic NZ buildings and relocated them to the museum grounds for viewing as well as the modern museum building itself. Hidden gems like the working printing presses in the printing works building with hands on demonstrations. Excellent value UK. Visited October 2018
This little gem is absolutely fabulous. The historic little village is set out around a little village green, where you can enjoy lunch. (B.Y.O)It was a great trip down memory lane for us and a real eye opener for the grandkids as to how difficult life was not so long ago. The working printshop is very educational and the amazing patience of the staff member was outstanding as he helped the children, from age 2 to 11 years, make their own little prints. A great place for all ages to spend a happy couple of hours easily. Great value for family. Visited October 2018
