An Extraordinary Gift to our Town

The recently held Renaissance Art Auction, fundraising for the Oamaru Opera House restoration and refurbishment, was a special evening of giving. Inspired by the generosity shown at this evening by so many, Marshall Seifert, and his family, who are strong supporters of the Opera House restoration and refurbishment project, unveiled an extraordinary gift to the people of Oamaru. A masterpiece in original silk weaving taken from the John Turnbull painting “The Signing of the Declaration of Independence”.


In 1925, the firm of Wullschleger & Co. Inc., ‘Importers and Converters of silk piece goods’, wished to celebrate the twentieth year of the company’s existence in the most fitting way possible. With offices in Lyon, France and New York it was decided that this would be best achieved by the creation of a memorial in silk to the Silk Industry. Arthur E. Wullschleger was Marshall’s grandfather, and also connected with the firm for the past 5 years was Marshall C. Seifert – Marshall’s father.


So complex was the intricate black and white China silk weaving, premises had to be found for the large, purpose-built Jacquard loom required. We believe this very loom has been transported from Lyon, as yet another gift, and is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington.


It took three years of continuous work to complete this unprecedented project of silk weaving. Wullschleger & Co. had produced a priceless heritage for the world. A copy was presented to each American embassy worldwide.


In 1927, Sir James Parr (Marshall’s maternal grandfather) then High Commissioner in London, accompanied the Duke of York to Waitaki Boys High School to partake in the official opening of the Hall of Memories. As Minister of Education in the early1920s Sir James, after a visit to Waitaki Boys High School, was so impressed with what he encountered that he instigated the formation of a more lasting legacy - the Junior school.


Marshall and his wife Analise (consultant Psychiatrist for the Elderly at Oamaru Hospital) living in Dunedin, wished to continue the spirit of giving - a family tradition which has enriched Oamaru’s history and heritage with this most exquisite and extraordinary gift.


Else Mackenzie, Opera House Encore co-ordinator says ‘this is an extremely generous gift to us all, and we cannot thank Marshall and Analise enough for their generosity and support. The delicate work is at present carefully stored, until we have done sufficient research to determine where and how best to share it with the people of Oamaru’.