Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Canterbury Museum

Canterbury Museum in 2017
General information
Type	Museum
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
Location	Christchurch, New Zealand
Address	11 Rolleston Avenue
Completed	1882
Inaugurated	1870 (first part of building)
Renovated	1995
Design and construction
Architect	Benjamin Mountfort

Heritage New Zealand – Category I
Designated:	25 September 1986
Reference #:	290

The Canterbury Museum is a fascinating museum located in the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. It's part of the city's special Cultural Precinct. The museum first opened its doors in 1867. Julius von Haast was its very first director. His amazing collection of items formed the main part of the museum. The museum building is so old and important that it's officially called a "Historic Place – Category I" by Heritage New Zealand.

History of the Museum
Museum Directors
Gallery
See also

History of the Museum

Building the Museum

The museum building was designed by Benjamin Mountfort. It has a special look called Gothic Revival. The first part of the building opened in 1870. Just two years later, more floors were added. The museum kept growing over the next ten years. New parts were built in 1876, and a courtyard inside was covered with a roof in 1882.

Later, in 1958, a new section was built next to Christ's College. Another part was added in 1977. The building was made stronger in the mid-1990s. A new four-story section was also added in 1995.

Surviving Earthquakes

The museum had only small damage to its front during the big 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Luckily, the building stayed strong. This was probably because it had been made stronger to handle earthquakes between 1987 and 1995. About 95% of the museum's collections were safe. The statue of William Rolleston in front of the museum did fall over during the quake. The museum was able to open again on 2 September 2011.

Exciting Changes and New Plans

In June 2020, the museum made some changes to an exhibit about a Māori family. These displays were later removed in 2022.

Near the end of 2020, the museum shared its first ideas for a big new project. This project is expected to cost around $195 million. The new plans will bring back some amazing exhibits. These include a huge blue whale skeleton, which might be the biggest skeleton in the world! Also returning is the Whare Whakairo called "Hau Te Ananui O Tangaroa."

Other popular areas will also get a fresh look. These include Discovery (a fun zone for kids), Christchurch Street (a model of an old Christchurch street), and Fred & Myrtle's Paua Shell House. In 2022, the project's budget went up a bit to $205 million. But the government is helping with a grant of $25 million.

The museum started moving its huge collection of 2.3 million items in October 2022. Less than 1% of these items were usually on display. People were invited to say goodbye to the galleries before they were packed away for about five years.

In January 2023, it was announced that the museum would move to a temporary spot. This new place is the CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art) building. Half of this space will be for special temporary exhibits. The other half will show some of the museum's most loved items. This temporary museum was planned to open in mid-2023.

On January 28, 2023, a cool art show called "The Shift: Urban Art Takeover" opened. Over 60 artists from New Zealand created art across five floors and 35 rooms. Some of these areas had never been open to the public before! This special exhibition closed on April 11.

The big redevelopment will add a large open space called an atrium to the museum. This will show off the original walls of the old buildings. The museum's blue whale skeleton will hang from the ceiling in this new space. Part of the Roger Duff wing will be changed to create a huge glass window. A second entrance will also be added on the Rolleston Avenue side. The museum's original flèche (a tall, thin spire) will also return. The buildings will also be made even stronger against earthquakes. The Robert McDougall Art Gallery will also become a part of the museum. It will display the museum's art collection.

Museum Directors

The Canterbury Museum has had many leaders over the years. They have been called both "curator" and "director." Julius von Haast was the very first director. He started in 1867 and passed away in 1887. Many other talented people have led the museum since then. The current director, Anthony Wright, started in March 1996.