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	Rolleston Avenue
Completed	1882
Inaugurated	1870 (first part of building)
Renovated	mid 1990s
Design and construction
Architect	Benjamin Mountfort
Heritage New Zealand – Category I
Designated:	25 September 1986
Reference #:	290

The Canterbury Museum is a museum located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, in the city's Cultural Precinct. The museum was established in 1867 with Julius von Haast – whose collection formed its core – as its first director. The building is registered as a "Historic Place – Category I " by Heritage New Zealand.

Construction

The building, a Gothic Revival constructed on a design by Benjamin Mountfort, opened in 1870. Two years after its opening, the single-storey building was expanded with an additional floor in the Victorian Gothic style. The museum continued to grow over the next decade, with an addition built on in 1876 and an interior courtyard roofed in 1882. In 1958, a new wing was added adjacent to Christ's College, and another was built on in 1977. The building was strengthened in the mid-1990s and a four-storey block was added in 1995.

Earthquake impact

The museum sustained minor damage to its façade during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, but remains structurally sound. This can perhaps be attributed to the progressive strengthening and renovating of the buildings to earthquake standards between 1987 and 1995. An estimated 95% of the collections were unharmed. The statue of William Rolleston, located at the front of the museum, toppled off its plinth during the quake. The museum reopened on 2 September 2011.

Gallery

• 

  The building was designed by Benjamin Mountfort and completed in 1882.

• 

  Historic oblique view of the building.

Images for kids

• 

  Clothing collection, 2016

• 

  Museum entrance

• 

  Pataka