Canterbury Museum — Attraction in Christchurch

Learn about the natural history of Canterbury, the people who have made their homes here and our connection to Antarctica. The Māori galleries display treasures and tools from our region’s first people. The Christchurch Street and Victorian Museum recreate the nineteenth-century city. At the world-famous kiwiana icon, Fred & Myrtle’s Pāua Shell House see more than 1,000 pāua shells, the most you’ll find in any one place. Learn about the heroic explorers of the icy continent and see objects from the Museum’s internationally significant Antarctic collection. Regular special exhibitions. Entry is free and donations are appreciated. Daily Museum tours at 2.00 pm. Book online of go to foyer 10 minutes beforehand.

The museum was established in 1867.

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.

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.[14] An estimated 95% of the collections were unharmed.[15] The statue of William Rolleston, located at the front of the museum, toppled off its plinth during the quake.[16] The museum reopened on 2...

I really loved my time at the Canterbury museum. I thought there was a really obvious intention to centre the stories of Tangata Whenua and to speak responsibly about the history of our indigenous cultures. I really appreciated this effort- though as pakeha it’s not my place to review how effective this was. My friend and I really enjoyed the interactive exhibits. I thought it was great that the museum was trialling the incorporation of more accessible features to help neurodiverse folk navigate and enjoy the museum. This emphasis on accessibility is extremely important and I really can’t say enough how important it is- especially in spaces like this which should be made for the community to share. I also included an image of the “beware of the glass” sign, because I laughed at it and made a joke about how some idiot must’ve walked into the glass, leading to the sign being installed. As I said that, I went to jokingly mime how one might walk into the glass. I ended up walking straight into the glass myself and hitting my head. It’s hard to see, and slanted in a deceptive manner. Don’t...

I recently paid a visit to the Canterbury Museum and came away with a mix of feelings. The museum's "Six Extinctions" exhibition was an absolute marvel – a powerful exploration of the planet's environmental history. 🌍🦕

However, I must admit, the art gallery is a different kind of experience. The New Zealand art on display is certainly something to appreciate, but it's essential to be open-minded. The freedom of speech expressed through the art is quite evident and, at times, not suitable for children. 🖼️🎨

Some pieces are thought-provoking, while others might be challenging, depending on your perspective. But this is where the museum offers a unique space for dialogue and artistic expression. 🗣️🇳🇿

While I wouldn't give it a full five stars due to the potential for sensitive content, I believe the Canterbury Museum is a place where you can explore the spectrum of human creativity, from the marvels of science to the depths of artistic expression. It's an experience that's definitely worth a visit. 🏛️🧐 #ArtandScience #FreedomofExpression...