Canterbury Museum invites you to explore its hidden treasures stored in the temporary collections area. The free public tours offer a glimpse into 150 years of history in just 60 minutes.
These treasures are awaiting their display in the museum’s upcoming redevelopment. While the museum undergoes a $262 million rebuild, the collections are safely stored for future exhibition.
The museum recently requested additional funding of $64 million from councils and central government to cover the cost overruns in the redevelopment project. Originally budgeted at $205 million, the project now stands at almost $262 million due to construction costs and funding delays.
Highlights of the tours include the 4.6-tonne blue whale skeleton, a collection of large pounamu boulders, and visitor favorites like the Sno-Cat that journeyed across Antarctica and the giant Irish elk skeleton. Museum staff, including curators and experts, will guide the tours and share insights about the collections.
Canterbury Museum’s main director, Anthony Wright, emphasized the importance of the museum’s collection, which consists of 2.3 million objects. He encouraged visitors to take part in the special tours to experience unique objects that will be displayed in the redeveloped museum.
Limited tickets are available for these exclusive tours, so booking in advance is recommended to secure a spot. In addition, Wright urged the community to support the museum’s fundraising efforts to complete the construction phase of the redevelopment.
To show your support, you can participate in the Christchurch City Council’s consultation process, opening soon. By backing the museum’s bid for additional funding, you can contribute to preserving and showcasing these special and wonderful objects for future generations to enjoy.
