Lyttelton Museum

* CLOSED - EARTHQUAKE VICTIM *

Lyttelton's museum found an appropriate home in an old building on an historic site. The immigration barracks (long since demolished) which greeted the Canterbury Association settlers in 1850 once stood on the land. The Seamen's Institute was built as a George V coronation memorial. The foundation stone was laid in December 1911 and the building opened in August 1912. The architect, L. Roy Smith, designed a Classical building with Edwardian Baroque tendencies. The building provided a social hall, library and other facilities for seamen on shore leave, as an alternative to the town's pubs. The interior was remodeled in 1967 and accommodated the museum from 1977. - John Wilson

The museum was a victim of the Lyttelton earthquake in February 2011 and the building has been demolished. However the collection has been saved, a new premises has been found and Warren and Mahoney chosen as the architects.

Have a listen to the audioguide to get the flavour of Lyttelton before the quakes. (Press Play above)