Canterbury College Heritage Collection

When Canterbury College officially began teaching in 1873, it was home to just 87 students. Over the next 150 years, the University of Canterbury has grown significantly and evolved into into a world-class institution whose teachers and students have had a notable impact on the local, national and international stages.

Between 2020 and 2022 a UC project team conducted a survey of heritage artefacts within the University that have links to the original Canterbury College site, (which is now The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora). The survey gathered information on objects that would bring to life the narrative of the University’s early history as we commemorate the 150th anniversary in 2023.

These heritage artefacts include tools, furniture, instruments, regalia, or general memorabilia that have come from the Canterbury College site or were used by College staff and students between 1873 and 1957. Objects and stories uncovered by the survey demonstrate the rich history of research and teaching at the University of Canterbury over the past 150 years. This exhibition explores a selection of those arefacts, with particular emphasis on those which speak to classroom experiences, methods of teaching, and innovation in research, as well as exploring a few of the significant individuals who made UC what it is today.