Throughout the closing decades of the nineteenth century, New Zealand was undergoing rapid population growth and huge urban development. Factors such as improved transportation and an influx of steam-powered woodworking equipment gave rise to a new kind of house: the iconic villa. A family sitting on the veranda of their lonely rural villa, somewhere in... Continue Reading →
Albert Ager was an architect from Christchurch who briefly made his mark in Ashburton during the late 1890s and early 1900s. Ager trained at the School of Architecture at Canterbury College, Christchurch. It seems that before coming to Ashburton, he lectured at the School of Art. He delivered a series of lectures on the history... Continue Reading →
Small museums a great way to learn more about the rich heritage that people share, and a good reminder of how important museums are to our communities. After all, they only exist because they are so popular. There are 13 museums in the Ashburton District – including 12 heritage museums and one art gallery. All are... Continue Reading →
Ashburton is known for its many beautiful houses - most in a Cape Cod style, designed from 1923 by local architect William ‘Billy’ Thomas (Born Wakanui 1891, died Ashburton 1967), who was later joined in practice by his business partner Garner Hannaford (Hank) Ward. The Billy Thomas Archive is held at Ashburton Museum - it forms a unique... Continue Reading →
Ashburton Museum Blog 