Digital exhibitions
Visit Tūranga and other libraries to see regular exhibitions of heritage images from Canterbury Stories.
- 1973!, opens a new window
- A view through time, opens a new window
- Along Colombo Street, opens a new window
- Around the Square, opens a new window
- Celebrating Summer!, opens a new window
- Elephants, opens a new window
- Factories everywhere!, opens a new window
- Highlights from Photo Hunt 2022, opens a new window
- Highlights from the Samuel Anstey collection
- In 1960s living colour!, opens a new window
- Into the station, opens a new window
- Learning to Teach!, opens a new window
- Let's go to the Show!, opens a new window
- Life in 1970, opens a new window
- Our Great War, opens a new window
- Photo Hunt - Celebrating your stories, opens a new window
- Picnic Season!, opens a new window
- Rethink, Renew and Rebuild, opens a new window
- Summertime Antics, opens a new window
- Sun, Sand and Saltwater, opens a new window
- The Friendly Games, opens a new window
- The world was watching, opens a new window
- To be on Stage!, opens a new window
- Want to go out for a bite to eat?, opens a new window
Sun, Sand and Saltwater: Summertime fun at the beach!
Our local beaches have always been locations for summertime activities and leisure. Explore these highlights from our collection that celebrate having a good time in the sun, sand and saltwater.
Let's go to the Show!
The first agricultural show in Canterbury was held by the Canterbury Pastoral Association in 1859. By 1918, the Friday of Show Week had become People’s Day at the Show and large numbers of town and country people visited. Some time between 1955 and 1958, the official holiday for the anniversary day of the province was moved from 16 December (the date of the arrival of the First Four Ships) to People’s Day (the second Friday in November).
The range of events included livestock parades and competitions, dog trials, woodchopping, machinery displays and carnival rides.
Related pages
Along Colombo Street
Did you know that Colombo Street is 6.2km long? It runs from Edgeware Road all the way to the bottom of the Port Hills and has bridges going over the Avon River/Ōtakaro, the railway line and the Heathcote River/Ōpāwaho. Until 1965 you could even drive straight through Cathedral Square to stay on Colombo Street all the way from end to end! Journey along Colombo Street in this exhibition that also travels around in time.
Celebrating your stories
Highlights from our annual Photo Hunt which includes images that were Winning and Highly commended entries from Photo Hunt. These images show the variety of stories that have been shared and contributed.
Gateway to Antarctica
Christchurch has acted as a Gateway to Antarctica for many years.
Visit our page about Antarctica for more, and information on the Days of Ice event.
Antarctic resources
Here's to the Queen
Celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) through her various visits to Christchurch.
Around the Square
Cathedral Square, the heart of the city, is one of the notable locations in Christchurch. Throughout its history it has been a place for citizens to gather in worship, celebration, or to pursue recreation. Move around Cathedral Square with a selection of images from our collection over time.
Factories everywhere!
Did you know that Christchurch was full of factories once upon a time? Producing all sorts of things like carpet, cars, lollies, ice cream, paint brushes, golf balls, and shoes.
Highlights from the Samuel Anstey collection
Highlights from the Samuel Anstey collection of glass plate negatives. Anstey was an early Antigua Boat Sheds owner who took many photos creating a remarkable record of the early 1900s.
In 1960s living colour!
Explore Christchurch through 1960s vibrant colour.
Into the Station
Celebrating trains and the Christchurch Railway Station.
Learning to Teach!
The Teachers College in Christchurch originally operated from the Normal School at the corner of Montreal and Kilmore Streets from 1873. They eventually required their own site and the foundation stone was laid in 1924 on the corner of Montreal and Peterborough Streets and the Post Primary Department took over this building. By the 1960s these sites were becoming overcrowded and out dated. It was decided to relocate to Ilam and the new Teachers College opened 50 years ago on April 22 1970. This was initially just the Secondary Division with the Primary Division remaining in town until the late 1970s when the rest of the Ilam site was completed.
Life in 1970
Can you believe that 1970 is now half a century ago? Explore some of what was happening 50 years ago through our collection.
Rethink, Renew and Rebuild
The changing landscape of the city as it rebuilds after the Canterbury earthquake sequence.
Summertime Antics
Some highlights from our collection showing summertime activities around Canterbury.
The world was watching
Looking back at the 1981 Springbok Tour. Protests and controversy about South Africa, racism and sport had been around in varying degrees since 1921 but came to a head with the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour.
To be on Stage!
The desire to perform for others and be the center of attention is strong for some, while others prefer to stay in the audience.
