In 1965, respected historian Baden Norris (QSO, NZAM) was perusing historic copies of the Lyttelton Times in the local library when he came across someone’s decomposing fish and chip dinner lodged between the pages of his intended research material.

Incensed, Baden wrote to the Council about the state of Lyttelton’s historical assets. He suggested that, if an area could be found, the port town might, someday, boast its own museum. The idea quickly gained public support, and the Council made space available in the former Shipping Company Headquarters on Hawkhurst Road.

Lyttelton Museum officially opened its doors in 1969. Through the dedicated efforts of a team of local volunteers and donors, the Museum’s collection grew, as did the organisation. Baden served as the Curator of Lyttelton Museum, while simultaneously working in the Port and later as Curator of Antarctic Collections at Canterbury Museum. In 1980, the Museum moved to the former Merchant Navy Centre at 2 Gladstone Quay. For the next three decades it continued to develop and thrive within the historic brick building.

Then, in September 2010, the devastating magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck, causing significant damage to the premises and forcing the Museum to close. The 6.3 magnitude February 2011 earthquake followed, damaging the building beyond hope of repair.

With the collection at risk, the Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade and staff from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand staged emergency recovery operations, rescuing the precious artefacts.

Sadly, the building was demolished, leaving the community without its much-loved Museum.

As careful stewards, our committee was happy to make the decision to rebuild in 2016.

In 2017 the Christchurch City Council gifted us the site of 33/35 London Street. A literal home to build the foundation for our future Museum.