29 ~ ~~

David L. Harrowfield

The National Antarctic Centre, New Zealand Canterbur y Museum, Christchurch

30 David L. Harrowfiled

On 4 March 1977, the Duke of Edinburgh opened ew Zealand’s National Antarctic Centre at the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch. The centre, which is unique in the museum world, is designed to serve the Southern Hemisphere and honour the achievements of Antarctic explorers and scientists of all nations.

The Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, New ealand, was founded in 1870 and has a long history of association with Antarctica.

In 1867 Julius von Haast, the first director, exp sed an interest in possible effects of the Antarctic ice cap on the climate of land, however the museum’s association with Antarctica really began vember 1901. On that day S.S. Discovery of the British National Antarctic expedition (1901-04) arrived in Lyttelton, the port of Christchurch, for maintenance and to take on

surgeon, zoologist and artist, worked in the museum and on his return deposited a selection of Antarctic natural history specimens. Commander R, F. Scott, leader of the expedition, also presented a man-hauling sledge and other items of equipment.

le the expedition was in Lyttelton, Dr Edward

29 In the Historical Seaion, the exploration of the Antarctic is evoked by historical relics and explained with the aid of bright colour schemes. This display deals with the Southern Cross (1898-1900) and Discuve9 (1901-04) expeditions.

By 1906 the museum was able to present to the public its first Antarctic nat- ural history exhibit, which remained for many years until it was dismantled dur- ing constnuction of the Provincial Centennial Wing. The collections were further enriched as a result of visits by members of Ernest Shackleton’s Nimrod expedi- tion (1907-09), Scott’s Terra Nova expedition (1910-13), and in 1909 Edgar

aite, the director, obtained an 87-foot skeleton of the Antarctic blue whale. This outstanding specimen is one of only a few exhibited in the world.

In 1937 the museum’s hi ent era began with the appoint- ment of a professional museum ert A. Falla, who had earlier dis- tinguished himself as one of t rs with Sir Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic expedition ( 1929- 3 1 esigned in 1947, his successor, Dr Roger S . Duff3 with his enthusiastic and dedicated foresight and interest, provided a permanent repository for the extensive Antarctic collection.

Following the opening of the Provincial Centennial ng in 1958, museum staff considered the possibility of setting up a new display featuring some aspect of the natural history of Antarctica or the International Geophysical Year (1957- 58). That scheme never came to fruition. In 1964, following his return from

The National Antarctic Centre, New Zealand 31

a research tour overseas, the museum’s senior display preparator, the late R. J. Jacobs, suggested the establishment of a major exhibition highlighting Antarctic exploration and research. By then the director had already recom- mended the construction of a substantial new wing to commemorate the museum’s first 100 years and it soon became apparent that an Antarctic centre would be a major component. At this time the New Zealand Government’s Antarctic Division was also considering the formation of a national Antarctic museum where relics of historic interest not to be replaced in the restored huts of Scott and Schackleton could be exhibited. In February 1965 the Canterbury Museum Trust Board adopted the museum’s ambitious plan, which was warmly received by the public, the government’s Antarctic Division, and, prominent institutions and personalities associated with global or Antarctic exploration overseas. The project was now recognized as one of national importance which would be unique in the world, and a major appeal for funds launched in April 1972 was well supported by the community and the New Zealand Government which provides a substantial subsidy. The construction of the One Hundredth Anniversary Wing commenced on 13 September 1973.

30 Reconstruction of the interior of an early hut from the ‘heroic era’ of Antarctic exploration (1 901- 17). Authentic relics have been included and moonlight through the double glazed window has helped to create the atmosphere for which the early huts on Ross Island are well known.

32 David L. Harrowfield

onal Antarctic Centre, which is located on the second floor and mezza- nine of the 31,000-square foot One Hundredth Anniversary a major exhibition hall, reference library, audio-visual theatre, and reception lounge with adjoining pictorial history gallery. A passenger lift providing access to the complex for the first time, enables visitors in wheelchairs to have complete circulation of a!l museum galleries.

The purpose of the new 56 $$-foot hall is to provide a series of displays which will serve as a permanent memorial to Antarctic explorers and scientists of all nations, and to convey at a popular level of education the continuing results of their research into the unique environment of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands. The three sections are concerned with exploration and discovery, scien- tific research and natural history.

In the first section Antarctic exploration is traced from the time of Captain Cook‘s second voyage (1772-73) to the early expeditions of Adnniral Richard E. Byrd. The display cases contain many authentic relics, and special attention has been paid to the ‘heroic a’ (1 901- 17) of British exploration. Three mini dioramas portray Cook‘s olzttion and Adventwe surrounded by ice- bergs as recorded by his artist, odges; the crew of a whaling boat har- pooning a large sperm whale; and the polar party man-hauling their sledge dur- ing Scott’s last expedition (1910-13). A unique exhibit is the reconstructed inte-

31 The history section is made attractive not only by the contents of the showcases but also by the use of natural wood covering. Schoolchildren listening to a lesson on the exploration of the Antarctic.

rior of a typical Antarctic hut from the ‘heroic era’ containing provisions, items of clothing and equipment (Fig 30). Free-standing exlabits include a sledge from Roald Amundsen’s Norwegian expedition ( 19 1 O- 12)’ the mechanized tractor sledge unsuccessfully used by Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Ross Sea Shore party (1 9 14- 17), one of three Massey-Ferguson tractors with which Sir Edmund S 1 - lary reached the South Pole on 14 January 1958 during the Commonwealth Trans Antarctic expedition (1955-58), and brome busts of Amundsen, Byrd and Scott. P.he museum is also fortunate to have Sir Vivian Fuchs’ §no-cat vehicle Able which completed the crossing of the continent. Because of its size, this valued exhibit has been installed within a special shelter in the museum’s garden court where the blue whale skeleton is also located, suspended beneath the ceil- ing overhang of the Antarctic library. Perhaps the most eye-catching aspects of the historical section are the attractive case interiors and use made of natural tim- bers for the exterior surrounds. This includes 7.5-centimetre cedar shiplap fastened with copper nails, and 10-centimetre Oregon for corner pillars pig. 3 I ) . The main purpose has been to demonstrate that man’s survival in Antarctica during the ‘heroic era’ of exploration was dependent on wooden ships and huts. Historic relics were restored sufficiently to make them presentable for exhibition yet also retain their original appearance.

Of particular interest in the section concerned with scientific research, which

The National Antarctic Centre, New Zealand 33

overlaps the natural history section, are the many attractive and informative dis-

ciology, meteorology (Fig. 33) and oceanography. In each exhibit mention has been made of early work with some emphasis given to New Zealand’s contrib- ution. Historic relics, examples of present-day equipment, and specimens have been included where possible, and the main purpose of the section is to portray the variety of scientific research conducted in Antarctica. To meet the needs of the geology section, the museum’s geologist, Margaret Bradshaw, made two spe- cial trips to Antarctica during the 1975/76 and 1976/77 summer seasons. As á result of her field work, a large collection of rocks and fossils was obtained from central Victoria Land and Ross Island. Additional specimens were obtained by exchange with field parties from other countries. Geological displays include the geology of Antarctica, a detailed geology of Victoria Land.and the volcanicity of Ross Island in McMurdo Sound. An electronic model demonstrates Antarctica’s position during the process of continental drift, and model reconstructions of Devonian fish and Triassic land reptiles supply additional interest. In this section, brightly coloured panels of Formica have been used and the technique of presenting unglazed open displays applied, allowing visitors to touch certain geological specimens, while the remainder have been placed behind glazed panels or within Perspex boxes.

32 Scientific Research Section. Geology. Fish

Scott’s Terra NOVU expedition (1910-13). Plays dealing with physics, geology pig‘ 32) and geomo~hology, da- fossils from the Devonian period, found durhg

34 David L. Harrowfield

Advance preparations for the installation of the natural history section included several visits to the Antarctica by Maurice Cody, a Christchurch artist, and the museum's oology Curator, Geoffrey Tunnicliffe. The section is domi- nated by three large dioramas portraying aspects of the natural history of Ross Island (Fig? 2gj 35(a)). Shells for these dioramas, measuring 2.3 metres high, 1.8 metres deep and 3,65 metres wide, were constructed using a technique suc- cessfully applied in Canada for Expo '67. Basically a 16 cubic metre balloon was constructed from Butyl rubber (0.004 gauge) and following idation two coats of PVA2 separator and one of opaque white gelcoat slightly diluted with styrene monomer applied. Fibreglassing using thyxotropic polyester laminating resin and 55 gram chopped strand matte cloth was then carried out and following de- flation of the balloon, the interior of the shell was sprayed with three coats of plastic off-white pint. For the weddell seal and emperor penguin diorama fore- grounds, fibreglass was also used to create ice and powdered borax and alum provided snow.

Other displays in this section include Antarctic birds, life on the sea floor, the complex food chain of the southern ocean, scale models of whales, and whale exploitation. In an acoustics booth, visitors can hear sounds on a three-minute loop tape, with commentary, of weddell seals beneath the sea ice and h m p -

33 backed whales. A mechanical model demonstrates the principle of echo location used by whales and dolphins.

With an area of 185 square metres and combining both reference facilities and two study rooms, the library will serve as a continuing public information centre in Antarctica (Fig. 36). Special emphasis has been placed on historical literature (especially the exploration of the Ross Dependency) and the natural sciences, including research undertaken in Antarctica and the sub- Antarctic islands. The

35 The National Antarctic Centre, New Zealand

33 Scientific Research Section. Meteorology. Presentation of meteorology work done during the e'arly expeditions to the sophisticated studies undertaken in Antarctica today. Early and recent equipment.

34 Antarctic energy cycle. This colourful panel demonstrates the cycle as it applies to the southern ocean whose waters are regarded as being the richest in the world.

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35(Q), (b) Natural History Section. Large dioramas: (a) adelie penguins and skua gulls at Cape Royds, Ross Island (Antarctica); (b) wedell seal and pup amongst ice pressure ridges near Scott Base, Ross Island.

main component consists of an extensive collection of books acquired over a long period by P. J. Skellerup, Chairman of the Canterbury Museum Trust Board. The family of the late Leslie B. Quartermainl presented a large and important collection of books and manuscripts. Also held in the library'are peri- odicals, serials, an extensive collection of scientific reprints and pamphlets, maps, photographs, and a valuable collection of manuscripts, including letters and ori- ginal diaries. A number of brome busts of Antarctic explorers are also exhibited. Because of the association with cold-region exploration, the Canterbury Museum was chosen in 1968 as the national repository for archives and relics of New ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ' ~ t ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Zealand alpine interest. author of two major historical works on Antarctica.

David L. Harrodield 36

36 Reading room of the P. J. Skellerup Antarctic Library.

With the entrance beneath suspended flags of the original twelve Antarctic Treaty signatory nations, the attractive theatre endowed by the late Alison McLeod MacGibbon, will be a popular venue for lectures on Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands. Films and slides dealing with early exploration and illus- trating current activities of the Antarctic nations will be screened on a monthly roster system. In addition, special use will be made of the theatre by the museum’s Education Section which last year taught lessons to over 45,000 schoolchildren.

In October 1870, when the Canterbury Museum was established on its present site, the population of Christchurch was only 12,000. However, the museum which specializes in New Zealand pre-history, natural history, early colonial his- tory (and now Antarctica), was the wonder of the community and became widely known as ‘the finest south of the line’. Today, serving a city of 276,000, it continues to enjoy an international reputation, and is well known for its attrac- tive galleries, and the quality of its popular education services.

ew Zealand‘s Antarctic Division, offices of the United States Antarctic Support Force and National Science Foun- dation, and considering the city’s long association with Antarctica, Canterbury Museum is an ideal site for an Antarctic centre. In the first instance the centre will serve as a repository for historic relics, scientific specimens and archives. It will also foster the development of research, and the natural-history displays will increase public interest, especially the need for conservation with expanding development in the region. Most important, however, the National Antarctic Centre will serve as a symbol of the vital role played by New Zealand in Antarc- tic affairs.

ith the location in Christchurch of

The displays in the new gallery represent the most ambitious and difficult project undertaken by the museum’s staff in recent years, and were made possible by a substantial grant from the National Science Foundation, ashington &Jnited States). The exhibition is also the largest and most comprehensive on Antarctica in the world to date and, since it has been so recently completed, has involved

The National Antarctic Centre, New Zealand 37

the use of the latest display techniques and materials. To ensure accuracy in pres- entation, many scientific organizations were consulted and considerable assist- ance was given by the New Zealand Government’s Antarctic Division. The lib- rary was also established with assistance from H. G. R. IGng, Librarian at the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge (United Kingdom), who spent three months at the museum.

The most successful parts of the exhibition are the large natural-history dior- amas which capture the true spirit of Antarctica. The availability of materials such as fibreglass, coupled with high-quality taxidermy, has contributed to the success of this section. The acoustics booth adjoining the weddell seal diorama has also been surprisingly successful, and demonstrates the value of this type of exhibit. In the displays featuring the early exploration and discovery of Antarc- tica, the interesting variety of historic relics and their method of presentation, together with well annotated captions, has also made this section very popular with the public. With the gallery only recently completed it is perhaps too early to say whether some sections could have been treated differently.

However, since Christchurch is the gateway for many Antarctic activities, I am confident the Canterbury Museum’s second century will be as successful as the first.

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38 MUSSE DE BRETAGNE, Rennes. Section of contemporary history. Partial view of level 1. From left to right, automatic documentation screen (Carousel SRA Kodak, 6. Table 1, audio-visual means A), film screen (tables, audio-visual means B), screen for slide sequence, showcase.