“Would to God I had never heard the name of New Zealand”
“To tell you is a great task, for I can assure you it is a most awful country,” wrote James Boot... More »
Christchurch – Dull and as Flat as a Kitchen Table 1880′s
In 1886, an English woman who called herself ‘Hopeful’, wrote of her experiences after emigrating to Christchurch, New Zealand. She... More »
The Canterbury Ladies’ Slaves
Imagine you were born 100 years ago… what job would you have done? If you are female, part of the... More »
Domestic Maids and the Curse of the Bloody Handprint
This charming advertisement designed in 1913, was printed onto postcards and distributed at the New Zealand High Commission Office in... More »
S & H Nashelski’s Melbourne House
Beside Christchurch’s Town Hall, stood Solomon Nashelski’s hardware and ironmonger’s shop. Called Melbourne House, this small shop was later replaced... More »
Iconic Ice-cream Charlie, Cathedral Square
‘Ice Cream Charlie’ operated a well-known ice cream cart in Cathedral Square for much of the first half of the... More »
Von Sierakowski & Co, Corner of Colombo and Tuam Streets 1906
Oscar von Sierakowski’s factory and shop was built on the corner of Colombo and Tuam Streets in 1906. It boasted... More »
Deutsche Kirche, corner of Worcester and Montreal Streets, 1880
It is the year 1880 and Wilhelmina Arnst and John Christian Aschen have just married in the Deutsche Kirche, on... More »