Heritage & History

Chronology of the Site

1873 University of Canterbury founded
1877 Clock Tower and classrooms opened
1878 Christchurch Girls' High School
1881 Christchurch Boys' High School
1882 Great Hall
1887 School of Engineering founded now houses Southern Ballet
1888 Classics Block added to Great Hall
1896 Biological Lab (Observatory)
1908 Boys' High Gym, now Academy Cinema
1910 Chemistry Building
1916 - 1917 Library built and quadrangles formed
1917 West (Hight) Block, currently University Theatre and Residential
1923 Last major building, Engineering extension
1926 Boys' High moves to new site
1929 Students Association
1952 First TV broadcast in new Zealand on site
1953 Fire in Little Theatre destroys part of Old Boys' High interior
1974 University of Canterbury completes move to Ilam. Arts Centre of Christchurch Inc established
1976 Court Theatre moves onsite into the old Engineering Extension
1978 The Arts Centre officailly takes over ownership of the site to manage change from University to cultural centre

Tours: Free tours are available from Arts Centre Information