Sir Julius von Haast (1824 – 1887)

Sir Julius von Haast was born Johann Franz Haast. “…a boy in heart until the day he died…” was once said about this German geologist. Before his journey to New Zealand in 1858, Julius traveled around Europe and married Antonia Schmitt. His studies of geology and mineralogy at Bonn University unbelievably were not his reasons …

The Canterbury Museum Opened – 3rd December 1867

On 3 December 1867, in an upstairs room in the Canterbury Provincial Chambers, German explorer, Sir Julius von Haast put his personal collections of geological finds on display, in what would become known as the Canterbury Museum. In his role of Provincial Geologist and Surveyor General, Julius explored the great rivers of Canterbury; drawing maps …