Yaldhurst Museum

Story

The Yaldhurst Museum is located in the suburb of Yaldhurst, Christchurch, New Zealand, close to Christchurch International Airport, Riccarton Race Course and Ruapuna Speedway. The museum has a large collection of road transport vehicles, and it opened to the public in 1968.HistoryThe museum was established by Alfred Thornhill Cooper, also known as Jake Cooper. He began collecting vehicles in 1950 and in 1963 purchased his ancestral home Dudley House at Yaldhurst, to build his museum. The property had a two-story colonial style dwelling built in 1876, two stables and small shed on 8acre of land. Additional display and storage facilities were constructed, and the museum opened to the public on Boxing Day 26 December 1968. The original name was Yaldhurst Museum of Transport and Science.ExhibitsMany of the exhibits are displayed in their original condition and include cars, racing cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, scooters, power-cycles, horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, tractors, agricultural equipment, stationary engines, military items and fire engines. Also at the museum is the original Yaldhurst School building relocated in April 1984.