| Summary: | Between 1895 and 1917 (known as the heroic era of Antarctic exploration) a number of expeditions set out to explore and open Antarctica to the world. Given New Zealand’s proximity to the Ross Sea region of Antarctica, three of the heroic era expeditions departed and returned to/from Antarctica from the port of Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand. As a result of the longstanding relationship with the people of Canterbury, the province’s organisations such as the Canterbury Museum, Lyttelton Museum and Antarctic Heritage Trust collectively house one of the world’s leading publicly accessible artefact collections from this period of Antarctic exploration. A century on the public fascination with the expeditions remains. The upcoming centenary of one of the most famous of the expeditions, the British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition 1910-1913, led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, provides unique opportunities to celebrate and profile the expedition and its leader, a man who has gone on to become legendary in the world of exploration. This paper identifies key artefacts associated with the expedition currently held by Canterbury institutions which have been identified as potentially suitable for public exhibition. Criteria was based on factors such as historical significance, visual impact and their ability to be exhibited. The research undertaken reconfirms Canterbury’s status as holding a collection of world leading artefacts relating to this period of history. Artefacts uncovered, many never publicly displayed before, include personal items belonging to expedition members such as Herbert Ponting’s skis and Apsley CherryGarrard’s sledging mask and artefacts associated with some of Antarctica’s most notable feats of endurance.
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