Founding and Early Heritage

1895 – South Canterbury Art Society advocates for a public art gallery.

1905 – Aigantighe built, attributed to architect James S. Turnbull, for Alexander and Helen Grant.

1920 – Alexander Grant dies aged 89.

1955 (October) – Helen Grant dies aged 101; Jessie Wigley and James Grant gift Aigantighe to Timaru for use as a gallery.

Gallery Establishment and Growth

16 August 1956 – Aigantighe Art Gallery officially opens; South Canterbury Art Society gifts its civic collection.

Friends of Aigantighe

19 May 1975 – Gallery Committee discusses forming a Friends group.

20 May 1975 – Timaru Herald publishes article asking: “Should a Friends of the Art Gallery Committee be formed?”

7 August 1976 – Friends of Aigantighe founded with 300+ members.

30 June 1977 – Friends commission Francis Shurrock’s bronze sculpture Study from Life.

9 September 1978 – Study from Life unveiled; modern wing designed by Ronald Dohig opens.

1979 – Friends’ membership peaks at 594; gallery openings become major social events (“wine in, sherry out”).

1980 – Friends defend pottery exhibition; purchase Ian Spalding wall hanging ($975, supported by QEII Arts Council).

1981 – Friends fund stereo and chairs for gallery; launch Music at Five recital series.

1995 – Gallery expands with additional storeroom and office.

Seismic Closure, Heritage Restoration, and Reopening

2017 – Heritage House closed after seismic assessment (10% of New Building Standard).

Feb 2021 – Resource consent lodged, including archaeological and heritage impact assessments. Resource consent granted (Heritage NZ consulted); Friends pledge $25,000, matching Timaru Civic Trust.

2022 – Building consent approved; Farrell Construction begins seismic strengthening and restoration.

12 December 2024 – Heritage House Gallery officially reopens with modern climate control and fire suppression systems.