29 July 2008
Record Visitor Numbers at Canterbury Museum
A combination of popular special exhibitions, a guest performer and wintry weather contributed to the record visitor
numbers at Canterbury Museum over the weekend. The 3,912 visitors coming through the Museum on Sunday 27 July made it
the busiest day ever, with a total of 6,704 visitors over both days.
Director Anthony Wright said, “Da Vinci Machines has been very successful so far. It seems to have struck a chord with a
wide range of people, from children who are fascinated by the interactive working models, to serious engineers who spend
hours looking at the inventions in great detail. It has been fantastic to see so many people visiting the Museum and
enjoying the exhibition.”
An additional drawcard to Da Vinci Machines over the weekend was Ken Benn, a Palmerston North author and storyteller who
takes on the role of Leonardo da Vinci and engages visitors to the exhibition, giving context and meaning to the
sketches and models on display. Blending wit and humour with history and physics, Benn takes visitors on an intriguing
journey through the life and times of one of the greatest minds in history.
Da Vinci Machines is on at Canterbury Museum until 28 September and Ken Benn will return for more performances on 30, 31
August and 27, 28 September. Four performances are scheduled on each of the days, taking approximately 75 minutes per
session. Bookings for the performances are not necessary and tour times can be found at www.canterburymuseum.com.
Admission to Da Vinci Machines: Adult $12, child $8 (under 5 free), family (2 adults and 2 children) $35.00. General
admission to Canterbury Museum is free; donations are appreciated. Canterbury Museum is located on Rolleston Avenue, in
the Cultural Precinct, next to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and opposite The Arts Centre on Worcester Boulevard.
ENDS