Winter Weather!

On a week that has been bitterly cold with rain, hail, sleet, and a sprinkling of snow, it seems fitting to highlight this image from the Collection, which also features as the July photo in the Museum calendar. There were significant snow storms that affected Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour in 1862, 1895, 1896, 1901, 1918, 1945, 1992, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. In early years, snowfalls could be deadly, especially in inland Canterbury where stock losses were high and a few farmers died of exposure. In Ōhinehou/Lyttelton, problems associated with big snowfalls were usually to do with flooding, power outages, and business closures. For these lucky children on Winchester Street, school was probably out and the snow was a delightful novelty. The walls of the old Gaol site and early cottages on St Davids Street are clearly visible. No doubt there are folks out there who have memories of this big snowfall?

Copies of the 2022 Museum calendar will be available in October/November this year and make a great present for lovers of history.

Snowy street scene, 1900 – 1950 (probably 1945). Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum ref 7786.1

https://www.teuaka.org.nz/online-collection/1127948