History

The Port Chalmers Maritime Museum is owned and operated by the Port Chalmers Historical Society Incorporated which was established in September 1913 as the Port Chalmers Early Settlers and Old Identities Association.

It is housed in the former Port Chalmers Post Office, opened in 1877 and registered as a Category 1 Historic Building by Heritage New Zealand. Prior to 19th century reclamation, the site was the beach in Koputai Bay where, on 23rd March 1848 the first settlers from the immigrant sailing ship, John Wickliffe, landed to establish the Port and the Province of Otago.

In partnership with Port Otago, the old post office building has been extensively renovated and is now linked by a glass extension and wide internal laneway to the new contemporary designed Port Otago annex. The latter was built on the site of the land adjacent to the post office in 2023 and is wrapped around the heritage museum while retaining the focal point on the museum. The light flooded extension holds the enormous wall of ships and historical artefacts and paintings. A public viewing gallery on the first level of the Port Otago Administrative Building offers commanding views of activities on the Container, Cruise ship and Logging Terminal.