Rutherford’s Den
Rutherford’s Den, a world-class multimedia visitor experience celebrating the life and work of great New Zealand scientist Ernest, Lord Rutherford, is to benefit from a significant sponsorship partnership with the University of Canterbury.
The 19th century arts lecture theatre has been preserved as part of Rutherford's Den in the Arts Centre of Christchurch.
Rutherford is one of the University’s most illustrious graduates. His original student laboratory at Canterbury College — now the Arts Centre of Christchurch — is the den’s central exhibition space.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome the University as naming rights sponsor for Rutherford’s Den, particularly in this the centenary year of Rutherford receiving the Nobel Prize,” said Jenny May, Chair of the Rutherford’s Den Trust Board.
“The University’s three-year sponsorship will make a major contribution to ensuring the den continues to educate and tell the story of Rutherford’s days at Canterbury College and how he went on to become one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century.”
Rutherford’s Den trustee, Associate Professor Peter Cottrell (Physics and Astronomy), said the sponsorship of Rutherford’s Den by UC provided opportunities across the whole campus to make connections with UC’s most famous graduate.
“The den is the place where Rutherford began his university career, first as an undergraduate student in a range of subjects and then his initial steps as a scientist.”
The sponsorship agreement would allow the University to use the den to showcase its current staff and students in a “significant historical setting”.
One of the key objectives of the den was to inspire the Rutherfords of the future through its school education programme.
“Primary, intermediate and secondary school students and their families will see the UC connection. This is a symbiotic and natural relationship, where students visiting the den as part of its Ministry of Education-funded programme will add value to their visit by linking with the College of Science’s Outreach programme.”
Professor Cottrell said every New Zealander should know that Rutherford was a UC graduate.