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Extraordinary Frontiers;Cawthron Science, Innovation and Mysteries from our Environment is an interactive exhibition presenting past and present Cawthron Institute research and science.
Thomas Cawthron, F N Jones Collection: 312247 (part of)
Thomas Cawthron died on the 8th October 1915. He bequeathed £231,000, a large part of his estate, for the development of an industrial and technical school, institute and museum to be called Cawthron Institute.
When Cawthron Institute was opened in 1921 its aim was to do research "of benefit to the region and the dominion". Thomas Easterfield, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Victoria University College, was its first Director.
The early work of Cawthron Institute focused on soils, agriculture and biochemistry. It played an important role in stimulating government scientific research. In Cawthron Institute, the legacy lives on, in a reputation for enterprise and excellence in scientific research and consultancy. Ninety years on Cawthron Institute is recognised nationally and internationally for its science and research achievements.
Today Cawthron Institute is a unique organisation in New Zealand - the country's largest, independent, "not for profit" research centre. The key areas of research that Cawthron Institute is involved in include:
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Cawthron, the Cawthron Institute Trust Board have funded the Nelson Provincial Museum to help create an exhibition that will bring some of this science and technology to public attention in a way that will be both enjoyable and educational.
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