"it was a fortunate day for Wanganui when he settled here"

Wanganui Herald 26 November 1903

Samuel Drew, Museum Founder

Samuel Drew was an Englishman who came to Wanganui in 1864. He set up business as a jeweller and watchmaker, married Catherine Beatson and together they raised eight children.

Drew was involved in community activities through his interest in sport and music but his greatest passion was the study of natural history. At first, he collected for himself and as an education tool to encourage his children. Later, with the help of his whole family, he exchanged specimens with other collectors around the world. He published the results of his research in the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute and was made a fellow of the London-based Linnean Society.

When his own house became too crowded, Drew offered his collection to Wanganui as the basis of a public museum.

In 1892 Drew transferred his collection to the new Wanganui Public Museum in Drew's Avenue. He was appointed Honorary Curator and continued to collect and organise displays until his sudden death in 1901 at the age of 57.

The Whanganui Regional Museum is a lasting memorial to Samuel Drew's vision of providing a comprehensive resource for comparative study and public education. Decades before television and at a time when even coloured illustrations in books were rare, Wanganui people could see specimens of animals and birds, rocks and minerals and cultural objects from all around the world. His comprehensive collection founded an institution of national and international renown.