It initially focussed on securing Ashburton Borough Council land on West Street, but permission was not forthcoming so their efforts were devoted to fundraising instead.

[8] The Ashburton Historical Society, led by Harry Scotter, Ethel McQuilkin, and Ellis Woods, first met on 30 October 1958.

[9] In 1974 one of the former Ashburton Technical School buildings space became available in Cameron Street, and museum began moving into the more spacious rooms in 1976.

[9] She was replaced that year by Rita Wright who with the assistance of the Historical Society committee catalogued the collection, initially on a cross-referenced card system and eventually databasing it in PastPerfect.

[1] These offices, designed by Christchurch-based Cecil Wood and local architect W. Thomas,[14] were opened on 7 April 1938, and following additions and alterations in the 1960s and 1974 were still in use, so the option was not considered.

In November 1992 they received a $245,000 grant from the Lottery Board, matching a similar amount already raised, the building was leased for a peppercorn rental in December 1994 and work began.

[1] The Art Gallery and Museum moved into this refurbished space in September 1995, the museum having the ground floor and the art gallery the top floor, and the building was formally opened on September 16th by Deputy Mayor Joy Harris and local MP Jenny Shipley.

[9] The museum built interactive ground-floor galleries, and developed map and photograph storage facilities in the former County Council strongroom.

[19] By this time the Ashburton Trust had decided against purchasing the Baring Street building, but the District Council resolved to continue with the project.

[22][23] The $6.3 million building had become controversial, with a street protest by 2000 residents, a petition with 4200 signatures, and over 180 public submissions opposing it and the projected 1.7 per cent rates rise it would entail.

[19] The museum closed its Baring Street premises in May 2014 and spent three months moving collections into the new exhibition space and Heritage Centre in the completed building.

[25] The exhibition space included a working model of Canterbury irrigation, a wall of 200 portraits, and a soundtrack that combines the sound of the nor-west wind with a specially written waiata.