The first meeting of the Canterbury Pilgrims and Early Settlers Association was held on 8 October 1923.
Membership of the group, first called the Canterbury Pilgrims Association, was initially restricted to the remaining European settlers who arrived in Canterbury before March 1851, as well as their descendants.
Membership rules were later widened, but they highlighted the historical significance of families who arrived on one of the “first four ships”– Randolph, Cressy, Sir George Seymour and Charlotte Jane – sent out by the Canterbury Association in 1850.
Current members include descendants of those who arrived during the initial years of structured European settlement in Canterbury, before the Canterbury Provincial Council was abolished on 31 October 1876, as well as others who have an interest in Canterbury’s history.
Canterbury Pilgrims Association membership badge, donated by Rose Reynolds. Canterbury Museum 1994.176.184