Benefactor Paul Endacott (13 July 1902 to 8 January 1997)

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During a visit to the museum in July 1959, which at that time was housed in the tower of Ashburton Grammar School, Paul Endacott, who was born and lived in Kansas, said he would be pleased to make a contribution of Native American relics to the museum in memory of his father, Frank Charles Endacott who was born in Ashburton in 1871 and attended the grammar school in St Lawrence Lane. 

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When Frank was about ready to enter the Ashburton Grammar School, the last of the great Indian battles took place.  It was “Custer’s Last Stand” and the Sioux Indians (the war bonnet is a Sioux item) completely wiped out every member of the US Cavalry under General Custer. 

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When the museum relocated to its current site in 1968, Paul donated $200 towards cabinets to display the artefacts, which can be seen on 3rd floor of the museum.