Chesney Wold

• unknown
• (original plans cannot be accessed)
• 1946
• 372 Karori Road, tool shed (00056:326:B25424)
• 1960
• 372 Karori Road, convert dwelling to 4 flats (00058:140:C6645)
• 1983
• 372 Karori Road, flat additions and alterations (00058:0:C64009)
• 1990
• 372 Karori Road, carport (00059:375:E19872)
• 1998
• 372 Karori Road, verandah addition and internal alterations (00078:1261:41386)

• unknown
• Not assessed

Not assessed

As the house has undergone a number of changes and alterations, it would take a careful examination of Chesney Wold to determine how much of the original or early fabric of the house remains today. Photographic and documentary evidence indicate several major alterations, not just to the main elevations but to the whole layout and the orientation of the house. Its original orientation and main entrance was on the north side, whereas today the main entrance is on the street (east side). The central porch on this side has a gabled roof and arched opening supported on a column on either side. The porch and door opens off a brick lined driveway, which with trees and grass, forms a pleasant setting for the house back from the road. The east façade now has narrow French doors at both ground and first floor levels, the first floor doors opening out onto a verandah. 

The wall cladding is rusticated weatherboards, with a bracketed cornice forming the finish at roof level; both these elements could be original, as they are shown in early images of this side of the house. The roof is corrugated iron.  

Chesney Wold is located in Karori, one of Wellington’s earliest suburbs. The porch and door of the house opens off a brick lined driveway, which with trees and grass, forms a pleasant setting for the house back from the road. The house is mostly obscured from the street, meaning that the house has only modest townscape values. There are good views of Karori, the Karori stream, and the encircling hills from the area around the house. 

• Architectural

  Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

  The house has some architectural interest, not for its design features, but for the long history of change that has seen it transformed it in major ways. Its complex physical history makes it an exemplar of the adaptability of timber buildings and the ability to respond to changing needs.  

• Townscape

  Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

  The house is situated in a pleasant garden setting and it contributes to the character of the surrounding group of suburban houses. It is not particularly prominent in the streetscape, so has only modest townscape values. 

• Association

  Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

  This house has historical value for its association with its original owner Stephen Lancaster, a prominent early Wellingtonian, and with the Beauchamp family and Katherine Mansfield. It is also historically important for its age, as it is among the city’s older houses. 

• Archaeological

  Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

  The house was constructed pre 1900 making it an archaeological site under the Historic Places Act. The risk is unknown, but there is a high likelihood of accidental discovery. 

• Technological

  Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

  There could be significant technical value in the materials and methods of construction if it can be determined which (if any) sections are original to the 1866 building. 

• Identity Sense of place Continuity

  Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

  This house contributes to the sense of place and continuity in Karori due to its long standing place on the street and its significant historical associations.

• Public esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  This house is held in high public esteem due to its association with Katherine Mansfield and her writing. The restoration of the house in the 1980s was partially a response to those interested in Mansfield and her legacy becoming concerned with the appearance of the house. 

• Authentic

  Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

  This house has been through a number of major alterations, but some rusticated weatherboards and the bracketed cornice forming the finish at roof level could be original. 

• Local Regional National International

  Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

  Chesney Wold is a locally important building with some nationally important historical associations. It is best known for its association with Katherine Mansfield and as the setting for several of her stories. The alterations and modifications that have occurred have impacted significantly upon its heritage values as it is difficult to determine whether any of the 1866 fabric remains. 

• Representative

  Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

  Chesney Wold has been significantly altered from the time of its original construction, and since the time that Katherine Mansfield’s stories detail. It is representative of the adaptability of timber buildings and the ability to respond to changing needs, but careful examination is needed to determine what, if any, original fabric remains. 

Not assessed

• Kelly, Michael and Chris Cochrane. ‘372 Karori Road – Chesney Wold’. Unpublished heritage assessment, prepared for the Wellington City Council, 2001.
• Chesney Wold, Karori Road, ca 1901. Karori Historical Society :Photographs of Karori. Ref: PAColl-5277-1-11. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
• 1946 372 Karori Road, tool shed (00056:326:B25424)
• 1960 372 Karori Road, convert dwelling to 4 flats (00058:140:C6645)
• 1983 372 Karori Road, flat additions and alterations (00058:0:C64009)
• 1990 372 Karori Road, carport (00059:375:E19872)
• 1998 372 Karori Road, verandah addition and internal alterations (00078:1261:41386)

Not available

Not available