Katherine Mansfield Birthplace

25 Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Extent: Cityview GIS 2013
Extent: Cityview GIS 2013
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  • Constructed

    1887

  • Architect(s)

  • Builder(s)

  • The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace is a Classically influenced, symmetrical, remarkably devoid of decoration, two storey timber home that is representative of the time in which it was built. It is reminiscent of early Regency housing, with cover boards as vestigial columns.  

    This house has outstanding historical value for its association with Katherine Mansfield. Mansfield is internationally recognised as a writer and the house features in a number of her works and appears to have played an important role in her early life. The house is also of historical importance as the home of Mansfield’s father, Sir Harold Beauchamp, who was a nationally significant figure in New Zealand financial and business circles at the turn of the century.   

    There are significant technological values in the house – surviving original wallpaper has been reproduced, adding to a limited knowledge of what styles were popular at this time. The house is constructed in typical materials and using typical techniques of the period.  


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  • close History

    • The house at 25 Tinakori Road is intimately associated with Katherine Mansfield, an internationally recognised New Zealand author, and was her birthplace and first home in Wellington. Thorndon is known to have experienced pre 1900 human activity and was occupied by various Iwi in the years before European settlement. Tinakori Road in the 19th and early 20th century developed as a key transport route that linked the Hutt Road, lower and upper Thorndon, and the routes to the western suburbs of Northland and Karori. The street is known for its mix of large houses (generally to the north) and cottages (generally to the south).

      The land where the house was built was originally owned by Sir Charles Clifford a former speaker of the House of Representatives. It was leased by Katherine Mansfield’s father Harold Beauchamp, for a period of 40 years, with a requirement of the lease being the erection of a good and substantial house of the value of £400. The two storey timber home was completed by 1888 and Harold, his wife Annie, and their children, as well as her two sisters and mother moved into the house in 1888.

      Built in the middle of an economic depression, the façade of the 209 square meter house was relatively plain. Paired facings and simple Classical style pediments over each of the four symmetrically placed sash windows are the only adornments. The interior of the house was modestly decorated in a style influenced by Chinese designs, which was popular at the time. The Mansfield-Beauchamp family only remained in the house for five years, moving to a more prestigious house in Karori in 1893. It would appear that Harold Beauchamp, although no longer living in the house, remained the leaseholder/owner. 1907 additions to the house (bay windows on the front façade, now removed, and the lean to) were carried out by A. H. Harbottle for Mr H Beauchamp costing £287.

      There is little known about the owners and occupants of the house following the vacation of the Beauchamp family. Between 1921 and 1924 Dr. Frederick Truby King, founder of the Plunket Society, occupied the house, and in 1940 the house was owned by E.W. Pearce Esquire, who carried out alterations to the house designed by the firm of Crichton, McKay, and Haughton. Six years later, the house was converted into flats by the same architectural firm, with the owner now listed as Mrs. E.W. Pearce. No further alterations are listed until 1967, when the ‘flats’ were repiled.

      In 1986, the Wellington Regional Committee of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust was listing buildings in Wellington that they hoped to classify as being of importance. Due to changes in the numbering of the streets, many thought that the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace had already been demolished. It soon became clear that this was not the case, and the house was listed as a ‘Category A’ building. Following this, and in light of the increasing recognition that Mansfield’s work had been gaining, the ‘Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society’ was incorporated in July 1987. By October of that year, the group had purchased the property with an intention to repair the building and have it used as a writer’s research centre.

      At the time of the purchase the house was a partly remodelled two flat property, but as work began on repairing the building, it became clear that traces of the original décor, including the wallpaper, was still in place. It was at this point that the Society changed the focus to a restoration project, returning the house to what it had been in the time when the Beauchamp’s had lived there and turn the house into a museum.

      Restoration of the house involved careful research into the house and grounds. Original plans for the house are missing, so the society used descriptions from Mansfield’s writing, as well as photographs, architectural and archaeological analysis to recreate the surroundings. The garden was recreated with more than 200 species commonly used in Wellington. The house was restored to its original state, with the original sink bench and staircase newel posts and balusters reinstated. The large windows that had been added in the kitchen and front rooms were replaced to recreate the dark rooms recalled by Mansfield. Copies of the original wallpaper were made and decorate all rooms but the master bedroom. Some rooms of the house have been devoted to exhibits of Mansfield’s early years and accomplishments, with displays of her typewriter, a collection of first editions, and a replica of the dolls house described in the short story of the same name. The restored house was the first New Zealand museum to honour a woman, and it gives valuable insight into Mansfield’s writing and the importance of the house in her stories.

      Restoration was carried out in stages, with the first section opening on the 14 October 1988, coinciding with the 100th birthday of Katherine Mansfield. Since this time the entire house has been completed. Since 2008 there has been a significant effort placed in restoring the garden with an emphasis upon creating a garden like that of Mansfield’s lifetime.

    • Modifications close
      • 1887
      • Construction
      • 1907
      • Tinakori Road, additions – including bay windows and lean to 25 Tinakori Road, additions – including bay windows and lean to (00053:137:7641)
      • 1940
      • Tinakori Road, erect alterations to dwelling (00056:249:B20650)
      • 1946
      • Tinakori Road, conversion to flats (00056:327:B25525)
      • 1967
      • Tinakori Road, repile flats (00058:526:C25421)
      • 1988
      • Tinakori Road, convert dwelling to museum Katherine Mansfield (00059:212:D9995)
      • 1995
      • Tinakori Road, restoration of 1907 lean-to (00061:163:15220)
      • 1997
      • Tinakori Road, replacement of part of sewer drain (00078:61:28631)
    • Occupation History close
      • 1887 - 1893
      • Beauchamp family
      • 1921 - 1924
      • Dr. Frederick Truby King
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace is a simple, neat, symmetrical design that is remarkably devoid of decoration. Paired facings and simple Classical style pediments over each of the four, symmetrically placed sash windows are the only adornment. The window surrounds mimic stone detailing and columned pilasters are capped by a triangular pediment. It is reminiscent of early Regency housing, with cover boards as vestigial columns.

      The interior of the house is decorated in styles influenced by Chinese designs that were popular in New Zealand at the time.

    • Materials close

      Rusticated weatherboard

      Timber joinery

      Corrugated iron roofing

    • Setting close

      The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace is a two storeyed house, now, situated on the city side of Tinakori Road, just below the junction with Hobson Street. The house is set back from the street frontage, with a lawn and gardens between the street and the building. Both of the house’s immediate neighbours are of similar heights although there are a number of different styles of home in the area. 


  • close Cultural Value

    The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace is a Classically influenced, symmetrical, remarkably devoid of decoration, two storey timber home that is representative of the time in which it was built. It is reminiscent of early Regency housing, with cover boards as vestigial columns.

    This house has outstanding historical value for its association with Katherine Mansfield. Mansfield is internationally recognised as a writer and the house features in a number of her works and appears to have played an important role in her early life. The house is also of historical importance as the home of Mansfield’s father, Sir Harold Beauchamp, who was a nationally significant figure in New Zealand financial and business circles at the turn of the century.

    There are significant technological values in the house – surviving original wallpaper has been reproduced, adding to a limited knowledge of what styles were popular at this time. The house is constructed in typical materials and using typical techniques of the period.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • 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 Katherine Mansfield Birthplace is a Classically influenced, symmetrical, remarkably devoid of decoration, two storey timber home that is representative of the time in which it was built. It is reminiscent of early Regency housing, with cover boards as vestigial columns.

      • Group

        Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

        The area has an overall special character, with a dominance of 100 year old houses of high heritage value.

      • 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 has significant townscape values and is highly visible, adding a great amount of visual interest to the streetscape.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This house has outstanding historical value for its association with Katherine Mansfield. Mansfield is internationally recognised as a writer and the house features in a number of her works and appears to have played an important role in her early life. The house is also of historical importance as the home of Mansfield’s father, Sir Harold Beauchamp, who was a nationally significant figure in New Zealand financial and business circles at the turn of the century.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        The house is a pre-1900 building; also in an area known to have been occupied by Maori prior to European settlement. Archaeological investigation has been carried out at the house previously, and material dating to the period of the house’s construction was uncovered. It is likely that more material will be present.

      • Educational

        Does the item have educational value for what it can demonstrate about aspects of the past?

        The house is now used as a museum, giving it a high educational value for what it can teach about the early life of Katherine Mansfield, and what life in 1890s Wellington was like.

      • Technological

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

        There are significant technological values in the house – surviving original wallpaper has been reproduced, adding to a limited knowledge of what styles were popular at this time. The house is constructed in typical materials and using typical techniques of the period.

    • Social Value close

      • 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?

        As a building from the early part of Wellington’s history, the house maintains a sense of permanence and continuity.

      • Public Esteem

        Is the item held in high public esteem?

        This house is held in extremely high esteem as the birthplace of Katherine Mansfield, one of New Zealand’s best known writers. When under threat a great amount of public effort was put into retaining the building, marking an important moment in the history of New Zealand heritage conservation.

      • Sentiment Connection

        Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

        This house is a focus of community sentiment and connection as the home of one of Wellington, and New Zealand’s, most recognised authors. It has been recognised by the NZHPT, the WCC, the Thorndon Society, and its current owners, Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society, as being of national importance.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • 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?

        The house retains significant amounts of original material and has been restored to the point when the Beauchamp family lived in the house. Its design, material, setting, and craftsmanship all possess integrity.

      • Local Regional National International

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

        The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace is recognised as being nationally significant due to its association with Katherine Mansfield, an internationally recognised author, and Harold Beauchamp, a nationally recognised figure in early New Zealand business and finance. It is significant as a representative of early Wellington architecture, and together with a number of other houses in Thorndon, helps to create a precinct of different but coherent early buildings. 

      • Representative

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

        The house is a good representative of a Classically influenced, two storey, timber house from the 1880s, reminiscent of early Regency housing.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      18/ 305

    • Legal Description

      Pt Lot 1 DP 6095 and Pt Lot 2 DP 1362

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      1/ 4428

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre 1900 building, NZAA Central City R27/270 Archaeological Area

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • O’Brien, Rebecca. ‘Katherine Mansfield Birthplace – 25 Tinakori Road’. Unpublished Historic Places Trust Registration Report. 5 October 2002. Accessed 15 August 2013
      • 1907 25 Tinakori Road, additions – including bay windows and lean to (00053:137:7641)
      • 1940 25 Tinakori Road, erect alterations to dwelling (00056:249:B20650)
      • 1946 25 Tinakori Road, conversion to flats (00056:327:B25525)
      • 1967 25 Tinakori Road, repile flats (00058:526:C25421)
      • 1988 25 Tinakori Road, convert dwelling to museum - Katherine Mansfield (00059:212:D9995)
      • 1995 25 Tinakori Road, restoration of 1907 lean-to (00061:163:15220)
      • 1997 25 Tinakori Road, replacement of part of sewer drain (00078:61:28631)
      • Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Te Puakitanga. Accessed 15 August 2013,
    • Technical Documentation close
    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 11/27/2017 10:52:48 PM