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Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society

Looking over Thorndon, Wellington © Alexander Turnbull Library more about this image

Reflecting the Past - Enriching the Future

The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society was established as an Incorporated Society with charitable status in 1986. Its constitution directs the Society to “acquire, preserve, maintain and re-use the birthplace of Wellington’s most famous daughter, Katherine Mansfield, a writer of international renown, and to foster appreciation and understanding of her work and her time”.

The Society started this ambitious crusade with the sum of $500.00. Since then it has meticulously pursued a controlled development plan that focused on four stages of restoration.

In the PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Taskforce report 1994, Katherine Mansfield Birthplace was described as “important to the nation and should be a ‘must see’. It is a special place. Its restoration has proceeded with care and sensitivity.” The Birthplace was awarded New Zealand’s only PATA award for Heritage in 1999.

The dream to ‘save’ the house and preserve it for posterity has been embraced by a very special group of people. When the house was being furnished, individual donors responded to the wish list. Artefacts came from America, England, Australia and New Zealand. All aspects of the operation are greatly enhanced by the legion of volunteers who gift their time to advance the project.

The Society is a community based, voluntary organisation. In addition to a major annual grant from the Wellington City Council, and occasional grants from other agencies, funding relies on membership subscriptions together with visitors’ admission fees.  The shop holds a wide range of publications, and other merchandise. The House and garden are also available for hire for private functions. Donations and special sponsorships are gratefully received.

Become a Member:  Join the Society.

Become a Volunteer: Assist in conserving our past for the future. Our volunteers assist with tours, administration, gardening, events. Contact us here for information on becoming a volunteer.