Katherine Mansfield's Thorndon: Guided Walking Tour 2023

Part of Wellington Heritage Week 2023

"How hard is it to escape from places. However carefully one goes they hold you – you leave little bits of yourself fluttering on the fences – like rags and shreds of your very life.” Katherine Mansfield in a letter to Ida Baker, 1922

Explore the Thorndon that Katherine Mansfield knew and the traces of her legacy that remain in the landscape today, 100 years on from her death. Beginning with a short introductory talk at Katherine Mansfield House & Garden, the guided walking tour will finish at the National Library with refreshments and a special viewing of Mansfield-related objects from the Alexander Turnbull Library’s collection.

A collaboration between Katherine Mansfield House & Garden and the National Library Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. With thanks to Old St Paul’s.

Please note: This is a guided walking tour which will involve approx. 30 minutes of walking on flat ground with frequents stops. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and bring appropriate protection from sun and rain. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact Katherine Mansfield House & Garden to discuss.

Bad weather postponement dates: The tour will go ahead if there is light rain, so please bring a raincoat. If there is heavy rain and/or strong winds the Tuesday 24 October tour will be postponed to Thursday 26 October; the Saturday 28 October tour will be postponed to Saturday 4 November. Participants will be notified by email and text message (if a mobile number is provided) by 9am on the day of the tour if there is a postponement.

Image: The Katherine Mansfield Memorial photographed by Charles P S Boyer, c1930s. Wellington City Council Archives, 00157-99.