Katherine Mansfield House

Refreshed, repainted and re-opened last Sunday after extensive work inside and out, this is the Thorndon birthplace and first home of our most famous and best-loved writer, respected worldwide for her beautifully-crafted short stories.

Built in Tinakori Rd by her father, Harold Beauchamp, this modest two-storey house has gone through a number of alterations over the years, but is restored as far as possible to how it looked when Katherine Mansfield lived here, with three generations of her family, from 1888 to 1893.

Many of the original features remain intact, such as the bamboostyle balustrade on the staircase, carefully returned to their original state. Fragments of wallpaper discovered behind skirting boards enabled the interior decoration to be recreated.

Typically colonial Victorian, there are quantities of polished wood, gilded frames, elaborate fireplaces, rocking horses and creepy dolls, lumpy beds, busy decoration, and grim family photographs. Not everything is original, but attempts have been made to make the furnishings as authentic as possible, and they include such items as the typewriter bought for her by husband John Middleton Murry, as well as letters and belongings.

Why go?

Because who doesn’t love The Garden Party and The Doll’s House? Although Mansfield lived there for only six years before moving to Karori, her first home naturally made a big impression on her, and it inspired the setting for these stories and others.

Unless pre-arranged, the tour is self-guided, but staff are wellinformed and happy to answer any questions. There is also a 50-minute video to watch about her life and times. The small garden outside is planted appropriately.

Insider tip

If you fancy re-creating some of the meals in the stories, in the shop you can buy a recipe book that features the dishes and menus mentioned. And you could hardly get more authentic than the shop’s jars of medlar jelly, made from fruit from the tree in the garde. It also sells copies of The Doll’s House in te reo Ma¯ori: Te Whare Ta¯re.

On the way/nearby

Cross over the Wellington motorway and regain some peace in the Katherine Mansfield Memorial Park in Fitzherbert Place, opposite Katherine Ave. The US Embassy nearby is on the site of Mansfield’s last home, then wander back down towards the city, calling in at the National Library, which has Mansfield-related books, photos and objects. Visit nearby Thistle Inn, where Mansfield was a regular.

How much?

Adult entry is $10, seniors and students $8, schoolchildren and KMB Society members free.

Best time to go

Open 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday. A sunny day is good for enjoying the garden. katherinemansfield.com.