Hurworth Cottage

Hurworth Cottage now

 

The only property in Taranaki owned by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Hurworth Cottage was built in 1856 by Harry Atkinson, who later served four terms as New Zealand's Premier.

 

He had learned how to operate a cross-cut saw, and felled the timber and cut up the planks for the weatherboards himself. You can still see the saw-marks today.

 

We are part of a group of volunteers who help to keep the gardens tidy, publicise the cottage and its attractions, and act as hosts for the Taranaki Garden Festival, which starts today and runs until Sunday 10th.

 

Among other things, we have a 2014 calendar ready for sale for the festival (designed and printed by our son, Matthew); you can order a copy for $20. Send your cheque to us and we will post your copy.

 

Even better, include Hurworth in your itinerary when you are visiting gardens featured in the Garden Festival - you may be fortunate and find Margaret or me hosting visitors at the time! You will be able to buy copies of the calendar ($15), and other handcrafted products made or grown by local artisans.

 

Or offer to join the volunteer group; your copy of the calendar tells you how to apply.

 

When you visit, make sure you spend time exploring the history of the cottage and of the families involved in settling the area around Hurworth: the Atkinsons, Richmonds, Hursthouses and Fells, many members of which played a prominent part in the nineteenth century history of this country.