KOHUNGA PŪERU / HISTORY
Inside Broadgreen Historic House
Broadgreen Historic House is furnished to represent a family home in the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Let us take you on a tour of the house, looking at a few of the highlights.
Room by room
Entrance and hall
Entry is through what was originally the back door. You'll see the lovely wooden hatstand, or ‘hall tree,’ sitting alongside an original boot jack. Step down into the main hall and on the wall are three lithographs of Petra (Jordan) in birds-eye maple frames. The originals were painted by Scottish artist, David Roberts. The longcase clock dates from 1760 and is still in working condition. By the door to the parlour, there is an umbrella stand (made around 1900). It comprises broken pieces of china stuck onto a field tile with plaster of paris (made around 1900).
Kitchen
The kitchen is where all the hard work was done. Wash day meant a fire was lit under the copper early on, and water carried in from the well to fill it. The heavy mangle was used to squeeze the soapy water out of the clothes, which were then rinsed in clear water.
In the opposite corner is the bread oven. Bread making meant tins of worked dough were placed in front of the fire to rise while a fire was lit inside the bread oven. When the fire bricks were hot the bread tins were placed inside, using a large wooden peel, or paddle.
Supplies of hot water and most cooking was over open fires and baking or roasting was done in the colonial oven, with a fire underneath.
In the opposite corner is the bread oven. Bread making meant tins of worked dough were placed in front of the fire to rise while a fire was lit inside the bread oven. When the fire bricks were hot the bread tins were placed inside, using a large wooden peel, or paddle.
Supplies of hot water and most cooking was over open fires and baking or roasting was done in the colonial oven, with a fire underneath.
Back parlour
The back parlour has a large table, sewing machines and a beautiful coal range with blue and white tile surround. This room was possibly used as an informal dining room during the Buxton’s era, or perhaps as a sitting room for staff. When the Langbeins moved in, they used it as their main kitchen. The kitchen table pictured belonged to the Langbeins. The coal range, from around 1890, is not original to the house but was relocated from the New Life Centre in Collingwood Street in 1970.
Dining room
On the left of the passage is the dining room. This formal room has a Brussels carpet, a style popular in the early 19th century, which is original to the house. In 1969, the red hand-blocked, flocked wall-paper was especially commissioned from the Sanderson company in England, to closely replicate the original wallpaper in this room. A sample is provided for you to touch.
The kauri side-board was custom-made for this room by a Nelson cabinet maker, Samuel Bryan Johnson, in about 1901. The legs of the side-board are actually cupboards. One leg contains trays for crockery and the other, lead bins for holding wine bottles. Two drawers are baize lined for silver and two drawer fronts are actually one long drawer for storing long table cloths. The sideboard was made for Mr Fred Langbein and his wife, Mary. They were the second family, after the Buxtons, to own the house and their descendants remained here until 1965.
The kauri side-board was custom-made for this room by a Nelson cabinet maker, Samuel Bryan Johnson, in about 1901. The legs of the side-board are actually cupboards. One leg contains trays for crockery and the other, lead bins for holding wine bottles. Two drawers are baize lined for silver and two drawer fronts are actually one long drawer for storing long table cloths. The sideboard was made for Mr Fred Langbein and his wife, Mary. They were the second family, after the Buxtons, to own the house and their descendants remained here until 1965.
Drawing room
By the door there is a portrait of Adeline Buxton, painted on glass. Adeline married Thomas Chisnall in this room in 1861.
The beautiful wallpaper in this room was bought at the 1878 Paris exhibition by Edmund Buxton.
The Broadwood pianoforte was bought to Nelson by the Saxton family in 1842. The mahogany writing table, from around 1855, was bequeathed to Broadgreen by Isabella Kain in 1993, on behalf of her husband Leonard Bond Kain.
The beautiful wallpaper in this room was bought at the 1878 Paris exhibition by Edmund Buxton.
The Broadwood pianoforte was bought to Nelson by the Saxton family in 1842. The mahogany writing table, from around 1855, was bequeathed to Broadgreen by Isabella Kain in 1993, on behalf of her husband Leonard Bond Kain.
The study
The two upholstered chairs in the study are from the old Provincial building in Nelson. Both were re-upholstered when brought to Broadgreen. The writing desk has an in-laid tōtara knot veneer. Some of the books are from Thomas Marsden’s collection, others are from Bishop Suter’s collection.
Urns were often used to house the ashes of the departed. The black urn on display is continental, a style popular in the 19th century. There are also some steel engravings, including one of Queen Victoria’s coronation. The coat of arms on the fire screen belongs to Magdalen College in Oxford, UK.
Urns were often used to house the ashes of the departed. The black urn on display is continental, a style popular in the 19th century. There are also some steel engravings, including one of Queen Victoria’s coronation. The coat of arms on the fire screen belongs to Magdalen College in Oxford, UK.
Master bedroom
The wallpaper in the master bedroom is over 100 years old but is not original to the house. Rolls of the wallpaper were discovered at another Stock property and gifted to Broadgreen Historic House.
The ivory ‘stomping stick’ was used for summoning servants. The kauri dresser features two drawers, which are long and deep for bonnets to be stored. A number of hatpins, fashion accessories used to secure hats to the head, sit on the dresser. The kauri gentleman’s chair was a bequest from Julie Tomlinson.
The ivory ‘stomping stick’ was used for summoning servants. The kauri dresser features two drawers, which are long and deep for bonnets to be stored. A number of hatpins, fashion accessories used to secure hats to the head, sit on the dresser. The kauri gentleman’s chair was a bequest from Julie Tomlinson.
Bedroom - the Langbein room
Furnished in an Edwardian style, this room was opened in 1978. Much of the furniture was donated by Miss Furneaux. The heart tōtara dressing table was made in about 1920. The jug and basin set were imported from England especially for this room in 1979.
Bedroom - the nanny's room
The rocking chair in this room belonged to Eliza Ellen Lukins, who was born in Port Nelson on 4 March 1864. The washstand is late Victorian, made around 1890. The picture above the bed is from around 1860. It features a Bible verse, “I am the true Vine”, and is embroidered silk on punched card.
The nursery
The large pram is American and was brought to New Zealand around 1840. The doll in the smaller green cane pram was made by Armand Marseilles, a German company that made porcelain dolls. Marjorie Naylor bequeathed both the doll and the pram in her will.
The straight-backed chair is one of a pair made by the pioneer cabinet-maker Samuel Bryan Johnson for his two sons, Charles and Frank. The chair is made from teak from the wreck of The Fifeshire. Samuel Bryan Johnson also made the sideboard in the dining room.
The wooden colonial cot has a connection to Broadwood House as is it understood to have come from William Black’s family. William married Everhilda Buxton, one of Edmund and Martha Buxton’s daughters.
The straight-backed chair is one of a pair made by the pioneer cabinet-maker Samuel Bryan Johnson for his two sons, Charles and Frank. The chair is made from teak from the wreck of The Fifeshire. Samuel Bryan Johnson also made the sideboard in the dining room.
The wooden colonial cot has a connection to Broadwood House as is it understood to have come from William Black’s family. William married Everhilda Buxton, one of Edmund and Martha Buxton’s daughters.
The costume room
The bedroom on the left at the top of the stairs is now used as a display room for costumes from Broadgreen Historic House's vast collection. These are changed regularly to protect them from light damage.
The box room
It is believed this room was where travelling visitors would have stayed and where trunks would have been stored. When the Langbeins lived at Broadgreen House, they converted it into a bathroom. Today, the room is an interactive space for children to learn, play and dress up in replica clothes from the early 1900s.