THE KAURI MUSEUM - The Kauri Museum is Northland’s best heritage attraction and the ideal location to learn all about the pioneer culture in Matakohe.

HISTORIC TOTARA HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR

Totara House is a magnificent 1896 kauri villa set in beautiful heritage gardens, lived in and faithfully preserved for 117 years by the family of George and Emily Smith. The Smith family owned a timber mill at Matakohe and the house is built of kauri from their mill. 

Totara House was bequeathed to The Kauri Museum to be preserved and enjoyed by generations to come. It is a slice of history.

Totara House is now opening its doors to visitors. Group tours are available to view the villa and its beautiful heritage gardens, which include the Heritage Rose collection.

 

 

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PIONEERS
Matakohe and nearby districts were first settled in 1862 by Albertlanders. The Albertlanders were an organised group of English emigrants who settled around Port Albert in the Kaipara Harbour. 

New settlers to the northern part of New Zealand arrived in Auckland by sailing ship. To get to Matakohe the settlers sailed across the Waitemata Harbour to Riverhead, travelled overland by foot or bullock cart to Helensville, and then sailed across the Kaipara Harbour to eventually reach Matakohe via Port Albert and Pahi. 

On arrival, their first task was to erect a dwelling on their block of land. A clearing was made in the dense impenetrable bush and the settlers each built a simple structure using light manuka stakes and nikau palm fronds. These were followed by more substantial homes built with split palings, pit sawn timber and later sawn timber from steam driven sawmills. 

The first industry was rope making, using the native flax fibre. This was soon surpassed by the Northland kauri timber and kauri gum industries. The bush was laboriously cleared using axes, saws and fire. Gradually, farming was established and is now the basis of the economy. 

The Kauri Museum is Northland’s best heritage attraction and the ideal location to learn all about the pioneer culture in Matakohe. Click here to read more about new developments at our Northland museum.

fonte: @edisonmariotti #edisonmariotti
http://www.kauri-museum.com/the-kauri-museum/historic-totara-house-and-garden-tour_idl=204_idt=5006_id=28418_sid=4313_.html