Caccia Birch House facts for kids
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Caccia Birch House is a really old and special home in Palmerston North, New Zealand. It's known as a historic place because it has a lot of history! This big house was finished in 1892. It's named after William and Maude Caccia Birch. They gave the house to the government in 1941.
Today, the Palmerston North City Council owns the house. A group called the Caccia Birch Trust Board helps look after it. You can even see old photos of the people who lived there before in the Coach House Museum.
Contents
History of Caccia Birch House
Who Lived Here First?
The house was first built for a Norwegian family, Jacob and Anna Nannestad. They were early settlers in the area.
New Owners and New Names
In 1903, an English family, John and Mary Strang, bought the house. They named it "Woodhey." Later, in 1907, something very interesting happened! The New Zealand Parliament Buildings caught fire. Because of this, the house became a temporary home for Lord Plunket, who was the Governor-General of New Zealand at the time.
The Caccia Birch Family and Giving Back
In 1921, William Caccia Birch bought the property. In the 1930s, a part of the land, called the Hokowhitu Lagoon, was given to the Palmerston North City Council. Then, in 1941, the Caccia Birch family gave the rest of the property to the government.
What Was the House Used For?
- During the Second World War, the military used Caccia Birch House.
- After the war, it became a special home for servicewomen and nurses to rest and get better.
- From 1960 to 1976, it was used as a place for education.
- In 1983, the house was given to the city council.
- In 1989, the Caccia Birch Trust Board was created to care for the house.
- Since 1992, it has been a popular place for meetings and events.
Location and Surroundings
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Caccia Birch House is located in a quiet part of Palmerston North. The original property was much larger. It even included a part of the Hokowhitu Lagoon. Now, the property is about 3 acres (1.2 hectares) big. It looks out over the beautiful lagoon. It's also only about 10 minutes from the airport.
Architecture and Design
How the House Looked Originally
The first building, designed for the Nannestad family, was a two-story house. It was made from local timber. The outside walls had a special "sunburst" pattern. The roof was made of corrugated iron.
Additions Over the Years
- After 1903, the Strang family added two glass rooms called conservatories. They also added nurseries for children and rooms for servants. A coach house for horses and carriages was also built.
- Lord Plunket added a room for playing billiards. This room is now called the Lord Plunket Room. He also added more rooms for servants, but these were later taken down.
Beautiful Gardens
The property has a lovely garden with a paved, sunken rose garden. You can find a very old wisteria plant there, which is over 100 years old! There are also many different kinds of trees, including:
- An American tulip tree
- A Himalayan cedar
- Elm trees
- Magnolia trees
Local volunteers from the Manawatu Tree Trust have also planted native New Zealand shrubs in the garden.
Visiting Caccia Birch House
Caccia Birch House is in a residential area. You can rent the property for special events like weddings or parties. It's a great place to visit and learn about local history!
