Deans Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deans Cottage |
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Deans Cottage in 2016
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| Etymology | William and John Deans |
| General information | |
| Type | Cottage |
| Location | Riccarton |
| Address | 16 Kahu Road |
| Town or city | Christchurch |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Completed | late 1843 |
| Relocated | 1947 1970 |
| Renovated | 1889 1947 |
| Owner | Christchurch City Council |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Timber; brick |
| Floor count | one |
| Designated: | 2 April 1985 |
| Reference #: | 3679 |
Deans Cottage is the oldest building still standing in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand. You can find it in Riccarton, a suburb of Christchurch. This historic cottage was once part of a large farm called the Riccarton estate.
The cottage was built in late 1843. Members of the Deans family lived there until 1856. Today, Deans Cottage has been moved to a new spot. It is now a museum, located between Riccarton House and Riccarton Bush.
Contents
The First Settlers at Riccarton
How the Deans Brothers Started Their Farm
In February 1843, William Deans arrived in the Canterbury Plains area. He came with two helpers, Samuel Manson and James Robinson Clough. William chose a spot next to a lowland forest for his farm. This forest is now known as Riccarton Bush. The local Māori called this land Putaringamotu.
The land had been farmed before, from mid-1840 to mid-1841. However, everything built by those first settlers was destroyed by a fire. William Deans and his helpers first built a simple shed in February 1843. It was right next to the bush.
Building the First Homes
William's brother, John Deans, arrived in June 1843 with farm animals. Both Deans brothers, along with Samuel Manson and his wife Jean, and John Gebbie and his wife Mary, lived in the original shed.
Later in 1843, Samuel Manson, who was a skilled carpenter, built a stronger house for the Deans brothers. This house is what we now call Deans Cottage. The other farm couples continued to live in the original shed. Manson also built another cottage for the Gebbies in 1845. He also built a large shed for milking, a stable, and a calf house.
What Deans Cottage Was Like
Deans Cottage was built using timber from the nearby bush. The main frame, outside walls, and roof shingles were made from kahikatea (white pine). The roof supports, floorboards, and inside wall coverings were made from matai (black pine).
The cottage had a fireplace with a chimney made from cob, which is a mix of clay, sand, straw, and water. Inside, there were two bedrooms, a sitting room with the fireplace, and a storage area upstairs in the loft. The kitchen was in the original shed building. The Deans brothers lived in this cottage.
Where the Cottage Was First Built
Deans Cottage was not always in its current spot. In fact, its present location is the third place it has been. It was first built closer to the Avon River than the other farm buildings. It was also the furthest downstream building on that side of the river.
The Deans Family and the Cottage
William Deans died in July 1851 during a trip to New South Wales. His ship was wrecked. This sad event delayed John Deans' trip to Scotland, where he was going to marry his fiancée.
John finally left in January 1852. He returned in February 1853 with his wife, Jane Deans (née McIlraith). The couple lived in Deans Cottage. Their only son, John Deans II, was born there in August 1853. By this time, John Deans was very ill. He passed away in Deans Cottage on June 23, 1854.
Before he died, John Deans had chosen a spot for a bigger house. But no work was done on it before his death. It was up to his wife, Jane, to start the project. She moved into Riccarton House in March 1856. This was when the Deans family stopped living in Deans Cottage.
Moving and Updating the Cottage
Over the years, Deans Cottage has been updated and moved. In 1889, its old timber supports were replaced with stronger concrete foundations. The roof was also replaced.
In 1947, Deans Cottage was moved about 170 metres (560 ft) using a traction engine. It was moved to where the scout hall is now. Then, in 1970, the cottage was moved again to its current location. Today, Deans Cottage is a museum that you can visit.
Who Owns Deans Cottage Now
The Christchurch City Council bought most of the land, the bush, and the buildings from the Deans family in 1947. The last piece of land, a triangle shape near the Avon River, Kahu Road, and the drive to Riccarton House, was bought by the city council in 1975. This triangle area was where most of the early buildings from before 1855 were located.
Protecting Its History
Deans Cottage is a very important historical building. On April 2, 1985, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust officially recognized it as a Category I heritage structure. This trust is now called Heritage New Zealand. Being a Category I means it has special historical importance.
