Stone Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stone Store |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Location | Kerikeri basin |
| Address | 246 Kerikeri Rd Kerikeri 0230 |
| Town or city | Bay of Islands |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 35°13′04″S 173°57′46″E / 35.2177782°S 173.96267039999998°E |
| Construction started | 1832 |
| Completed | 1836 |
| Designated: | 23 June 1983 |
| Reference #: | 5 |
The Stone Store in Kerikeri, located in the Bay of Islands, is New Zealand's oldest stone building that is still standing today. It's a very important part of New Zealand's history.
Contents
Building the Stone Store
The Stone Store was part of the second mission station set up by the New Zealand Church Missionary Society. It was designed by John Hobbs to replace an older wooden storage building.
Construction of the Stone Store took place between 1832 and 1836. A builder named William Parrott, a carpenter named Ben Nesbitt, and a team of Māori workers helped build it.
The building was made from different materials. They used sandstone brought from Australia, local volcanic rocks, and a special mortar made from burnt shells. Iron ties and window bars were made by James Kemp. However, these iron parts caused some damage to the sandstone over time. When it was first built, the store also had a wooden bell tower on one side.
Why Was the Stone Store Built?
The main reason for building the Stone Store was to create a trading post for the Church Missionary Society. They planned to sell food grown on their farms at the te Waimate mission to ships. They also wanted to sell European goods to Māori people.
There were several reasons why stone was chosen for the building:
- Protection from Pests: Stone walls helped keep rats away from stored wheat.
- Safety: Stone offered better protection against potential attacks.
- Fire Safety: Stone buildings are much less likely to catch fire than wooden ones.
Originally, there were plans to build a flour mill right next to the store on the Kerikeri River. However, this mill was eventually built at te Waimate instead.
Changes Over Time
By the mid-1830s, the mission stations found it hard to compete with other European settlers who were also trading and farming. Because of this, the Stone Store was not making much money.
The building's use changed many times over the years:
- Mission Library: In the early 1840s, Bishop Selwyn turned it into the mission's library.
- Military Use: After the town of Russell (then called Kororāreka) was attacked during the Flagstaff War, Governor George Grey briefly used the Stone Store as a place to store weapons and house soldiers.
- Trading Post: After the fighting ended in 1845, the building was rented out. It became a center for trading Kauri gum, which was a valuable natural resin.
- Boys' School: In 1863, the Stone Store was used to house a school for boys.
The Kemp Family and Tourism
In 1874, the building was sold to the Kemp family. They used it as a general store, selling everyday goods. However, as time went on, the Stone Store became more and more popular as a place for tourists to visit. People were interested in its history and unique architecture.
Preserving History
In 1975, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (which is now called Heritage New Zealand) bought the Stone Store from the Kemp family. This organization works to protect important historic sites.
During the 1990s, a lot of work was done to preserve and restore the building. Today, the Stone Store and the Mission House next door are both part of a small museum. Visitors can explore these historic buildings and learn about early New Zealand history.
