Thistle Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thistle Inn |
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A painting of the Thistle Inn and the Courthouse on lower Mulgrave Street, close to the water's edge. There is a horseman, with lawyers and other people outside the courthouse. A European home with two chimneys is below the road on the left (ca 1843)
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Edwardian |
| Location | Mulgrave Street, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Completed | 1840, rebuilt 1866 |
| Designated: | 27-Jul-1988 |
| Reference #: | 1439 |
The Thistle Inn is one of New Zealand's oldest pubs. It was first built in 1840 by William Couper. The name 'Thistle Inn' probably comes from his Scottish background. William Couper managed the inn for many years.
The first building was destroyed by a fire in 1866. But it was rebuilt within months. For a long time, the building was only a few metres from the water's edge. People often arrived by boat. This included, according to stories, the famous Ngati Toa chief Te Rauparaha. In 2008, the Hospitality Association said the Thistle Inn was New Zealand's oldest pub.
The Thistle Inn was even in a short story called "Leves Amores." This story was written in 1907 by the famous author Katherine Mansfield.
The building is a "Category I" historic place. This means it has "special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance." It is protected by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Contents
The Thistle Inn: A Historic Pub
A Look Back in Time
The Thistle Inn has a long and interesting history. It was first built in 1840 by a man named William Couper. He was likely from Scotland, which is why he might have chosen the name "Thistle." The thistle is a national symbol of Scotland. William Couper managed the inn for many years.
Fire and a Quick Rebuild
Sadly, the first Thistle Inn building was destroyed by a big fire in 1866. But don't worry, it was rebuilt very quickly! Workers finished the new building just a few months later. This shows how important the inn was to the community.
Close to the Water
For many years, the Thistle Inn was right next to the water. It was only a few metres from the shoreline of Wellington Harbour. Because it was so close to the water, people often arrived at the inn by boat. There's even a legend that the famous Māori chief, Te Rauparaha, visited the inn by boat.
Over time, land was added to the harbour. This is called "reclamation." Now, the Thistle Inn is not right by the water anymore.
New Zealand's Oldest Pub?
In 2008, a group called the Hospitality Association looked into the history of pubs in New Zealand. They decided that the Thistle Inn was the oldest pub in the country. This makes it a very special place!
A Famous Visitor and Writer
The Thistle Inn has been part of New Zealand's culture. A very famous New Zealand writer, Katherine Mansfield, wrote about the Thistle Inn. It was featured in her short story called "Leves Amores," which she wrote in 1907. This shows how well-known the inn was even over a hundred years ago.
A Special Historic Place
The Thistle Inn is considered a very important building. It is officially classified as a "Category I" historic place. This means it has "special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value." The New Zealand Historic Places Trust protects it. This helps make sure the Thistle Inn will be around for many more years.
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