Kincora Maternity Home, 23 Mt Edgcumbe Street (circa 1902)

This building was constructed circa early-1902, and is clad in plain horizontal weatherboard, with two-pane double hung sash windows. The builder was likely William Tong, and the first owner was John Duffin Jnr.

In late 1903 the property was sold to Mrs Winifred Sisley, who operated a maternity hospital from the building between 1903 and about 1917.

The building is in largely original condition and is thought to have been constructed around the same time as 34 Mt Edgecumbe Street - both early villas are precursors to the bay villa.

Along with nearby villas on Mt Edgecumbe, Vivian and Powderham Streets, this building is part of a cluster of homes clearly illustrating the development of the villa from a simple square box with a front addition (bay villa precursor), to the more ornate home we commonly associate with villas - all within a relatively short time period.

Related items:

Town Section 294, Taranaki Land Deed Index I4 Page 130 and I14 Page 259. (Archives New Zealand)

Kincora Maternity Home (Former), 23 Mt Edgecumbe Street New Plymouth, Draft Heritage Assessment (Hamish Crimp, 2019).