Richmond Cottage (1853-54)

Richmond Cottage is located on Ariki Street, close to the entrance of the north wing of Puke Ariki.

The cottage was originally sited near the former Tasman Hotel (now Richmond Estate) on the foreshore. It was built in 1853-54 for Christopher and Emily Richmond. Henry and Arthur Richmond were responsible for the carpentry. The stonemason, Nathanial Hooker, used stone from the nearby beach. 

When the decision was made to build a large new hotel in St Aubyn Street it was decided to move Richmond Cottage to its present site. After it was dismantled, and then re-assembled, it was officially opened by Henry Richmond's son, Howard Parris, on 30 March, 1963. The architect in charge of the relocating the cottage was F. John Bowering.

Richmond Cottage and The Gables were re-roofed in 2017, a report on the project can be found here. 

Richmond Cottage has a Category 1 rating with the Heritage New Zealand and is listed as Category A Heritage Building on the N.P.D.C. District Plan.

Richmond Cottage is currently (2024) closed to the public at all times.  

Related documents:

Official Guests Will Recall Colony Days (Taranaki Herald 29 March 1963)

Richmond Cottage Cost £150 (Taranaki Herald 26 October 1963)

Removed and put together stone by stone (NZ Women's Weekly 10 February 1964)

Richmond Cottage renovated (Taranaki Herald 30 April 1988)

Disappearing intersection (Taranaki Daily News 6 May 2012)

Of passing interest, Kelvin Day (Taranaki Daily News 7 May 2012)

NPDC 1995 CBD Heritage Study (Richmond Cottage)

Richmond Cottage, Historic Places Trust Pamphlet (1975)

Related plans:

Taranaki DP1127 Sheet 1 (1898), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP6788 Sheet 1 (1950), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)