Katherine Mansfield Birthplace

Katherine Mansfield Birthplace
Katherine Mansfield Birthplace in Thorndon, Wellington
General information
Architectural style	Italianate
Town or city	25 Tinakori Road, Wellington
Country	New Zealand
Coordinates
Construction started	1887
Cost	£400
Client	Harold Beauchamp
Design and construction
Architect	Unknown
Heritage New Zealand - Category I
Designated	11-Jul-1986
Reference no.	4428

Katherine Mansfield Birthplace was the home of Katherine Mansfield, New Zealand's most famous author. The building, located in Thorndon, is classified as a "Category I" ("places of 'special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value'") historic place by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. The Birthplace is open to the public, having been restored and furnished by the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society Incorporated, which was founded by Oroya Day (art historian), Peter Young (solicitor), and architect James Beard.

The land for the building was originally owned by Charles Clifford, while the building itself was built for Mansfield's father Harold Beauchamp. Katherine Mansfield recreated memories of her childhood home in her short stories The Aloe, Prelude, A Birthday, The Doll’s House, and The Wind Blows. Mansfield described the house as a 'dark little cubby hole' and a 'horrid little piggy house'.

External links

• Homepage of the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace
• Katherine Mansfield Society - international organisation set up to promote and encourage the worldwide study and enjoyment of Katherine Mansfield’s writing.