Temporary Closure For Ewelme Cottage For Some TLC

One of Auckland’s much-loved historic cottages is retiring from public life for a couple of months for a bit of well-deserved TLC.

Ewelme Cottage – the 163-year old Parnell home of Rev Vicesimus Lush – is closing its doors from Sunday 5 April until the end of autumn while Auckland Council contractors undertake some timely care and maintenance of this heritage landmark.

But never fear – the beautiful cottage, owned by Auckland Council and cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, will open to the public again in June.

The upgrade work is being funded and managed by Auckland Council and includes cleaning original brickwork on the cottage’s chimneys, and re-pointing and bracing the chimneys in the old kitchen and dining room.

Roofing and gutters from the dining room bay window, around to the study bay window, will be replaced, along with lead aprons and flashings. Rotten weather boards will also be repaired and repainted, all helping to make this special building more weather tight. Even the fence and front gates will enjoy some attention as part of the project.

“Ewelme Cottage is known for its fascinating collection of household objects, many brought to New Zealand by the Lush family who lived here for over 100 years, from the early 1860s through until the late 1960s. The cottage, which has changed very little since the family lived there, provides visitors the opportunity to step back in time and experience how a family lived around the turn of the 19th century,” says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Property Lead Auckland Properties, Tanya Wilkinson.

“To protect the objects during this restoration project the collection is being packed and safety stored. We apologise for any inconvenience while the cottage is closed – but it will all be worth it in the end and will help ensure Ewelme Cottage will be enjoyed by people for many years to come.”

© Scoop Media