Cobblestones Museum

Thistles and Kiwis

We took Friday off and drove over the Remutaka Hills for a couple of nights away in Greytown. For some reason, in all the times we have been there, we have never gone to the Cobblestones Museum and heritage village. The museum is named after the cobblestone courtyard which was site of the Hastwell Stables (1857), and is home to original heritage buildings, some of which were relocated to Cobblestones to recreate how Wairarapa’s early families lived in the 1800s.

The exhibition building is an introduction to the village with background to the early settlers (including some from Scandinavia) and how Greytown developed. The coach below was built in nearby Martinborough in 1906 and used on the Martinborough to Featherstone railway link.

The cider press reflects the fruit growing industry of the region. The poster above is about the ‘Gala’ apple, which was bred in Greytown, and can now be found as the well known ‘Royal Gala’ apple.

It might not be the best place to visit with a moon boot and crutch, but I persevered, particularly enjoying this colonial cottage, believed to have been built in 1867. It is a Category 2 listed building. The rooms were filled with appropriate artefacts, and Karl ventured upstairs to the two small bedrooms (not for me with my boot).

The area is delightful to walk around with this little gazebo, an old Wesleyan church, a two cell lock-up for prisoners, the first Waiararapa hospital from 1875 which has this hydrangea outside, the coachhouse and, of course, the stables.

Below is the Mangapakeha School, opened in 1902 near Tinui as a one teacher school for 5 to 12 year olds. This is another Category 2 listed building, and was filled with desks and other old school items (including a school bag that looked very similar to my first one). The printing works houses a range of presses and typefaces from the early 1900s. The fire station dates from the 1950s and houses a fire engine from the period.

All in all, I would love to go back with no boot and on a sunny day (the rain, which had been heavy, had mercifully stopped). The entrance fee is NZ$12 and well worth every cent, giving an insight into the history of the region.

Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis.

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

Loves summer, sunshine and cats. Beginner gardener, likes eating, cooking and reading about food

33 Comments

  2. How long till the boot comes off? It takes just seconds to do the damage but forever to repair! But it looks a great outing. and you took me right back to my first school satchel too xx

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    1. The next hospital appointment is in 10 days – fingers crossed! You are so right…seconds to do the damage and an age to repair. The museum was well worth a visit. It was funny to see the school satchels – we all had them I think.

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  3. I smiled at your aside, including a school bag that looked very similar to my first one, for we are getting on: I find several items in museums now that I was familiar with in my youth! This looks a fascinating place to visit 🙂

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  5. That looks like such a neat place to explore. We have a few living history museums like this up where we live and it often feels like stepping back in time.

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  8. Yes, well worth every cent! Looks like a delightful place to visit, even with that boot you have to wear. (I so admire your pluck.) I did not know galas came from New Zealand. One of our favorites. We eat them regularly.

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  10. My cousin who lives in Nelson (on the South Island) told me that she worked for the apple company that developed the Fuji! Gala and Fuji are both really good apples. It’s interesting they were both developed in NZ.

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  11. The museum and the houses around are so small! I love it! I can easily see myself living in a small cabin. Imagine how easy it would be to maintain and clean 🙂

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  12. Pingback: This week’s small pleasures #434 – Thistles and Kiwis

  13. What a lovely day out! I love visiting historical sites like this and the pretty garden features just add to the delight! You definitely will have to visit again without the moon boot! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy xo

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