Katherine Mansfield House, Wellington

Katherine Mansfield House, originally known as Katherine Mansfield Birthplace, stands as a testament to the early years of Katherine Mansfield, a significant figure in New Zealand's literary heritage. This historic building is nestled in Thorndon, Wellington, and has been recognized as a "Category I" historic place by Heritage New Zealand, underscoring its importance in the nation's cultural landscape.

Constructed in 1888 amidst an economic depression, the house was commissioned by Harold Beauchamp, Mansfield's father. The two-storey structure spans a width of 9.1 meters and a length of 12.1 meters, featuring a layout that includes a drawing room, dining room, bathroom, kitchen, scullery, and lean-to on the ground floor, while the first floor houses four bedrooms and a night nursery. This arrangement of rooms facilitated the daily lives and activities of the Beauchamp family.

Notably, the house's original wallpaper and ceramics, unearthed through archaeological efforts, reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of Katherine's mother, showcasing an affinity for the European aesthetic movement. These elements add depth to the understanding of the family's lifestyle and cultural inclinations during Katherine's formative years.

The Beauchamp family, including Katherine's parents, her sisters Vera and Charlotte, two aunts, Belle and Kitty, from her mother's side, and her grandmother, Mrs. Dyer, moved into the house in 1888, with Katherine being born later that year on October 14. The experiences and memories forged in this home deeply influenced Mansfield's literary output, as evidenced by her references to the house and its surroundings in her acclaimed works such as "Prelude" (and its novel form, "The Aloe"), "A Birthday", "The Doll's House", and "The Wind Blows".