The Howick Historical Village, Auckland - a step back in time

Three years ago I visited the marvelous historical village of Den Gamle By in Aarhus, Denmark. It was a wonderful experience and I wrote about it in a blog on 4/3/15 ( you may find this in the search box)  Last weekend, at a loss as to how to spend a dull and overcast afternoon, I decided to visit the Howick Historical Village, just a few kilometres from my home.  I had been there a few times previously but not for a number of years and I have to say I was enchanted all over again.  It is not on the scale of Den Gamle By but what it does it does extremely well.

Opened in 1980 and set on 7 acres adjoining Bell House, an elegant two storey home gifted to the historical society by the Bell family and now used as a restaurant, the village portrays a typical Fencible settlement between 1840 and 1880. 

Fencible settlers often had to live in tents while waiting for their cottages to be built.  it must have been a shock.

Some settlers lived in these raupo huts and had to wear raincoats to bed if it looked like rain!  Tough times!

The Fencibles, the name comes from the word defencible, were retired British soldiers who, together with their wives and children, were offered free passage to New Zealand in order to become a New Zealand defence force.   The Fencibles had to be no older than 48, industrious and of good character.  They were in effect military reserves in that they were expected to have some other sort of employment to complement their pensions and to be on call if needed. They were supplied with small cottages and an acre of land which became theirs after seven years of service, several of these cottages are now in the village.

The Puhi Nui Homestead of William McLaughlin (1861)

The kitchen in Puhi Nui

Today there are 30 buildings to explore ranging from raupo (reed) shacks to small two room cottages to two storey mansions, many donated by the original families.  Laid out as a typical settlement the village includes a church, a blacksmith's, a couple of school rooms, a courthouse, a pub and a water mill.   Apart from the raupo shacks the buildings are original, not reconstructions, which have been lovingly restored by craftsmen and a devoted band of volunteers.

John Bycroft's Flour Mill (1855)  Put a coin in to operate the water wheel.

The Howick Courthouse (1848), believed to be the oldest administrative building in New Zealand

I had a brilliant afternoon wandering the streets of the village.  Since the day threatened rain, although none came, there was no more than a handful of other people there and it was quiet and peaceful.  I had most of the houses to myself and took my time examining everything and exploring the history of those intrepid early settlers. The Pakuranga school room (not the one pictured) brought back memories of the 100 plus year old school room I was educated in at primary school, now sadly demolished.

Ararimu Valley School (1876) built from pit-sawn totara

The museum is open every day except Christmas Day, New Year's Day, ANZAC Day and Good Friday. Every third Sunday of the month there is a live day when volunteers dress in colonial costumes and the village comes alive with a working blacksmith, baking,  games and any number of other colonial activities, great fun to attend, I'm sure. That will go on my "to do" list. 

Howick Arms  (1848) Owen Lynch used one room of his tiny two room cottage as a licensed hotel

A view of the village across the lake, note the raupo hut to the right and the fencing to the left

The picturesque church is a very popular venue for baptisms and weddings and other parts of the museum are available for hire too. Extensive planting of heritage trees and crops together with free range chickens, hens and geese  add to the authenticity and general ambiance of the village 

There is an admission fee , free parking and a cafe on site that does not require an entry fee to the village. There is also a small toy museum where children can experience some of the games played in colonial times and they can marvel in the school rooms at the meticulous hand writing demanded of children back then.  Ah those were the days!  

Sweet dreams, baby.  A very practical colonial cradle

I loved my quiet stroll through history.  In this crazy modern world it is so good to reflect on quieter times even if the reality is that they were tough. Reflecting and sauntering in peace and tranquility was the perfect way to spend a dull afternoon and I am determined not to leave it so long between visits in the future.

www.fencible.org.nz