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This 18-20 roomed house was built by William Coomb’s wife Alice upon returning to Palmerston North after her husband's death in Hastings in 1907. Known by the family as 'Birchanger', it was designed by C W Blackbourn as a replica of their Hawkes Bay, Tukituki home. Mrs Coombs lived in the house until her death in 1940 at the age of 82. In 2008 the house operated as a Rest Home. It was then known as 'Hillcrest', and now Woodlands [2020]', it is listed in category 4 of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust register because of its architectural significance.

Identification

Object type
Image
Digitisation ID
2008N_A175-355_1217
Title
Sitting room of 'Birchanger', 544 Featherston Street
Relation
A175-355
Held In
Research File

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Creation

Created By
Place
544 Featherston Street, Palmerston North
Date
circa 1920 to circa 1929

Object rights

Credit Line
Palmerston North City Library

Taxonomy

Tags
buildings,
heritage building,
homestead,
photographs,
two storey,
Community Tags

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Related items

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Fireplace at 'Birchanger', 544 Featherston Street
Bedroom at 'Birchanger', 544 Featherston Street
Stills' farm, Kimbolton
MacLennan Residence in Oroua Downs
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'Birchanger', 544 Featherston Street
'Woodhey', Te Awe Awe Street
Bank of New Zealand, corner of The Square and Rangitikei Street
Staircase in 182 Fitzherbert Avenue
'Tiritea', residence of R S Abraham, Fitzherbert
'Woodhey', Te Awe Awe Street

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