Brain-Watkins House Museum (Est. 1881)
Historic Attractions
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Historic Attractions
Brain-Watkins House Museum is registered by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as a Historic Place Category 2. Boatbuilder Capt. Joseph Denham Brain began building the house after he received a shipment of kauri on 29 September 1881. He would live there with his wife Kate Ellen Brain (née Bishop), and their daughters Ada, Alice, Eleanor, Edith (Bessy) and Elva. The house and heritage garden have been cared for by the Tauranga Historical Society (Est. 1952) since 1979 with volunteer guides opening the building to the public on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm.
The House Collection is an eclectic mix of all the decades during the 98-year period of occupation from 1881 to 1979. Donations to support the upkeep of Brain-Watkins House Museum are very welcome. A yearly subscription to the Tauranga Historical Society costs $40 per household. Bank account: SBS 03 1355 0660053 00 (please email us your name and contact details).
