Williams House exhibition opens for Paihia bicentenary ​

A new visitor experience described as ‘a rich taonga’ for Northland and Aotearoa’s early history was officially opened on Tuesday (11 April) at Williams House as part of the Paihia200 bicentenary celebrations.

Displays tell the stories of missionary Archdeacon Henry Williams, his wife Marianne and subsequent generations, including their grandson Canon Percy Williams, who built the house for his family. The house was occupied by the Williams family until 1993 and is now home to the Paihia Library (on the ground floor).

The exhibition, on the second floor of Williams House, was officially opened with a ribbon cutting by Kōwhai (Deputy Mayor) Kelly Stratford, a blessing by the Right Reverend Te Kitohi Pikaahu ONZM, and thanks given to those who drove the project by Chris Williams, a descendent of the pioneering family.

Williams House was saved by the Friends of Williams House Paihia Library Incorporated in 2004, after it had fallen into a state of disrepair. The ‘Friends’, a group of about a dozen volunteers, drove the building’s restoration and subsequent projects including establishing the Stone Shed Museum. They also led this latest exhibition. The volunteers have been supported by the Williams family and council staff, who will manage the permanent exhibition.

Exhibition visitors will learn about the daily lives of the pioneering family and the family’s history through historic photos, family antiques and personal taonga. The exhibition aims to provide a greater understanding of the meaningful relationship between tangata whenua and the early Williams settlers.

The site includes the Stone Shed Museum, which is the oldest surviving building in Paihia, as well as an historic garden trail around the grounds.

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