House built in 1892 for Norwegian immigrant Jacob Nannestad. Designed by architect Ludolph Georg West. In 1903, the house was sold to retired English businessman John Henderson Pollock Strang who made substantial alterations and named it 'Woodhey'. In 1907, it was offered to the NZ Government as temporary residence for the Governor-General and Lord and Lady Plunket resided there between 1908-1910. Bought in 1921 by William Charles and Maud Caccia Birch, the house was gifted to the government by the family in 1941, giving it its name. It was a military staff centre during World War Two and a veteran nurses’ convalescent home was established by the Palmerston North Hospital Board following the war (until 1959). It operated as an educational facility until the mid 1970s. Following restoration by the Palmerston North City Council, it has served as a function centre from 1993.
Caccia Birch House (Palmerston North, N.Z.)
Caccia Birch House, Palmerston North
Date: Between 1923 and 1928
From: Moore, Robert Percy, 1881-1948 :Panoramic photographs of New Zealand
Reference: Pan-1558-F
Description: Panoramic view across a lawn towards a large two-storeyed wooden house in the right middle distance overlooking the Hokowhitu Lagoon. Large conservatory on the right. Several people on garden seats outside a porch on the left above which there is an upstairs verandah. Finials over gables. Single-storeyed wing on the left. Flag flying from flagpole on the roof. Car parked near the conservatory beside a trimmed hedge. Palms planted in the lawn. On the left of the image three men are in a rowing boat on the lagoon, bullrushes on the far side and trees beyond. Photograph taken by Robert Percy Moore. Inscriptions: Marginal notes on negative - Birch Plston Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Panoramic negative 24.7 x 116.3 cm
North Island houses
Date: [1970s-1990s]
From: Thornton, Geoffrey Garth, 1922-2017: Papers and photographs relating to industrial and construction heritage
Reference: PA12-11706
Description: Transparencies of houses in New Zealand, taken by Geoffrey Thornton or Jocelyn Thornton. Each slide mount is annotated with the name or brief description, and/or the location, of the house. Dates and photographer name are sometimes annotated. Includes one transparency labelled "Kawhia" which shows Rosamond House. Title transcribed from item. Many slides are not dated. Arrangement: Transparencies were arranged in a 6-row, 50 slides per row, plastic case labelled 'North Island Houses'. The arrangement was by location of house, approximately from North to South. Quantity: 24 colour original transparency/ies. Physical Description: Colour transparencies in plastic and cardboard slide mounts. Processing information: Slides have been removed from container and put into archival pockets, following the original order, from left to right and top to bottom. Description and date updated 15 June 2022 following information from a staff member.
Aerial view overlooking Caccia Birch House and the Hokowhitu Lagoon, Palmerston North
Date: 1941
From: Royal New Zealand Air Force :Negatives of aircraft, personnel, trainees, ground activities and sport from 1940's.
Reference: 1/2-065110-F
Description: Aerial view overlooking Caccia Birch House and the Hokowhitu Lagoon, Palmerston North, 1941. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative
Vice-regal residence at Palmerston North
Date: [between 1908-1910]
From: Walker, A (Mr), fl 1968 :Postcards of New Zealand towns
By: Whalley and Company
Reference: PAColl-6639-008
Description: Looking up the tree lined driveway, towards the house lived in by Lord and Lady Plunket, taken between 1908-1910 by Whalley & Co. Inscriptions: Top of postcard: The Vice-regal residence Palmerston North, NZ Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photo-mechanical print postcard
Stout album
Date: [Circa 1895 to 1919]
By: Stout, Thomas Duncan Macgregor (Sir), 1885-1979; Aldersley, David James, 1862-1928; Beattie, William, 1864-1931; Billens, Henry, 1846-1936; Blencowe, James Rasdell, 1871-1945; Denton, Frank James, 1869-1963; Jones, Frederick Nelson, 1881-1962; Martin, Josiah, 1843-1916; Miller, C, active 1900s; Morris, Guy Clayton, 1868-1918; Muir & Moodie (Firm); Parkerson, C P, active 1911-1912; Preen, Edith, active 1907; Radcliffe, Frederick George, 1863-1923; Tanner Brothers Ltd (Publishers); Whalley and Company; Winzenberg, Albert Edward, 1865-1931; Zachariah, Joseph, 1867-1965
Reference: PA1-q-226
Description: Album of postcards with subjects ranging from religious, humourous, British scenes, greetings, old paintings, New Zealand scenes, interspersed with some family and personal photographs. None of the personal subjects are named, but where possible the names of photographers are listed above. A loose envelope is inserted inside the back cover, containing a few more general postcards, but also including an envelope containing a group portrait of boys from the VIth standard at Terrace School, Wellington, in 1895. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with brown cover, entitled "Album" in stylised white lettering; 34 x 24 cm