Village about 2 kms from the inland outskirts of Apia. It is situated on Falealili Street which probably means that it is a suburb of Apia these days. It is the location of Robert Louis Stephenson's house which is the most well known view of Vailima - so well known that the name of the village is often understood as being the name of the house. Stephenson's house became "Government House", the residence of New Zealand High Commissioners to Samoa. Still later it became the residence of the Samoan Head of State.
Vailima
Rutherford, Alex album 4
Date: 1922-1936
From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa
Reference: PA1-o-448
Description: Photographs of Samoa, related to the period when Donald Alexander john Rutherford was a teacher, and then Superintendent of Schools in Samoa, between 1922 and 1936. Inside the front cover is a list of names of over a hundred native Samoan teachers who trained in Western Samoa during that period. There are group portraits of members of staff in the Samoan Education Department, teachers, students, sports teams; groups of boy scouts on parade; and one of a group attending the Conference on the Education of Native Races in the Pacific held in Honolulu in 1936. Several images show local and visiting dignitaries, including the Duke of Gloucester, Sir Herbert Hart, General Richardson, and Lord Bledisloe; and the visit to Samoa of a group of New Zealand teachers. Many of the images relate directly to the farewell ceremonies held at the departure from Samoa of Donald Alexander John Rutherford and his family in 1936. They include images of his home and personal servants. Inscriptions: Album page - "Staff of Native Teachers, Western Samoa, 1922-1936" Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with cover bound in tapa cloth; 24.5 x 32.5 cm
Robert Louis Stevenson with family, and servants, at Vailima, Samoa
Date: [between 1890 and 1894]
From: Lands and Survey Department: Photographs taken by Alfred James Tattersall relating to Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa
Reference: 1/2-002525-F
Description: Robert Louis Stevenson (back row, 4th from left) with family, and servants, at the house "Vailima", at Vailima, Samoa. Taken between 1890-1894. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film copy negative
Rutherford, Alex album 1
Date: [Between 1905 and 1936]
From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa
By: Tattersall, Alfred James, 1866-1951; Crown Studios (Auckland, N.Z.)
Reference: PA1-o-445
Description: Photographs of Samoa taken between 1905 and 1936, some taken by Samoan photographer Alfred James Tattersall, many by unidentified photographers. One photograph is not related to the rest, showing two young women flautists from Highcliff School, Dunedin, winners of a Dunedin competition in 1918 (P 90) The earliest ones, taken in 1905, show the damage caused by a volcanic eruption, and show lava pouring into the sea. The rest of the images are related to Donald Alexander John Rutherford, headmaster at Ifi Ifi School (Leififi School) from 1919, becoming Superintendent of Schools from 1923 to 1936. There are many scenes which include his family, with his wife and four children (including Alexander Mathieson Rutherford). Many of the scenes show school activities, including the ceremonies surrounding the opening of the new school at Avele; the schools at Malifa, at Ifi Ifi, Poutasi, Aleipata and other districts; sports teams; school parades, including boy scouts linked with the schools; and groups of teachers, both European and Samoan. General views of Samoa include the construction of a fale, the interior of a fale; fishing; cocoa beans and their harvesting and drying; copra industry, with Solomon Island workers; and sowing cotton seed. Several images show the celebrations for George V's birthday; school breakup feasts; and the farewell flotilla of canoes when the Rutherford family left Samoa in 1936. Social activities of the Europeans in Samoa include tennis, large groups of bowlers, and garden parties at Vailima, the Governor's residence. Inscriptions: Album page - "The Rutherford Family, November 30th 1936 ... Sae-Tupe" Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with cover bound in tapa cloth, light brown cloth spine; 25 x 30 cm
Cox, John & Rosemary :Photographs of Robert Louis Stevenson and Charles Gerald Sheperd ...
Date: 1893-1917
By: Cox, Rosemary N, active 1990s; Cox, John, active 1990s
Reference: PAColl-5959
Description: Arrangement: Copy negagatives at 1/2-180619-F - 1/2-180625-F Quantity: 7 colour copy photographic print(s). 7 colour copy negative(s).
Rutherford, Alex album 2
Date: ca1923-ca1927
From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa
Reference: PA1-o-446
Description: Photographs of Samoa taken during the 1920s by unidentified photographers. Images include scenes of Samoan ceremonies, including the presentation of Fine Mats at Mulinu'u; an investiture; Anzac Day, placing wreaths on the graves of soldiers who died in samoa; scenes of the Faipule (this image with the inscription "Faipule. Samoan Parliament"); ceremonial welcoming canoes; Sir Charles Fergusson, and General George Spafford Richardson; and scenes at various schools, including group portraits of pupils and staff, and sporting teams. Another sequence shows the damage which occurred during a hurricane in 1925, including the grounding of the ship Lady Roberts, and destruction of plantations and buildings. Two photographs have an additional historical note: On page 72: "Visit to native village. `Historical photo. This indicates the rising of the organisation of the "Mau". General Richardson visits the biggest villages. Note the poor attendance and the disturbed countenance of the Chief'. General Richardson and party listening to the orator's speech" and, on page 77 "Visit of General Richardson to the village of Lufi Lufi (Note the poor attendance. General Richardson's disappointment)". Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with cover bound in tapa cloth, dark green cloth spine; 26 x 31 cm
Robert Louis Stevenson with Tuimalealufano and friends at Vailima
Date: [ca 1893]
From: Lands and Survey Department: Photographs taken by Alfred James Tattersall relating to Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa
Reference: 1/2-002524-F
Description: Robert Louis Stevenson with Tuimalealufano and friends at Vailima, Samoa, circa 1893. Photograph taken by Alfred John Tattersall. The National Portrait Gallery (UK) has identified the four men as (Samuel) Lloyd Osbourne; Charles, Count of Wurmbrand-Stuppach; Robert Louis Stevenson; and Tuimalealhfano https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw175175 (retrieved March 2021) Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulose triacetate negative
Eeles, Charles Gerald Shepherd, fl 1892 : Papers relating to Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: [1894-1901
By: Eeles, Charles Gerald Sheperd, active 1890s-1900s
Reference: MS-Papers-6514
Description: Comprises photocopies of a paper on Robert Louis Stevenson given by Eeles to the Stoke Library Society in 1901, with transcript by Mr Cox which describes his first meeting with Stevenson in 1892, his feelings about him, their friendship, aspects of the Stevenson family home and of Samoan life; `A Letter to Mr Stevenson's friends' by Lloyd Osbourne, private circulation (1894); a song by Stevenson at Vailima, played and sung by Teuila; a letter to Dorothy from Vailima (1893); song, `Balaklava charge' (1894); and report of Stevenson's death Language - Some hymns used in the `Letter to Mr Stevenson's friends' by Osbourne are in Samoan Source of title - Supplied Relationship complexity - See also qMS-1894 for notes on life in Samoa by Robert Louis Stevenson Relationship complexity - Photograph material relating to this accession is held in the Photographic Archive. Eeles was navigating lieutenant on the `Curacoa' which visited Samoa in 1892; he met Robert Louis Stevenson and maintained the connection as well as collecting material about him Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs and typescripts (photocopies)
Rutherford, Alex album 3
Date: [1920s]
From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa
By: Armstrong, Charles Clark, -1946
Reference: PA1-o-447
Description: Photographs of Samoa, taken by unidentified photographers, most with no description. Identification for many of them from comparison with Rutherford albums 1 & 2 (PA1-o-445, PA1-o-446). One photograph, taken circa 1890s, taken in Dunedin by Armstrong Photographers, shows the Riddell family with Bessie and James Mathieson (grandparents of Donald Alexander John Rutherford?) Samoan scenes include damage caused by a hurricane in 1925; celebrations for Lord and Lady Bledisloe, with General Herbert Hart and his wife, and George Frederick Hufnagel-Betham. Schools shown include the London Missionary Society Boys' High School at Malua, Ifi Ifi School, Vaipouli School, the Apia Technical School, Avele School and Malifa School. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with cover bound in tapa cloth, light brown cloth spine; 25 x 30 cm
Tate album
Date: 1921
From: Tate, Robert Ward, 1864-1933 :Photographs of Samoa
By: Tate, Robert Ward, 1864-1938
Reference: PA1-o-489
Description: Snapshots of Samoa, taken by an unidentified photographer. Minimal information in captions, with people named with only Christian names or surnames. There are several views of Villa Vailima, the home of Robert Louis Stevenson Some images show places like Rutherford's Fall, and Stevenson's Pool; also one of a group of men and women in "The Birdcage". Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Softbound with light brownish grey cover, entitled "Photo Snaps"; 15.5 x 18.0 cm
Strong, Austin, 1881-1952 :Austin Strong's notebook; grandson of R L Stevenson. Le livr...
Date: 1895 - 1904
From: Strong, Austin, 1881-1952 :[Sketchbooks. ca 1895-1904]
Reference: E-778
Description: Notebook possibly made on a voyage, includes portrait sketches, sketches of sailing ships, a parrot, a lamp and two figures sketching with the parrot and lamp nearby. There is also a page entitled "Vailima", showing portrait profiles of RLS (Robert Louis Stevenson), LO (Lloyd Osbourne), MRLS (Mrs Robert Louis Stevenson, Fanny Osbourne), IS (Isobel Strong nee Osbourne), MIS (Mrs Isobel Strong?) and a bearded baby at the lower centre. There is a sketch of "Bron" and of a "lawyer on board, a very nice fellow. He was a[n] ambassador for something he ..." Also includes a sonnet (beginning "Thou now familiar english semes my turn / Thee, learned Wilson, still I fear to face / Just terror of the younger student race ...") and a short poem entitled "Where is my wife?": "If you don't come tonight / I shall go insane outright / Already more than halfway mad / I'll go entirely to the bad". Also accompanied by a printout of the article form "Historic Nantucket, vol 51, no 1 (Winter 2002) pages 5-9, retireved on 25 March 2009 from http://www.nha.org/history/hn/HN-theroux-strong.htm Other Titles - Louis Quantity: 1 sketchbook(s). Physical Description: Pencil drawings and handwriting in hardcovered notebook, 135 x 190 mm.
Andrew, Thomas, 1855-1939 (Photographer) : Home of Robert Louis Stevenson, Vailima, Samoa
Date: [ca 1890]
From: Lands and Survey Department: Photographs taken by Alfred James Tattersall relating to Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa
By: Andrew, Thomas, 1855-1939
Reference: 1/2-002519-F
Description: "Vailima", the home of Robert Louis Stevenson at Vailima, Samoa, circa 1890. Photograph taken by Thomas Andrew. Inscriptions: Photographer's title on negative - bottom right - "Vailima" - Andrew - Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film copy negative
The Duke of Gloucester and party at Vailima, Samoa
Date: February 1935
From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa
Reference: PA1-o-448-40-4
Description: Photographed taken 1935 by an unidentified photographer. Shows Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester and a group of white uniformed military men and three European women photographed on the veranda of Vailima, Western Samoa. Group identified, seated from left to right; Helen McCarthy; Herbert Hart; Prince Henry; Minnie Hart; Major-General Richard Howard-Vyse. Standing: Captain Derek Schreiber; Captain A. Curtis; Bettina Hart; Captain Howard Kerr; Captain Monty Fairbrother. Source: Similar photograph - Hart, Minne Alma, Eleanor. "Official party, Duke of Gloucester at 'Vailima', Samoa : digital image". Wairarapa Archive, 14-183/10. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Processing information: Description updated 28 June 2023 following information from a researcher.
Duke of Gloucester, Herbert Ernest Hart and party at Vailima, Samoa
Date: February 1935
From: Hart, Herbert Ernest (Sir), 1882-1968 :Photographs of hunting, overseas travel, and Samoa
Reference: PAColl-4197-1-01
Description: Group in Samoa, February 1935. Taken by an unidentified photographer. Shows Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester and a group of white uniformed military men and three European women photographed on the veranda of Vailima, Western Samoa. Group identified, seated from left to right; Helen McCarthy; Herbert Hart; Prince Henry; Minnie Hart; Major-General Richard Howard-Vyse. Standing: Captain Derek Schreiber; Captain A. Curtis; Bettina Hart; Captain Howard Kerr; Captain Monty Fairbrother. Source: Similar photograph - Hart, Minne Alma, Eleanor. "Official party, Duke of Gloucester at 'Vailima', Samoa : digital image". Wairarapa Archive, 14-183/10. Title supplied by Library. From 1931-1935 Hart was administrator of New Zealand government's League of Nations mandate in Western Samoa. (Information from the the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, Volume 3 (1901-1920), 1996, H9) Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 15.1 x 20.9 cm, mounted on to card Processing information: Description updated 28 June 2023 following information from a researcher.
General George Richardson and H J Moors at Vailima, Western Samoa.
Date: 1924
From: Tate, Robert Ward, 1864-1933 :Photographs of Samoa
By: Tattersall, Alfred James, 1866-1951
Reference: PAColl-0085-017
Description: General George Spafford Richardson, New Zealand Resident Commissioner for Western Samoa and H J Moors standing on the steps of Vailima, the official government residence. Photographed on the 26th of September, 1924, by Alfred James Tattersall. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s).
Dr and Mrs Solf at Vailima
Date: 1900s
From: Tattersall, Alfred James, 1866-1951 :Photographs of Samoa
Reference: PAColl-3799-05
Description: Comprises an image of the Solfs on the verandah of a large wooden house, with four Samoan men in uniforms. Mrs Solf has a baby on her knee (probably their daughter Lagi). Inscriptions: Verso - top centre - Samoa; Dr & Mrs Solf at Vailima Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 19 x 24 cm
Feast at Robert Louis Stevenson's House, Vailima, Samoa
From: Lands and Survey Department: Photographs taken by Alfred James Tattersall relating to Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa
Reference: 1/2-002517-F
Description: People seated around a feast which is laid out on a verandah at Robert Louis Stevenson's House, Vailima, Samoa. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).
Basketball game at a garden party at the Governor's residence, Vailima
Date: Between 1920 and 1929
From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa
Reference: PA1-o-445-027
Description: Basketball game at a garden party at the Governor's residence, Vailima, Western Samoa, taken in the 1920s by an unknown photographer. Inscriptions: Album page - beneath image - Vailima, Governor's residence, garden party, basket ball Until ca 1970, the sport now known as netball was known in New Zealand and the Pacific as basketball, or women's basketball. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Gelatin silver print 11.2 x 15.2 cm, mounted on album page
Robert Louis Stevenson with Tuimalealufano at Vailima, Samoa
Date: [between 1889 and 1894]
From: Lands and Survey Department: Photographs taken by Alfred James Tattersall relating to Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa
Reference: 1/2-002523-F
Description: Robert Louis Stevenson with Tuimalealufano at Vailima, Samoa. Photographed by Alfred John Tattersall between 1889 and 1894. Not on back of file print reads: R L Stevenson with Tuimalealufano, Samoa, at Vailima Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s) (copied from original print). Physical Description: Film negative
Robert Louis Stevenson with family, friends, and the band of HMS Tauranga, at Vailima, ...
Date: [ca 1893]
From: Lands and Survey Department: Photographs taken by Alfred James Tattersall relating to Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa
Reference: 1/2-002527-F
Description: Robert Louis Stevenson with family, friends, and the band of HMS Tauranga at Vailima, Samoa, circa 1893. Photograph taken by Alfred John Tattersall. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).
Robert Louis Stevenson's birthday party, at Vailima
Date: ca 1893
From: Cusack-Smith, Thomas Berry (Sir), 1859-1929 :Photographs of Samoa
Reference: PA1-o-546-25
Description: Robert Louis Stevenson's birthday party, at Vailima, taken ca 1893 by an unknown photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Albumen print