Broadgreen House (circa 1855) is a charming cob cottage built by early English settlers to Nelson. Today it is a beautifully furnished and restored historic house museum showing family life for early Nelsonians between 1850 to 1950. It is one of the largest cob houses open to the public in New Zealand. The house itself is not available for hire but a small community hall next to the house is available, as well as the large lawn area and the extensive and stunning rose garden.

On display are many items that give us a glimpse of domestic life for established Pakeha families in 19^th century Nelson. Highlights include a child’s straight-backed chair made from teak salvaged from the wreck of the Fifeshire; a beautiful custom-made Kauri sideboard; a Broadwood Piano brought to Nelson by the Saxtons on the Clifford in 1842; exquisite wallpaper from the 1878 Paris World Fair; a gasolier chandelier from the Tyree homestead; and an English longcase clock from the 1750’s.

Broadgreen Historic House also features a nationally significant textile and period costume collection; including one of New Zealand’s oldest quilts made in Ireland in 1776; and some of Nelson’s early settler gowns and accessories. Every year a new display highlights different pieces of this collection.