STEP BACK IN TIME

Welcome to Bushtown's Edwardian Era "Main Street"

A recreation of the early European settler period and celebration of Waimate's Edwardian heritage.

Known as "Main Street" this collection of original and reconstructed heritage buildings have been carefully recreated at Bushtown Heritage Site and depict the lifestyle of the era from 1854 when the first European settlers arrived and Te Waimatemate's population started to grow requiring housing, a general store, post office and church.

WAIMATE EDWARDIAN HERITAGE GROUP

The local Edwardian Heritage Group members are Bushtown's ambassadors for "Lane's Cottage" and "Langdale Cottage". Thanks to the generosity of their volunteers these buildings have been lovingly restored and regular 'living' displays are created through the year.

BUSHTOWN'S "MAIN STREET"

BRINGING THE EARLY EUROPEAN SETTLER ERA TO LIFE

LANE’S COTTAGE 1879

Frederick and Matilda Lane were married in Dorset, England in 1870 and came to New Zealand in 1873 settling on the outskirts of Waimate.

The two roomed wooden cottage was built in 1879 on eleven and a half acres at 95 Parsonage Road. Frederick farmed to provide for his large family.

Matilda managed without running water, electricity or sewerage. As the family grew, a similar two roomed building (long demolished) served as bedrooms for the children.

Though the years, family have occupied this small dwelling until the 1970’s. Afterwards it was used for storage until its move to Bushtown for restoration.

LANGDALE 1920

This small outbuilding from Keillors Road was built about 1920. It was originally used as a bathroom and pantry attached to one of Willowbridge District’s early dwellings built in 1899.