Love of heritage - Liffey Cottage

Lincoln was one of some 40 villages and townships that sprang up across the plains as Pākehā migrants poured into Canterbury from the 1850s. In 1875, a cottage was built in the village centre, where it became a family home and, at the front, a butcher’s shop. In 1975, the old cottage was due to be demolished to make way for a supermarket. But an action group formed to save this treasure from the town’s past. With community support, the cottage was moved to a new site by the Union Church and lovingly restored. Liffey Cottage is now a community facility, home to and run by the Lincoln and Districts Historical Society. Both cottage and society illustrate Selwyn people’s passion for sharing their local history and preserving their heritage.

Image: Liffey Cottage on the move, around the corner from Gerald Street into James Street, Lincoln, February 1977. Malcolm L A Gordon. Lincoln and Districts Historical Society collection (LHS49).

Kei te whakaaturia 

On display  

Exterior and interior models of Liffey Cottage, made by Jackie Smith, 2000s. On loan from Garden City Miniaturists. 

Early days
The original cottage was small, had six rooms and was made of weatherboard. It was built in Market Square in 1875 for W. A. Murray. By the time this photo was taken in 1880, it was home to John and Agnes Muir. They lived there with their nine children (six born in the cottage). John ran his butcher’s shop from a window in the front room.

Image: Market Square, Lincoln, 1880. Lincoln and Districts Historical Society collection (LHS126a) 

Taking action
In 1897, builder Henry Exon purchased the cottage from the Muirs and for many years it was used as a home for successive families, before being used as a shop, and lastly a student flat. In 1975, plans were made to demolish the run-down cottage to make way for a supermarket. A group of locals passionate about preserving the town’s heritage formed the Liffey Cottage Action Committee. They gained council approval to relocate the cottage.

On the move
In 1977, the town came out to watch the cottage move to the James Street site where it still sits today. Over subsequent years, with community support, the cottage was restored – a piece of Lincoln’s heritage saved and preserved for future generations.

Liffey Cottage is managed and maintained by the Lincoln and Districts Historical Society, with support from Selwyn District Council. You can visit the cottage in James Street, Lincoln, from 2–4pm on the first Sunday of every month. 

Image: Liffey Cottage on its trailer at the new site in James Street, Lincoln, 1977.   Malcolm L A Gordon. Lincoln and Districts Historical Society (LHS112)