Melrose Historic House & Garden, Prefect venue for Weddings, Meetings and other celebrations Nelson City New Zealand  
Melrose History
Home  - History -  Friends of Melrose - Photo Gallery

The house was originally built about 1876 for Charles Folwell Willett Watts, who came out to New Zealand aboard the Will Watch in 1841 and worked as a surveyor for the New Zealand Company.

After his death in 1881 it became the home of his daughter, Francis, and her husband Percy Boland Adams, a prominent Nelson lawyer. It was at this time that much of the planting of the ground was carried out by Mr Adams’ manservant, Joseph Busch.

Garden parties were held in the rose garden at the back of the house where Melrose Terrace runs today.

 

For more history on the house contact our historian at:  info@melrosehouse.co.nz

Percy and Francis had one son, Noel Percy Adams, who eventually inherited the property.

His wife became very interested in the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers and was at one time a Dominion President.

This association was acknowledged by Colonel Adams when he arranged for the Women’s Division to have the use of the property, and for a number of years the W.D.F.F. used the house as a holiday-rest home.

In 1973 the property was gifted to the City Council for the use of the citizens of Nelson.
 
Website developed by Definitive Media Internet Services ©