Reid Residence/Mulberry Cottage, 139 Powderham Street (c1880s/1917-18/1933)

The building we see today at 139 Powderham Street appears to have been built in at least three distinct stages.

It was originally built as a rental property for Thomas Lovell in the 1880s. The first transaction in the Land Deeds Register for Town Section 303 is a conveyance from William Mumford Burton to Thomas Lovell in October 1880. There is evidence (see linked Draft Heritage Assessment) that Lovell built a cottage on the section soon after this date.

In 1901 the property was sold by Messrs Callaghan & Co. to Thomas Furlong Jnr., with the sale reported in the Taranaki Herald as to a 'local investor'. May Olivia McKay purchased the property in November 1915 and sold the western portion (present 141 Powderham Street) to Ernest Charles Heel. This property was purchased by sisters Theodora and Florence Bedford in November 1917. Substantial additions were completed soon after with Frank Newall noted as the builder. 

Dora married well-known New Plymouth insurance inspector Edward (Teddy) Reid in 1932, and more alterations were carried out in 1933 and in 1939, the latter work completed under the guidance of prominent local architect Thomas Herbert Bates. 

After Edward's death in 1942, Dora continued living in the house until her death on 11 April 1980, aged 95. By this time the house had been her home for more than sixty years. 

The house was later converted to commercial premises.

Related items:

Reid Residence, 139 Powderham Street New Plymouth, Draft Heritage Assessment (Hamish Crimp, 2019)

Town Section 303, Taranaki Land Deed Index I13 Page 101.

Taranaki DP1727 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)