A Wonderful Day of Heritage and Community

Yesterday’s Historical Homes Tour was a truly special event, and we are absolutely blown away by the turnout and community spirit.

Over 300 people joined us to explore some of Nelson’s most remarkable historic homes, soaking up stories of the past, unique architecture, and lovingly maintained details from eras gone by.

The weather mostly held out for us – a bit of rain later in the day, but it didn’t stop our visitors from enjoying the self-guided tour and Devonshire Tea experience.

This event would not be possible without a huge team effort:

• To the generous homeowners who opened their doors, thank you for trusting us with your spaces and sharing a piece of history with the community.
• To our research writers; Sue Thomas, Sandra Carter, and Suzanna Pearson – your thoughtful and engaging storytelling brought each home to life.
• To our volunteers, who welcomed guests, staffed the homes, helped at the Devonshire tea, and kept everything flowing behind the scenes – you are the heart of this event.
• To Carol and the team at Gourmet Catering for the freshly baked scones, and to the kitchen crew (including Charlotte from Nelson College for Girls, and Amira, Sienna and Lilijana from Garin College) – thank you for your energy and teamwork.
• To Jan and Ngaire, from Isel Floral Art group, who created the beautiful floral table decorations for the Devonshire Tea, your creativity and care helped make the space feel so special.
• And of course, a special thank you to Betty, our long-standing volunteer who welcomed guests at the door and sold raffle tickets on the day.

It really does take a village, and we’re lucky to be part of one that turns up with such heart and generosity.

Thank you to everyone who made the day such a success. We’re already looking forward to the next one.

And, if you have a historical home – or know someone who does – and might be interested in being part of the 2026 tour, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us at info@cancernelson.org.nz or phone 03 539 1137.