Tudor Towers - Rotorua, New Zealand
Posted by: 
paulspaper
S 38° 08.142 E 176° 15.540
60H E 435061 N 5778869
A beautiful building once used as a bathhouse. It now contains a museum.
Waymark Code: WM40BQ
Location: New Zealand
Date Posted: 06/16/2008
Views: 58
The Bath House is an imposing timber-framed building that demonstrates attempts by the New Zealand government to establish Rotorua as a spa resort of international renown. Erected in a geothermal area now known as the Government Gardens, the bathhouse was constructed in 1906-1908 by the newly-created Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. It stands on land that had been gifted by Ngati Whakaue 'hei oranga mo nga iwi katoa o te Ao' ('for the benefit of the people of the world') when the government established Rotorua as a tourist resort in 1880. Although several timber bathhouses had been erected in the late nineteenth century, it was not until the town had been put under the administration of the Tourist Department in 1901 that large-scale investment in the spa occurred. The bathhouse was the centrepiece of development in the resort, being designed to attract wealthy visitors from the Northern hemisphere for medical treatment and genteel relaxation. It was erected at the considerable cost of £40,000, and was opened in 1908 by Prime Minister Joseph Ward (1856-1930). As a prestigious project, attempts were made to stimulate overseas interest from the start, with Admiral Sperry, commander of the visiting American Atlantic Fleet, being invited to participate in the opening ceremony.
Date location was entrusted to the New Zealand Historic places: 02/04/1985
Type of history commemorated (short description):
Historic building.
Website pertaining to the location: [Web Link]
Town, city, or region nearest to the site:
Rotorua
Admission fees if any: 12.00 (listed in local currency)
Hours of operation:
unknown
Is it accessible to the general public:
yes
Year placed: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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