Alberton is a distinctive colonial mansion, built about 1863 by one of Auckland's elite landed families. Originally belonging to Allan Kerr Taylor (1832-1890) and his first wife, Patty (nee Meredith, 1839-1864, pictured below), the dwelling was erected on the lower slopes of Mt Albert as the centrepiece of their 203 hectare (500 acre) country estate. Overlooking a sizeable proportion of their land, it may have replaced an earlier scoria cottage, which Taylor is reputed to have constructed after buying part of the property in 1849, aged seventeen. Taylor was one of several brothers of Scots descent who purchased estates on the outskirts of early Auckland, funded by their father, an officer in the Indian Army. Among the wealthier migrants to the settlement, Taylor and his brothers prospered further by selling land for suburban subdivisions as the town expanded.
Alberton began life as a two-storey timber farmhouse with at least eleven rooms and a cellar. Its conversion to a fashionable mansion probably occurred in the 1870s, after the family's income had shifted from farming to land sales and company investments. Additions included an eastern wing with ballroom and a set of exotic corner towers with curved, ogee-shaped roofs. The latter may reflect oriental influences, linked to Allan Taylor's colonial Indian origins. The remodelled house at the head of a long, tree-lined driveway was increasingly used for social entertainment, including 'the first riding ball in New Zealand' in 1877.
Allan Taylor's second wife Sophia (nee Davis, 1847-1930, pictured above) made a number of modifications to the house, including the addition of a sewing room, after he died in 1890, which may reflect the priorites and concerns of a female-dominated household. Sophia was a well-known supporter of women's suffrage.
The building remained in the family's hands until 1972, when it was bequeathed to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust/Pouhere Taonga.
Alberton is significant as one of the best-preserved houses of the colonial elite in the Auckland region, providing tangible evidence of the grandeur and individuality of many such residences. It gives valuable insights into the domestic lives of wealthy households, including the respective roles of women, children and servants. It is a graphic reminder of the value of family networks in colonial society and their connections with other parts of the British Empire. The building provides important information on construction methods, materials, design and decor, and shows how these technologies and fashions changed over time.
Historic Alberton is surrounded by a beautiful half-hectare park-like garden.
Visitors can stroll around the lawn and admire the many protected trees including magnificent old oaks, Californian redwood, Japanese cedars, rare sandpaper figs, and old fruit trees. The garden provides a peaceful oasis amid the bustle of central Auckland where you can hear native bird song and the sound of water splashing from the ancient fountain.
The picturesque garden is a small reminder of the large formal garden which was originally located in front of Alberton. It is a lovely area to enjoy for a stroll or as a backdrop for wedding photographs.