New tourist experience in Russell

The Clendon Cottage visitor centre has opened in Russell. Photo / Supplied

Russell has a new tourist experience on offer with the opening of Clendon Cottage.

The historic Russell landmark is now a new visitor centre for the neighbouring historic Catholic mission printery Pompallier Mission, opened on June 3.

The centres are operated by Heritage New Zealand.

The new centre has an admissions area, gift shop and improved staff facilities, and replaces a cramped Gatehouse which has funnelled visitors on to the site for more than two decades.

Pompallier Mission's property manager, Scott Elliffe.

Pompallier Mission's property manager, Scott Elliffe, said the building, its gardens and views of the Russell foreshore provided a stunning entry portal and approach to the Mission Printery and parkland beyond.

The cottage, believed to have been built as early as 1834, was built for James Reddy Clendon " a merchant, resident magistrate and New Zealand's first US Consul.

However, he didn't formally acquire the title to the land until 1844.

"The reason for this was a character by the name of James Harvey who had chartered the ship Fortitude from Clendon and his business partner Henry Stephenson," said Elliffe. "As they watched Harvey sail into the distance neither knew it would be the last time they would ever see their ship, as Harvey absconded with the vessel to Chile."

He said the financial repercussions for Clendon had been significant.

"As one of a number of claimants seeking recompense from Harvey's abandoned assets, he was eventually granted title to the Clendon Cottage land by Governor FitzRoy in 1844. James Clendon lived in the house with his first wife Sarah from 1850, and after Sarah died in 1855 he lived in the cottage with his second wife Jane from 1856 to 1859. The Clendons moved to the Hokianga where Clendon House was built at Rawene," said Elliffe.

Clendon's house in Russell was modified about 40 years ago, it is a Category 2 historic place with a few stories to tell.

"Eventually we'll be looking at providing some really good interpretation that will convey this aspect of the Clendon story as part of the overall Pompallier Mission visitor experience," said Elliffe.