Jamie Jacobs: Looking backward and forward: Turnbull House enters its second century

Join Jamie Jacobs from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as he shares the story of Turnbull House and what’s ahead for this historic building.

Join us at the Library or online.

Discover the past and future of Turnbull House

Turnbull House was built in 1916 as a private home for the collector and bibliophile Alexander Horsburgh Turnbull. After his death in 1918, it was home to the Alexander Turnbull Library until 1973.

The three-storey, brick building will reopen in 2027 after seismic strengthening. Heritage features have also been restored and systems updated.

In this Friends of the Turnbull event, Jamie will discuss the national significance of the building — its architecture, its connection to Alexander Turnbull, and its role as a library. He’ll also explain how heritage shaped the restoration project to ensure this cultural asset is ready for its second century.

About the speaker

Jamie Jacobs has been in the role of Director Central Region Kaiwhakahaere Matua Te Takiwā o Te Pūtahi a Māui for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga since early 2018. As Director, he leads a highly capable professional team based in Wellington and working throughout the southern half of the North Island and the top of the South Island. This team manages heritage properties, and provides heritage advice and services to property owners, mana whenua, local authorities and central government agencies.