Auckland Heritage: Sarah Mathew's Musical Adventures

Join Dr Polly Sussex for this HeritageTalk for Auckland's Heritage Festival and hear all about Sarah Mathew and the musical entertainments of the English ladies.

Sarah Mathew arrived at the Waitematā Harbour in 1840 with her husband the surveyor Felton Mathew. At first, they lived in a tent in present-day Britomart and Sarah kept “my devoted piano” in a box beside it. Once their house was built the piano became indispensable for entertainment.

In this talk, Dr Polly Sussex will share a glimpse of recreational music in the life of a lady in early Auckland using examples from musical scrapbooks compiled by the family of missionary Henry Williams.

Dr Sussex will play music from the Henry Williams scrapbooks on a square piano from 1835 at a concert that will take place on 7 November 2019 at Central City Library.

Booking not essential, but is recommended. To ensure your place, please phone Research Central 09 890 2412 or book online:
https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/pages/event.aspx?eventid=6764

About HeritageTalks
Are you interested in family and local history; the historical stories of New Zealand, the Pacific, and beyond?

Then why not come along to one of our HeritageTalks - Waha pū-taonga and hear more about both our personal and our shared heritage

Experts in specialised fields deliver these talks and provide insight into our histories. HeritageTalks take place at least fortnightly, in the Whare Wānanga, Level 2, Central City Library unless otherwise stated. Booking is recommended although not essential.