Nelson Mail building

About

The first Nelson Mail building was destroyed by fire but a replica can be found at Founders Heritage Park on 87 Atawhai Drive, along with printing presses and other memorabilia.

Image right: Nelson Evening Mail Office, The Nelson Provincial Museum Tyree Studio Collection 332964/3

History

Historic image of Nelson Mail building. The Nelson Evening Mail was the first daily newspaper published in Nelson on 5 March 1866. The paper was founded by Robert Lucas, a printer originally from Gravesend, England. Lucas came with his family to Nelson in July 1859.  On his arrival he immediately set up a printing business.

The Nelson Evening Mail provided healthy competition for two other existing newspapers The Examiner and the Colonist who both tried to change from weekly to become daily papers.  The former ceased publication in 1874, and the latter merged into the Mail in 1921.

Robert was joined in business by his sons, and the newspaper company continued to be in Lucas family ownership right up until the sale to Fairfax Publishing in 1993.

The first editor was Mr. F. J. Blundell, who held the position for twenty years until his death in 1891.

A replica of the wooden building that housed The Nelson Evening mail's offices in Whakatu Lane can be found at Founders Heritage Park. The Lucas family completely funded the Founders Mail office and the working exhibits in it. Distinctly painted in yellow and brown, it houses equipment which was used to print early editions of the Mail, as well as machinery from more recent decades, showing the technological changes in the newspaper industry over the years. Among the treasured pieces of early printing equipment are a handsome black linotype machine - mainstay of the newspaper industry until 30 years ago - and an Albion hand-press of the kind used for newspaper printing a century or so back.

Expansion of the Nelson Evening Mail necessitated a move to Bridge Street in 1910 to what was considered palatial new premises at the time. The façade of this building is still standing after a restoration and fronts today's busy offices of Nelson's daily newspaper.

Reference: "120 Years of the Nelson Evening Mail  1866-1986"

Location

The Nelson Mail building is located in Bridge Street toward Rutherford Street.

For more information

For more information on heritage walks and heritage sites please contact Arts and Heritage Team Leader.