150th Anniversary Celebrations

5 September, 2010


On the weekend of 4th and 5th September 2010, the 150th Anniversary of the building of the Blockhouse, after which this district is named, was celebrated.

A large mural of the Blockhouse was placed on the Village Green beside [[Armanasco House]] on 3rd September. An unveiling ceremony was held the following day in the afternoon, and guests were then invited to view a display in Armanasco House showing the history of the Blockhouse.

At the mural unveiling ceremony, guests were asked to gather at the foot of the steps of Armanasco House, where they were welcomed by Keith Rusden, President of the Blockhouse Bay Historical Society. He then invited the Mayor of Auckland City, John Banks QSM, to address the gathering. He was followed by David Cunliffe, Member of Parliament for the district, who also spoke.

Escort by soldiers from the re-enactment group, who formed a guard of honour for the Mayor of Auckland City

The Mayor was escorted to the flag-draped mural by soldiers from the re-enactment group,who also formed a guard of honour.

The cord was pulled and the soldiers retrieved the flag, revealing the Blockhouse Mural.

The soldiers fired their muskets as a salute to the Blockhouse.

The Blockhouse mural celebrating the 150th anniversary of its building


After inspecting the mural the guests adjourned across the road for afternoon tea at Barefoot in the Bay Café.

On Sunday, 5th September 2010, Armanasco House was open to the public with a special display of photographs depicting the history of the Blockhouse.