Skip to main content

Story: Domestic recreation and hobbies

Reading for pleasure, late 19th century

Reading for pleasure, late 19th century

Reading is relaxing, and readers often choose comfortable surroundings for it. Reading in a hammock is the height of relaxation, and because hammocks are difficult to get in and out of they tend to be occupied for hours on end. Miss Archer of Buller looks to have settled in for a lengthy session.

Using this item

Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection

Reference: 179976

Permission must be sought from Nelson Provincial Museum before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Domestic recreation and hobbies – Reading, listening and watching, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/41104/reading-for-pleasure-late-19th-century (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 14 March 2013.