Souvenir – where did the word come from? It dates from about 1765, from the French noun souvenir – to remember. Charlotte Preston Larkin designed this souvenir with a double purpose – to remember and to inspire. The plaque is cast in plaster of paris, in relief, painted and sealed. Not only is it a representation of her handmade building, it carries a message. A sticker on the reverse says: “PUAWANANGA – In Maori, means Seed of Knowledge. This adobe cottage was built by Charlotte Preston Larkin while her sons were serving during 1939-1945 war. This souvenir she has made in the hopes that it will show the way to those seeking a home at a small cost.”
A Souvenir from 1941 – #187
