Pleasure at the Nelson City Council's action in going ahead with the purchase of Isel Homestead and the adjoining ground was expressed at the 1960 annual meeting of the Nelson Historical Society by the president, Mr L. E. H. Baigent. "At long last we have in sight a suitable resting place for the treasures which the Society has," added Mr Baigent.

He went on to explain that, for the exhibition of ordinary material such as old photographs, old maps, old implements and the like, the masonry section of the Isel home would be quite suitable with a small amount of alteration, while the purchase of the adjoining two acres would round out the site and make it more attractive, in addition to its value for historical use.