Olveston, Dunedin, New Zealand

Dunedin’s Historic Home

  There are few historic houses that can offer such authority and conviction as Olveston and involve the visitor in feeling
very much part of the experience as a guest in the family home. The Olveston experience is a very personal one.

It is a unique heritage experience in New Zealand.

Olveston was designed for David Theomin by London Architect,Sir Ernest George, (1839-1922), and built between 1904 and 1906. The Jacobean style, grace and grandeur of Olveston is distinguished by a wealth of decorative detail. All thirty-five rooms at Olveston tell a story of a gracious age. The home is sited in the inner city and is within walking distance from the city centre, being built on an acre and surrounded by garden.

Olveston reveals elaborate furnishings, fire places and stained glass feature windows. The architect's attention to detail will delight the discerning. Brass lock plates, elegant door hinges, window catches and openings, taps and original light fittings and switches all add to the feeling of discovery.

David Theomin and his family travelled extensively and lavished their home with irreplaceable artifacts and priceless treasures. Bronze, cloisonné and ivory from Japan and Chinese jade and ceramics reflect David Theomin's interest in decorative art from East Asia. Some 240 paintings and graphics grace the rooms. Olveston has only ever had one family in residence. Miss Dorothy Theomin, the sole surviving member of the family, died in 1966 and the property complete with all its contents, was passed into the care of Dunedin City.

Olveston has found a special place giving visitors a glimpse of a lifestyle long gone and one that can never be recreated. It opens an unparalleled time capsule. Visitors are able to reflect on the lifestyle as they move through the 21 rooms open for viewing during the course of the one hour guided tour.

Hours: Olveston is open 365 days of the year, (Christmas Day only by prior arrangement.) Regular daily tour times at 9.30 and 10.45 am, 12 noon, 1.30, 2.45 and 4 pm cater for casual visitors for whom a reservation is essential. For tour groups a timetable to suit can be accommodated by prior arrangement, evenings included. Your communication to us is our most important need and is essential to allow us to provide a standard of service that we are not prepared to compromise.

Reservations: Address: 42 Royal Terrace, Dunedin, New Zealand Ph: 64-3-4773320 Fax: 64-3-4792094 E-mail: olveston@xtra.co.nz Website:  www.olveston.co.nz Prices: NZ$17 Adult, NZ$8 Child (School age) GST Incl.