Olveston Historic Home

Olveston Historic Home Olveston was the home of the Theomin family. Built in 1906 is complete with the original contents, six tours daily. Dunedin New Zealand.

David Theomin wanted to build a substantial home that could house his growing collection of paintings and artefacts from all around the world. He intended that Olveston would eventually be left to his future generations to enjoy. Sadly this was not to be the case as both his children didn't have any children of their own. Designed by the acclaimed architect, Sir Ernest George of London. The buildi

ng of Olveston took two years to build (1904 to 1906) and was overseen by local architects, Mason & Wales. The house was gifted to the City of Dunedin upon the death of Dorothy Theomin in 1966. She had been the sole surviving family member since her father died in 1933. A Trust Board was set up called the Theomin Gallery Management Committee to manage the property as a public visitor attraction. Olveston is a time capsule and there has been little change since the house was occupied as a family home from 1906 to 1966 when Miss Theomin died. It is therefore an authentic and original historic house depicting the way of life of a well to do family in the early part of the twentieth century. We welcome your comments and discussion on our page. Please be polite and respectful with your comments and views. Any comments or posts which contain profanities are automatically blocked from our page and we may remove comments which are disrespectful, abusive or considered spam. This page is not to be used for electioneering – any election campaign related posts will be removed. Social media posts, messages and responses are records and may be retained under the Public Records Act. Personal data is subject to the DCC’s Privacy Statement – www.dunedin.govt.nz/privacypolicy

31/05/2026

Alec's Ancient Mystery Part 2!

And the big reveal! Did you figure this one out? Let us know down below and be sure to come back next week for another dive into our collection!

30/05/2026

Alec's ancient mystery part 1

Alec is back this week with another gem in our collection! Can you tell us where this piece might have come from? Let us know down below, and check in tomorrow for the reveal!

From Red Beech to Kōwhai: A Story of Renewal at OlvestonIn 2022, the rebuilding of the retaining wall between Olveston a...
30/05/2026

From Red Beech to Kōwhai: A Story of Renewal at Olveston

In 2022, the rebuilding of the retaining wall between Olveston and a neighbouring property required the removal of a very large New Zealand red beech tree from the Olveston garden. This was a major undertaking and brought significant change to the upper garden area, which had previously been heavily shaded and planted with shade-loving species. The environment and planting now reflect the increased light, air, and open space. Many of the glasshouse plants have also been replaced or relocated to suit the new conditions, as this area had once been sheltered by the tree.

The impressive 450kg base of the beech tree was retained, and the Olveston team sought an organisation that reflected the Theomin family’s values to help find a carver. That organisation was PARS.

PARS (Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society) was founded in Dunedin in 1877 and is one of New Zealand’s oldest social service organisations. Originally known as Patients and Prisoners Aid Society, their core purpose was to aid with essential needs like boat and rail fares, clothing, and small stipends to help individuals transition back into the community. David Theomin was on the Committee from 1900 to his death, for a period he was the Chairman. He also served as Vice-President of the James Powell Home Committee, Warrington.

The result is a stunning carved kōwhai flower, representing strength, courage, and new beginnings. The kōwhai is also regarded as the unofficial flower of New Zealand. New Zealand beech wood is highly workable and often used to create fine furniture, joinery, and flooring, thanks to its even texture and consistent grain. Some of the beech wood has also been gifted to local woodturners.

Whatever the season, the Olveston garden continues to calm and delight visitors who venture through its gates. The garden is free to visit and open daily from 9.00am–5.00pm.

Olveston Historic Home is an authentic historic experience in the heart of Dunedin.

You can check out more about Olveston by visiting our website: https://olveston.co.nz



Article prepared by Kay McKenzie, Guide at Olveston Historic Home.

With winter approaching, it is nice to have something to keep you warm indoors and out.There are not many items of cloth...
27/05/2026

With winter approaching, it is nice to have something to keep you warm indoors and out.

There are not many items of clothing belonging to the Theomin family remaining at Olveston Historic Home. However, we do have an original mink stole in the Collection; one that would have kept the wearer nice and warm and stylish when going to a concert or out for a special occasion.

In the Olveston Gift Shop we have a wonderful selection of scarves and wraps that could keep you warm and stylish too. These stunning textiles are crafted by Rod and Sue McLean from merino wool grown and spun locally in Otago using a rare Hattersley Weaving System dating to the early 20th century. Designed in the late 1800s in Yorkshire by George Hattersley the System comprises pedalled cast iron looms, a pirn winder, bobbin winder and warping mill. Originally imported into New Zealand in the 1940s, by the RSA Rehabilitation League in Christchurch for recuperating WW2 veterans, the complex machinery now resides in the McLean & Co. workshop in Oamaru. Our Gift Shop carries a variety of sizes and colourways in classic check and herringbone weaves. Handy coin purses are available too. For a truly special gift, consider a baby blanket, delicately and intricately woven to keep little ones cosy and comfortable.

Enjoy browsing in the relaxed and peaceful atmosphere of the Olveston Gift Shop.
Open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm
42 Royal Terrace, Dunedin
Ph: 03 477 3320

Olveston Historic Home offers an authentic historic experience in the heart of Dunedin.

24/05/2026

Our beautiful bear part 2!

Tell us, did you get it right? Let us know down below and check in next week for another gem in our collection!

23/05/2026

Matthew is here this week with a favourite item of many Olveston guests! Can you answer his question?

Check in with us tomorrow and learn all of the mysteries!

On a visit to Olveston there are so many exquisite objects and works of art on display it can be easy to overlook some o...
23/05/2026

On a visit to Olveston there are so many exquisite objects and works of art on display it can be easy to overlook some of the more everyday details and items that one might expect to find in a home, even the kitchen sink! When inspecting the Kitchen and staff rooms with guests, something that often draws attention and receives comments are the beautiful and unusual copper sinks. These were used for washing up dishes: the double set of sinks in the Scullery was used to keep Kosher standards in line with the Theomins’ Jewish faith, meaning that items used for preparing and serving meat and dairy items would be kept separate.

There is also another, single, copper sink in the Butler’s Pantry. The Butler was responsible for washing the most valuable china and glassware and so this sink comes with its own water filter to filter out impurities and protect fragile items from scratches.

While these sinks have a very striking appearance the choice of this material would have been primarily for practical reasons. The house pre-dates the invention of stainless steel, which eventually became commonplace in kitchens. But at the time that Olveston was built copper would have been the obvious choice. It is relatively soft and malleable so can be easily shaped (and gentler than porcelain against fine china). It is also non-toxic and resistant to bacteria, making it an excellent choice for plumbing applications in particular. Copper is indeed one of the oldest metals to have been used by humans, its use for sinks and basins being recorded as far back as Greek antiquity. Mass production techniques brought about by the industrial revolution would have made them more widespread throughout Europe and America. However, fitted and plumbed versions such as these examples at Olveston would still have been reserved for more expensive homes. There are no identifying ‘makers marks’ or labels on the sinks at Olveston to confirm where they were manufactured but, considering their bespoke design and the extensive metal industries that existed in Dunedin in the 19th century, it is possible, if not quite likely, that they were made locally.

As with many things of the past there has even been somewhat of a (modest) revival for using copper for sinks and basins in modern kitchens, making use of its good looks and anti-microbial properties. So Olveston may not be the only place you will see them these days, but your next visit here might just give you inspiration for your own kitchen renovations!

Come on one of our six daily 1-hour guided tours and learn about the Theomin family, their magnificent collection and how they lived in the early 1900s.

Olveston Historic Home is an authentic historic experience in the heart of Dunedin.



Article prepared by Peter Marshall, guide at Olveston Historic Home.

23/05/2026

We’re excited to welcome back Braden Southee
Join us for an evening of great food, harbour views and live music to set the perfect tone

📍Glenfalloch
📅 Friday 29th May 2026
🎸 Live Music with Braden Southee
💲 No entry fee, No door charge - just good music!

When consultations about the design and layout of Olveston were underway between David and Marie Theomin and their archi...
21/05/2026

When consultations about the design and layout of Olveston were underway between David and Marie Theomin and their architect Sir Ernest George, daughter Dorothy Theomin, just about sixteen years of age at the time, was included in the discussions. Specifically, she was asked whether she’d prefer a larger, single bedroom for herself, or two smaller rooms instead – a bedroom adjacent to a sitting room, all of her own. Dorothy opted for the latter arrangement, presumably so she could have a personal space to entertain friends of her own age, away from the more formal adult spaces in the house. And so, today, we can visit her lovely sitting room, the only room in the house with its own private balcony, and spend some time amongst the furnishings, artworks and objects that reflect her own choice and taste. One of the paintings there, “On the Shores of the Lake” by Ceridwen Thornton (1901 – 1953), frequently draws the attention of visitors. Its soft, painterly shades of blue and green highlighted by bold yellow brushstrokes make for a striking image that has been beautifully rendered onto several items in the Olveston Gift Shop including a gift card, lens cloth, a compact travel umbrella in a matching sleeve, and an eye-catching scarf in soft and luxurious silk.

Enjoy browsing in the relaxed and peaceful atmosphere of the Olveston Gift Shop.
Open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm
42 Royal Terrace, Dunedin
Ph: 03 477 3320

Olveston Historic Home offers an authentic historic experience in the heart of Dunedin.

17/05/2026

Alec's legs part 2!

Alec is here with his legs one more time! Did you get this one? Have you used anything like this before?

Check in with us next week for another great piece from the Olveston collection!

Address

42 Royal Terrace
Dunedin
9016

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+6434773320

Website

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