Olveston Historic Home

13/09/2025

Life in Edwardian Times: A Glimpse Inside Olveston

Daily life in the Edwardian era was a world away from the conveniences we enjoy today. At Olveston, each morning began with a task that seems almost unimaginable now — preparing the newspaper.

The daily paper arrived with smudgy ink that would blacken your fingers. Before it reached the breakfast table, the Butler would heat an iron and carefully press each page to dry the ink and set it. Some newspapers even had to be cut and folded — yet another task to complete before the family sat down for breakfast in the dining room bay window, with its sweeping views over the city, harbour, and ocean.

Butter-making was another regular chore. While Olveston no longer has a butter churn, it still has butter pats tucked away in the kitchen — small paddles used to press out excess liquid and imprint decorative ridges around the edge of the finished butter. School groups visiting today sometimes get the chance to churn cream themselves, and their delight at watching white cream transform into golden butter is always a highlight. Before the arrival of the electric refrigerator in 1930 (imported all the way from Ohio, USA), butter and milk were stored in a marble-shelved meat safe to keep them cool.

Keeping the house warm was another major undertaking. With 20 fireplaces — not unusual in Dunedin — the home relied heavily on fire. Beyond the ones in the main rooms, there was a special Shacklock fireplace in the drying room for laundry, and evidence of a copper boiler once used to heat water for washing clothes. In the basement, two large furnaces heated water for the central heating system and the house’s hot water taps. Tending all these fires was far too much for one person, so the work was divided among the household staff.

Thankfully, the staff had help in the form of a hand-pulled lift, running from the coal cellar in the basement all the way up to the maids’ quarters. This small luxury saved them from carrying heavy loads up and down stairs — and it’s still in use today, helping with furniture during events hosted at Olveston.

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 Vivienne Houston, guide at Olveston Historic Home.

12/09/2025

We are always thrilled to showcase local jewellers and craftspeople here in the Olveston shop, so we are very excited to now be selling the work of Sonia Joy Parker from En Joy Wood and Workshop.

Here we have a lovely collection of wooden pendants, and New Zealand coin earrings. My favourite part of these pieces, are that Sonia has noted not just what type of wood her pieces are made from, but specifically where they have been reclaimed or sourced from. Want a gift for a local student? Then perhaps a Kauri pendant made from doorstep on Castle Street! Or maybe you know a keen outdoors person who would love a pendant made from Gorse wood from the Otago Peninsula!

And for the numismatists among us, Sonia’s coin earrings capture our history through throughout the decades. This long defunct tender such as 3p coins, Sixpence and my favourite, the 5 cents, have been brought back to life through her work!

Come in and explore the entire wonderful range of items here at Olveston for yourself. The Olveston Gift Shop is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily. 42 Royal Tce, Dunedin. Ph: 03 4773320

11/09/2025

10/09/2025

Join classical guitarist Braden Southee on Saturday 4th October at 6.00pm for an intimate evening of timeless music, featuring works that span the elegance of Viennese classicism, the poetry of Romantic lieder, and the warmth of Spanish lyricism.

The program journeys from Fernando Sor’s folk-inspired Marlbrough Variations, to his Gran Solo - a bold symphonic work for the solo guitar. Exploring classical guitar arrangements of Franz Schubert’s Lieder - including Ständchen, Aufenthalt, Lob Der Tränen, and Das Fischermädchen - revealing the voice of the guitar as a poetic storyteller. The operatic interpretation of Mauro Giuliani’s Sonata Eroica displays the celebrated drama of Viennese opera, before closing with some inspired Robert Schumann arrangements by Fransisco Tarrega, complementing his own lyrical and expressive compositions.

“Southee's impressive command of the classical guitar and passionate love for his craft were evident in every note he played.” — Otago Daily Times

Book your seat now. Book at: https://www.olveston.co.nz/visiting-olveston/events-calendar.

09/09/2025

🥂 Olveston Historic Home Celebrates the Release of its First Official History Book – 58 Years in the Making

📕 It’s finally here! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a beautifully crafted book commissioned by the Olveston team. Olveston has now been a museum for as long as it was a private residence, and we felt it was time to document both its remarkable story and the house itself thoroughly.

This landmark publication explores the fascinating history of the Theomin family, the architectural masterpiece that is Olveston, and the vibrant city of Dunedin they called home. Both the house and the family who lived there provide a unique lens through which to view the life, culture and society of early 20th-century Dunedin. Olveston remains one of the country’s most meticulously preserved Edwardian mansions.

The story culminates in an extraordinary act of foresight and generosity by Dorothy Theomin, who arranged before her death in 1966 to bequeath the entire estate—the house, garden and all its contents—to the Dunedin City Council. Thanks to her gift, Olveston has become the much-loved heritage attraction it is today. Her father, David Theomin, set the guiding philosophy for the family and this project: “As long as you have enough to keep yourself and your family in health and comfort, and can look after your friends and dependents, that is all you need; the rest is on loan.”

A project of this scale could only be realised by a dedicated and talented team. The book has been brought to life by acclaimed author John Walsh and renowned photographer Jane Ussher, under the expert direction of publisher Nicola Legat.

Generous support was provided by the Edward Moritz Theomin Charitable Trust, Perpetual Guardian Trust and the Dunedin Jewish Trust. We also acknowledge Margery Blackman, biographer of Dorothy Theomin, whose research and insights were invaluable in shaping this story. To them, our incredible staff past and present, and to everyone who has supported Olveston over the years, we extend our heartfelt gratitude.

This book is for you.

The story of Olveston is now ready to be shared. Bring this elegant volume into your home and place a piece of New Zealand history on your coffee table.

Order your copy today for $85 + $7 shipping anywhere in NZ. Click the link below to secure your piece of Dunedin’s heritage!
Limited Print Run

➡️ https://shop.olveston.co.nz/collections/our-favourites/products/olveston-portrait-of-a-home

06/09/2025

Gazing out over the Drawing Room from the eastern window, we find four titans of English literature. They are Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare and Alfred Tennyson. Their pride of place in the Drawing Room is a great example of the clear motif that runs throughout Olveston, drawing your constant attention to the family’s love and dedication to the arts.

While on a tour of Olveston, you will easily be able to see the faces of these men. What you will struggle to see however is their words, captured in stained glass on each other panel of the bay window.

I must admit that before writing this post, I was not entirely familiar with what quotes could be found on the windows. In the hour we have to explore the home with guests, reciting verses is not a particularly efficient use of time, so they are one thing I have never committed to memory.

However, let us take the time now to slow down, and enjoy the first two of these quotes.

Firstly, from Chaucer:

"Suffice thee thy good, though it be small;
For hoard hath hate, and clymbyng ticklelness."

This excerpt comes from the poem “Truth”, written sometime in the late 1300’s. The poem, like many in the medieval period, is attempting to impart some moral wisdom to the reader. In this particular part of the poem, Chaucer is encouraging us to be content in the little we may have and warns that those who hoard wealth will be burdened with hate and “clymbyng ticklelness”, which according to my research, is a feeling of rising insecurity. The entire poem, both in its original old English, and a modern translation, can be found here: https://jacobriyeff.com/2019/03/05/chaucers-truth-a-ballade-of-good-counsel/

Secondly, Spenser’s words:

"Sleepe after toyle, port after stormie seas,
Ease after warre, death after life does greatly please."

This quote comes from Spenser’s magnum opus, The Faerie Queene, published in 1590. The Faerie Queene is one of the longest poems in the English language, so sadly I will not be able to elaborate on the quote in its full context. But briefly, this epic poem is broken down into 6 books, each of which focuses on a different virtue. Book one, where our quote can be found, focuses on the virtue of holiness. Our hero, the Redcrosse knight, overcomes many trials and tribulations, to return the lady Una home ( for fans of this poem, please forgive the incredibly watered-down synopsis).
This quote is my favourite in the windows. It reminds the reader that peace will be found at the end of toil and hardship. Sleep after work, a calm port after the stormy sea, peace after war and finally, death after a long life.

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.

Article prepared by Alec McWhirter, Operations Supervisor at Olveston Historic Home.

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

05/09/2025

Leith Ensemble in Concert

Monday, 17 November 2025, in the Olveston Drawing Room

Doors Open: 5:45 pm | Show Starts: 6:00 pm
Duration: 90 minutes (with short intermission)
Tickets: $50.00 per person | Limited to 40 seats

Join the Leith Ensemble for an unforgettable evening of rich musical storytelling, from the elegance of fin-de-siècle France to the vibrant soundscape of modern Aotearoa.

Performers:
Heleen du Plessis (cello)
Tessa Romano (mezzo-soprano)
Tessa Petersen (violin)
Sanaz Rezai (piano)

Programme Highlights:
Lili Boulanger – Clairières dans le ciel
Gabriel Fauré – Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major
Maurice Ravel – La Valse
Anthony Ritchie – He Moemoea & Song (with text by James K. Baxter)
Anton Arensky – Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor

Expect luminous harmony, expressive lyricism, and dynamic contrasts as this exceptional ensemble brings each piece to life.

Book now at https://www.olveston.co.nz/visiting-olveston/events-calendar – limited seating available! Secure yours today.

03/09/2025

EXCLUSIVE INVITE: PHOTOGRAPHER'S INSIGHT CHAT
Saturday, 13 September | From 10:00 AM
Olveston Historic Home

To celebrate the release of our stunning new book Olveston: Portrait of a Home, we’re delighted to invite our cherished Olveston Facebook friends to an exclusive morning with renowned photographer Jane Ussher.

Join us for an intimate conversation as Jane shares behind-the-scenes insights into her creative process and explains what made Olveston such an inspiring and unforgettable subject to capture through the lens.

Limited to 40 guests – RSVP by Friday, 5 September
Call 03 477 3320 or email: [email protected]
________________________________________
About the Book:

Commissioned by Olveston and published by Massey University Press, Olveston: Portrait of a Home is a richly illustrated tribute to Dunedin’s architectural gem. The book pairs Jane Ussher’s evocative photography with compelling storytelling by writer John Walsh, capturing the grandeur and warmth of the Theomin family's historic residence.

Originally featured in Ussher’s acclaimed Rooms: Portraits of Remarkable New Zealand Interiors, Olveston inspired this dedicated volume. “The Theomins were avid collectors with an adventurous and enquiring eye,” Ussher says. “The images I took in 2022 left a lasting impression—I leapt at the chance to tell Olveston’s full story.”
OLVESTON – PORTRAIT OF A HOME will be available at a $10 discount for event attendees.

We can’t wait to share this beautiful new chapter in Olveston’s story with you.

Warmest regards,
The Olveston Team

02/09/2025

We are very excited to debut a new product here in the Olveston Shop. Expanding our range of silk scarves that showcase some of the spectacular art collected by the Theomins, we are happy to add “On the Shores of the Lake” by Ceridwen Thornton to this wonderful collection.

This beautiful silk scarf elegantly captures the vibrant blues, yellows and greens of Ceridwen’s work, while grounding them in the painting's stunning earthy tones of the scene’s grasses and hills. This creates an eye catching, yet very wearable statement piece.

Ceridwen Thornton was a young painter in the 1920s and a close friend of Evelyn Page with whom she was a student at the Canterbury College of Art in Christchurch. Ceridwen’s painting possesses a bold fresh confident impressionistic style. She was a contemporary of and exhibited regularly with Rhona Haszard and Ngaio Marsh along with Evelyn Page, Rita Angus and Rata Lovell-Smith all of whom were members of ‘The Group’ from the 1920s onwards.

The Theomin’s inventory at Olveston suggests "On the Shores of the Lake" was purchased sometime between 1927 and 1933. This painting now graces the wall of Dorothy’s sitting room and is always a piece that captures the eye on any tour.

‘On the Shores of the Lake’ joins our much loved ‘Roses’ and ‘Belinda’s Beach’ scarves, which have proven to be a favourite of guests visiting the Olveston shop.

Come in and explore the entire wonderful range of items here at Olveston for yourself. The Olveston Gift Shop is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily. 42 Royal Tce, Dunedin. Ph: 03 4773320

01/09/2025

Join classical guitarist Braden Southee on Saturday 4th October at 6.00pm for an intimate evening of timeless music, featuring works that span the elegance of Viennese classicism, the poetry of Romantic lieder, and the warmth of Spanish lyricism.

The program journeys from Fernando Sor’s folk-inspired Marlbrough Variations, to his Gran Solo - a bold symphonic work for the solo guitar. Exploring classical guitar arrangements of Franz Schubert’s Lieder - including Ständchen, Aufenthalt, Lob Der Tränen, and Das Fischermädchen - revealing the voice of the guitar as a poetic storyteller. The operatic interpretation of Mauro Giuliani’s Sonata Eroica displays the celebrated drama of Viennese opera, before closing with some inspired Robert Schumann arrangements by Fransisco Tarrega, complementing his own lyrical and expressive compositions.

“Southee's impressive command of the classical guitar and passionate love for his craft were evident in every note he played.” — Otago Daily Times

Book https://www.olveston.co.nz/visiting-olveston/events-calendar.
Adults $50.00, Gold Card $40.00 & Students $30.00.

31/08/2025

This Spring at Olveston: The Greenbelt Invitational

To mark 20 years since his first solo show in Dunedin, landscape artist Sam Foley has invited over 20 of his favourite local and NZ artists to respond to the iconic Town Belt—the subject of that original exhibition.

This specially curated show will run through September and October at Olveston, with a ticketed opening night on Friday, September 5th, in the Great Hall.

Tickets are limited. To express interest in the opening night, please contact Sam Foley via the online form—include the number of attendees and use “Greenbelt Invitational” as your subject.

The exhibition is free to view during regular hours for the 2-month period.