Fletcher House (Otago Peninsula) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fletcher House |
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Fletcher House in 2008
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| General information | |
| Type | Residential |
| Architectural style | Edwardian |
| Address | 727 Portobello Road |
| Town or city | Broad Bay, Dunedin |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 45°50′46″S 170°37′41″E / 45.84611°S 170.62806°E |
| Completed | 1909 |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Fletcher and Morris |
| Designated: | 19 April 1990 |
| Reference #: | 5230 |
Fletcher House is a special old home located in Broad Bay, a beautiful spot on the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, New Zealand. This historic house was one of the very first buildings made by Sir James Fletcher. He later founded Fletcher Construction, which became one of New Zealand's biggest companies.
The house sits at 727 Portobello Road, right on a small piece of land that looks over Turnbulls Bay. It is managed by the Otago Peninsula Trust, with help from the Fletcher Trust. Fletcher House is unique because it is the only fully restored and furnished Edwardian-style house of its kind in New Zealand that you can visit.
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Building Fletcher House
This typical Edwardian-style house was built in 1909. It was made for Hubert Green, who was the local postmaster, and his new wife, Agnes. Broad Bay was a popular holiday spot for wealthier people from Dunedin. Because of the good work on Fletcher House, James Fletcher's building company quickly became well-known and grew bigger.
A Home Through the Years
Many families have lived in Fletcher House over the years, each adding their own story to its history.
The Green Family (1910–1931)
Hubert and Agnes Green were the first owners of the house. They lived there for over 20 years, making it their home in the lovely Broad Bay.
The Miller Sisters (1931–1938)
After the Greens, three sisters named Miller owned the house for a few years.
The Patterson Family (1938–1981)
A couple named Patterson owned Fletcher House for more than 40 years. They made some changes to the house during their time there. For example, they lowered the ceiling in the dining room. They also replaced the front steps with a ramp, which made it easier for someone using a wheelchair to get inside.
The Dickson Family (1981–1990)
Mr and Mrs Dickson owned the property next. They added more space to the back of the house. This included a new kitchen, a bathroom, and a laundry room.
Bringing Fletcher House Back to Life
In December 1990, a company called Fletcher Challenge bought the house. They wanted to bring it back to its original beautiful condition.
The Restoration Project
Teams from the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and the Dunedin Botanic Garden helped with the restoration. They worked hard to restore both the house and its garden to how they would have looked in the Edwardian era.
Opening to the Public
After two years of careful work, Fletcher House was ready. It opened its doors to the public in October 1992. Sir James Fletcher, the son of the original builder, officially opened the house.
Today, Fletcher House is a listed by Heritage New Zealand. It is one of several historic homes in the area that people can visit, including Larnach Castle and Glenfalloch.
