Dunedin’s historic Olveston was built for Dunedin businessman, collector and philanthropist David Theomin.  Designed by acclaimed English architect Sir Ernest George, Olveston was built as a family home. Like Larnach Castle, it was furnished with fine art, furniture and artefacts.

The house was built for future generations of Theomin’s to enjoy. But this was not to be. Both the Theomin children died without heirs. David Theoman’s daughter, Miss Dorothy Theomin lived at Olveston until her death in 1966. She gifted the house and its original contents to the City of Dunedin.

A historic house museum since 1967, Olveston is a time capsule. Little has changed inside the house since it was a family home between 1906 to 1966.  Olveston is then, an authentic and original historic home. It is a wonderful window into the life of a wealthy merchant family in the early twentieth century.