Background of "The Old School " Mt Somers Ashburton NZ - The Old Schoolhouse

Background and History of The Old School House Mount Somers, Mid Canterbury

The distinctive two-storey cottage is constructed of heart of birch timber from Peel Forest and was built beside the original Mount Somers School to accommodate the schoolmaster. The builder was William Wright from Kaiapoi who later had a colourful career in battles against Don Carlos of Spain as well as serving with the East India Company.

The Mount Somers School opened on 29th May 1876 with a roll of eight pupils and continued to serve the area from this site for another 45 years until a new school was built on the current site in the Mount Somers village.

The Old School House has been extremely well preserved and remains to this day furnished and fitted in a genuine New Zealand colonial style. The cottage is currently listed as a category B Heritage building.

The gardens have been developed to their current beauty by owners who continue to value and treasure the property and building.  The style of the gardens fits in well with the cottage theme of colonial but with formal symmetrical walkways. Mature trees shelter and provide stunning panoramic views with the ever changing seasons.