17 Oct 2016

A winner in the recent Canterbury Heritage Tourism Awards, Riccarton House will open its doors during Beca Heritage Week.

Riccarton House, a recent winner in the Canterbury Heritage Tourism Awards, has some new attractions for Beca Heritage Week.

Riccarton House

Riccarton House dates back to the mid 19th century.

The house was the original home of the Deans family who built it in 1856 and lived there until 1947. It was severely damaged during the Canterbury earthquakes and painstakingly restored before re-opening in 2014.

During the $2.7 million restoration process, a previously hidden history of the 160-year-old house was uncovered. Multiple layers of wallpaper have been peeled away to reveal the original paper brought by Jane Deans when she emigrated from England. Single cell leyden batteries that were once charged by a waterwheel in the grounds were found in the walls and have now been exposed for display.

Riccarton House was the first in Christchurch to have electricity and running water and even had its own intercom system so the residents could communicate with their servants. 

During Beca Heritage Week guided tours, called Hidden Histories of Riccarton House  will be held on various days. Visitors will be able to see new textile exhibits including a christening gown dating from the 1870s worn by all of Jane Deans' 12 grandchildren, Jane's betrothal gloves, and her daughter-in-law Catherine's silver engraved parasol. There is also a Victorian evening gown that belonged to Jane Deans' grand-daughter Marian, and a christening bonnet that dates back to 1854 and was worn by Jane's son John. A more contemporary exhibition piece is the No.15 All Black jersey worn by Robbie Deans.

Jane Deans' betrothal gloves

Jane Deans' betrothal gloves displayed in a jewellery box in her room.

Riccarton House customer experience co-ordinator Antonia Allison said these pieces of family history were being displayed in a new way that allowed visitors to feel they were uncovering secret treasures. Another favourite for visitors is the recently opened attic area, which was used for storage and also has a children's play area. 

Hidden Histories of Riccarton House Tours at 16 Kahu Road, Riccarton will be held until Friday, October 21 from 10.30am to 11.30am.