It's the biggest castle in New Zealand, with an interesting history. Dating back to 1857 an Otago run holder named William Dansey bought a sheep and cattle station that would later become 'Campbell Park Estate'.
In 1861 Dansey built the first house, 'Dansey's Hut' and then later that year sold the property to Robert Campbell the son of a wealthy Scottish family.
In 1868 Campbell married and although he lived in a two story-house, he decided it wasn't big enough so had a workforce of Scottish craftsmen shipped from Scotland, plus materials from Italy and Scotland were also shipped over. Campbell sent his wife, Emma Hawdon, back to England temporarily while the 35-room limestone castle was built.
Robert Campbell died in 1889 aged 47 years, and a year later his wife Emma died - they had no children to pass the property on to, so the estate was sold to the New Zealand Education Board and became 'Campbell Park School for boys'.
Then in 1987 the boys school closed and the estate was passed into private ownership. Campell Park Estate has hosted movie production crews, multiple sporting events, musical, arts and cultural festivals.
In 2015 the property was up for sale again and was purchased by a Chinese-owned company. The Chinese plan to create an educational facility for Chinese students as well as tourist accomodation.
Campbell Park Estate really does look impressive and while I was researching about it, I discovered it includes; 32 homes , an educational campus with dormitories, kitchen facilities, an administration block, 7 classrooms, a library, a theatre, a gym, swimming pool, tennis courts, workshops and a number of historic buildings.
There are also old stables, a large restored villa, two smaller Oamaru stone buildings, an orchard and gardens.
To get there we drove along 'Special School Road' which is off the Kurow-Duntroon Road (State Highway 83). Unfortunately the estate is closed to the public so I had to make do with taking photos from the side of the road.
I was sent to this
ReplyDeleteAll boys school
In 1972. As a
12 year old I was
Placed in taylour house suited for children my own age yes dorms we slept in
There was 3 houses all up
Taylour, dansey and Campbell
I ended up being in all 3 houses. I spend in total just over 3 years
Before being
Sent back to
My parents.
I have. Some horrible
Story's
About this
Place
And cruel
Punishment
Dished out by
House
Masters
And
Others in charge
I do also have some happy
Moment s
But largely the bad outweighs the good, I do in hinesight
Blame myself
Because I was a bad and mixed
Up child.i cannot change the past
But I can and choose to move forward and forgive,
Tear down all 3 houses that's my
Suggestion, keep all other
Buildings
Go well
From
Former
Boy
I was there anonymous I know!!
DeleteDon't ever blame yourself for someone elses abuse towards you. Being bad and mixed up, gives no human the right to physically and/or psychologically abuse you, especially being a defenseless, vulnerable, lost child! The adults knew exactly what employment they were taking on, therefore should have acted accordingly. Being closed off from society is so dangerous. The stories of abuse are so common place. Because of your forgiveness, all those in charge have dogged a massive bullet!! I wish you all the best in making peace with your demons. You'll never get rid of them, but you can learn to befriend them. You learn to live peacefully alongside them, rather than holding on to the fight. Kia kaha Former Boy.
Delete