The Anderson Park Trust will officially reopen Anderson House next month, eight years after it was closed to the public due to earthquake risk.

Built by Sir Robert Anderson in 1925, the property was gifted to the Invercargill City by the Anderson family in 1951 and served as the Invercargill Art Gallery until January 1914 when it was no longer safe as a public venue.

“The journey to having the historic house strengthened has taken time but the Trust acknowledges the significant amount of work put into the project by the Invercargill City Council which is to be congratulated for completing improvements to the building’s structural integrity,” says Trust chair Craig Macalister.

He says work still needs to be carried out repurposing Anderson House from its previous role as an art gallery.

“Currently we have a beautiful historic homestead, with heritage status, which is a blank canvas and the Trust is working through options for fittings and furnishings. The weight of public opinion did not favour turning the property into a museum piece rather Invercargill people wanted an asset everyone can enjoy which will also assist in promoting the city.”

Macalister says the Trust will make the property available for people to hire as a function or event facility and there has already been interest expressed in using it as a venue. The Trust itself will also host community events with a focus on promoting local artists and musicians.

“Ultimately, we want a small café presence in the house but it is small steps at the moment while options as to what that may look like and potential funding arrangements are considered. In the meantime after it is officially reopened Anderson House will be open to the public at weekends to visit and Trust representatives will be on hand to discuss ways of providing support.”

Mayor Clark will officially reopen Anderson House on Saturday, November 12, at 12.30pm with Anderson family representatives present. This will be followed by a Karakia from the Waihopai Runaka before the doors are opened to the public.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Invercargill people to refamiliarise themselves with one of the city’s most outstanding assets,” says Macalister.