MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Heritage Open day offers a unique glimpse into Canterbury’s pioneering past

Some of Canterbury’s most historically significant properties will open their doors at the Hororata and Beyond Heritage Open Day, 12th March 2017. This is a unique opportunity for people to travel through time to Canterbury’s pioneering past by visiting heritage properties and museums in Hororata, Homebush, Glenroy, Glentunnel, Windwhistle and Lake Coleridge.

Properties opening for the day include Gunyah Country Estate, Terrace Station, Homebush Stables, Cotons Cottage and Museum, Washpen Falls, Glentunnel Museum, Steventon (Lady Barkers Homestead), Rockwood Station, The Point Station, St John’s Church and more. Many of these properties are generally only open by appointment and prefer group bookings so this is a unique opportunity to really explore them at your leisure. A number of properties are offering special activities throughout the day.

“There is so much on offer; people can enjoy museums, grand old homesteads, vast established gardens, bushwalks and a wonderful offering of food to treat the taste buds while exploring the district. Some of the properties will have vintage machinery on display,” explained Karen Meares, from the organising committee.

“All of the property owners involved with the project are passionate about sharing not only their heritage properties but also the stories of the people who have lived there before them. Having all of these properties open on one day allows people get a great insight into life in the late 19th century, when the district was the great hope of Canterbury with agricultural and industry development.”

Many of the properties stories are intertwined as the communities developed and the pioneers worked to establish farms and industries such as lime, clay, pottery and coal.

“The Heritage Open Day not only gives the community the opportunity to showcase the region’s interesting heritage, but has provided motivation and inspiration for those who are involved in the heritage of the district. The Hororata Community Trust has been a great support which has really allowed this project to achieve all it set out to do and more,” concluded Karen.

Tickets will be sold at the Hororata Domain from 9.00am; there will be no ticket sales at the individual properties. All properties are open from 9.00am to 5.00pm. More information at www.hororata.org.nz

ENDS

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