Balgownie House
16 Hammerton St, Lower Hutt
1pm -4pm, prior phone booking necessary, (04) 567 9063 (Balgownie Trust)

An elegant Victorian House, Balgownie was built for Wellington businessman and politician, John Duthie in 1900, and named after the suburb in Aberdeen where Duthie was born. It was one of the first houses in the area to use electricity, and the generator building is also a registered historic place. Following Duthie's death in 1915, the house was home to another businessman, William George, before being taken over by the Sisters of Mercy for a boys' orphanage and hostel. In 1958 the house became a Parish Convent, and in 1970 it was used as a training centre for the Marist Brothers.  Since 1984 the building has been owned by the Balgownie Trust who have undertaken significant restoration work.