Built in the 1920’s the house is made of Matai exterior and Rimu framing cut from the bush at Kakahi, south of Taumarunui. The timber was railed to Frankton and pre-cut at a purpose-built sawmill designed to mass produce houses for railway workers throughout the north island.

This railway house was donated to the then, Te Kuiti & District Historical Society Inc. by Deryn Barton and relocated to its current position in Rora St (beside Tiffany’s Café), from the railway settlement on Te Kumi Rd.

The house was cut in half and transferred by Patrick O’Sullivan along with a group of men in their 70’s dubbed ‘Dad’s Army’ who also put the house back together and set about refurbishing it.
The Council donated $20,000 toward the refurbishment of the historical house and the use of land. It also could not have been possible without the generosity of local businesses: –

Hugh Burt Joinery – windows, benches, steps, a dish rack and other repairs.
John Deere Electrical – wiring and electrical hardware
Don Pickering – hardware items
John Thom Ltd – paint and lining
Phillip Collinson – paper hanging
Quota Club – roofing iron
Placemakers – Timber

And donations from the community.

Dad’s Army members:-
Andrew Wagstaff, Russell Barnard, Keith Walker, Russell Aldridge and Charlie Mckinder.

The Heritage house was completed and opened to the public in May 2007. It is manned by dedicated mostly retired local volunteers and is maintained by the Te Kuiti and District Historical Charitable Trust.