Vallance Cottage

Vallance Cottage Built of mud brick in the 1890s by William Vallance, the cottage was ‘home’ to this family of ten. William Vallance was born in New Cumnock, Ayrshire in 1864.

He came to New Zealand in 1888 on the Tainui arriving in Dunedin. He wasted no time in setting out for Central Otago with a mate, settling first at Bald Hill Flat, now Fruitlands 12 miles from Alexandra. Jean Hyland was born in Dunedin, they were married on the 5 May 1897 at the Falconers Hotel, Bald Hill. She was 21 he was 31. They raised eight children in the small 2 roomed cottage that William built out of hand made mud bricks.

So many successful Open Days at the cottage over the years. We do wonder what’s next after the south wall collapsed late...
18/09/2025

So many successful Open Days at the cottage over the years. We do wonder what’s next after the south wall collapsed late 2024 🤔

Flashback to 1980 - an overnight stay at the cottage on our road trip. Look at that beautiful fruit tree.
09/02/2025

Flashback to 1980 - an overnight stay at the cottage on our road trip. Look at that beautiful fruit tree.

20/11/2024

🏠Vallance family reunion🏡

We were thrilled to be part of the family reunion at Vallance Cottage Reserve last Saturday, and to meet so many descendants of William and Jean Vallance who founded the historic cottage in 1896. To read more and see photos go to: https://www.codc.govt.nz/your-council/news?item=id:2s79axrax1cxbyhn5dre

Vallance Cottage

25/10/2024

🏓PLAY WEEK 26 October - 1 November 2024

Play Week Aotearoa 2024 is all about celebrating the value play brings to all New Zealanders, young and old. Learn more:
https://sportnz.org.nz/playweek/about-play-week/

🛝Go out and enjoy the district's wonderful spaces over the long weekend and next week - pick a park to visit: https://www.codc.govt.nz/services/parks

Thanks to all those who visited Vallance Cottage Reserve to take in the lilacs this week - a wonderful place to picnic amongst the trees, flowers and blossoms.
Pictured, Berly Lee and her granddaughter Josie.

18/10/2024
01/08/2024

A few more photos from family albums

17/07/2024

Some old family photos to browse on this chilly, very inside winters day

Warm up with a Hot Toddy 😊
31/05/2024

Warm up with a Hot Toddy 😊

We’ve been busy making cards of the cottage. They can be found at the Information Centre in Alexandra. If anyone in the ...
21/04/2024

We’ve been busy making cards of the cottage. They can be found at the Information Centre in Alexandra. If anyone in the family group would like a few, contact me at : [email protected]

Wouldn’t Great Grandad be chuffed!
21/03/2024

Wouldn’t Great Grandad be chuffed!

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐮𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬!For the week 18-24 March we have 150 children booked to take part in a range of mud-brick making...
11/03/2024

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐮𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬!

For the week 18-24 March we have 150 children booked to take part in a range of mud-brick making activities at the cottage. Moulds have been collected from the Museum plus some are being made especially for this event. The plan is that the kids can bring a shoe box, make a mud brick and then take it back to school to dry.

Different techniques will be demonstrated; similar to those William Vallance used when he built the cottage in 1896.

Huge thanks to Enviroschools Otago and the team at Central Otago District Council who have supported and organised this extravaganza.

There will be a mud-brick making display on Sunday 24 March 10-2pm when the cottage is open to the public.

Come and visit us – we’d love to see you there.

Address

Samson Street
Alexandra

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

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