This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Proposal for Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Built shortly after 1870, this is a fine example of a late 19th century house, which has grown over time. It is one of the oldest houses surviving on Chatham Island. It is associated with its original owner, D H Meikle, who was an American whaler, and later a smuggler. It also has associations with J E Engst and Walter Hood, both whom are Chatham Island identities who lived in the house with the Meikles in their old age.