Built towards the end of 1886, with a 12-foot stud, the original house had a relatively modest frontage, with one room either side of the doorway, but was of high quality however, since Dunlop had a mortgage of £1300 from the Rev Samuel Williams. Dunlop named the house Kelvin, after his family associations with Glasgow, and the residence became known as Kelvin Rise. Due to financial difficulties, Dunlop sold the house and cottage to William Douglas Lysnar on the 26 August 1898. Lysnar, who was a lawyer, businessman and politician, eventually moved there with his wife, Ida Eleanor Tiffin. The house was extended in 1900, with Lysnar adding more rooms to the elevation facing the river. The lower area was developed into a tennis court and ornamental garden. In 1919, on the occasion of the Lysnars’s daughter Winifred turning nineteen, a ballroom and tower were added to the house. Under Lysnar’s ownership the house became a hub of social activity in Gisborne, with various visiting dignitaries being hosted for banquets and afternoon teas.
Lysnar died in 1942 and Winifred Lysnar moved to Okitu. According to the Gisborne Herald, William Lysnar had proposed the idea of the house becoming a museum in a 1922 will, and in 1954 his daughter gave the lower part of the property to the then Gisborne City Council to become Kelvin Park, and sold the house to the council at a low price so it could be turned into a gallery and museum. Kelvin Rise opened in its new role as Gisborne Art Gallery and Museum on 11 June 1955. The house was altered in 1958 to better function as a museum. In 1975 the house was split in two, with the tower and ballroom being moved to The Marina, where it still stands. Kelvin Rise was turned 180 degrees and moved to the edge of the property so that a new purpose built museum could be erected on the Stout Street site. In 1977 Kelvin Rise opened as a studio complex for the use of local artists and is still used by the Gisborne Art Society today.
Kelvin Rise has historical significance as part of what was called Kelvin Rise, the home of the Lysnar family. As prominent citizens and cultural patrons, the Lysnars have played a large role in the development of Gisborne, and the on-going use of Kelvin Rise as a studio for the Gisborne Art Society is a reminder of their legacy. The building is a connection to this grand residence and the people and events that took place there. While the building has been extensively modified in terms of its exterior and interior, it still remains a handsome example of Victorian domestic architecture with a number of attractive ornamental flourishes. As part of the Tairawhiti Museum complex, and with its history as a museum and then a studio for local artists, Kelvin Rise enjoys the esteem of the Gisborne community.


List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Able to Visit
List Number
3537
Date Entered
5th April 1984
Date of Effect
5th April 1984
City/District Council
Gisborne District
Region
Gisborne Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Lot 2 DP 2148 (RT GS3A/850) and Lot 13 DP 319 (RT GS2D/379), Gisborne Land District and the building known as Kelvin Rise thereon, and its fittings and fixtures.
Legal description
Lot 2 DP 2148 (RT GS3A/850) and Lot 13 DP 319 (RT GS2D/379), Gisborne Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Able to Visit
List Number
3537
Date Entered
5th April 1984
Date of Effect
5th April 1984
City/District Council
Gisborne District
Region
Gisborne Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Lot 2 DP 2148 (RT GS3A/850) and Lot 13 DP 319 (RT GS2D/379), Gisborne Land District and the building known as Kelvin Rise thereon, and its fittings and fixtures.
Legal description
Lot 2 DP 2148 (RT GS3A/850) and Lot 13 DP 319 (RT GS2D/379), Gisborne Land District
Construction Details
Start Year
1886
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1900
Type
Addition
Description
rooms added to rear
Start Year
1919
Type
Addition
Description
ballroom and tower added
Start Year
1958
Type
Modification
Description
internal alterations
Start Year
1975
Type
Modification
Description
tower and ballroom removed and relocated to marina
Start Year
1975
Type
Relocation
Description
house moved and turned 180 degrees
Start Year
1977
Type
Modification
Description
internal renovation completed
Construction Details
Start Year
1886
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1900
Type
Addition
Description
rooms added to rear
Start Year
1919
Type
Addition
Description
ballroom and tower added
Start Year
1958
Type
Modification
Description
internal alterations
Start Year
1975
Type
Modification
Description
tower and ballroom removed and relocated to marina
Start Year
1975
Type
Relocation
Description
house moved and turned 180 degrees
Start Year
1977
Type
Modification
Description
internal renovation completed
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
26th August 2011
Report Written By
Damian Skinner, Gail Henry, Linda Pattison
Information Sources
Hall, 1976
Rob Hall, ‘Wyllie Cottage’, Gisborne Museum & Arts Centre information sheet, 1976, unpaginated
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Lower Northern Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A fully referenced report is available from the NZHPT Lower Northern Area office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
26th August 2011
Report Written By
Damian Skinner, Gail Henry, Linda Pattison
Information Sources
Hall, 1976
Rob Hall, ‘Wyllie Cottage’, Gisborne Museum & Arts Centre information sheet, 1976, unpaginated
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Lower Northern Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A fully referenced report is available from the NZHPT Lower Northern Area office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Art Centre
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Museum
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Museum
Web Links
description:
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Art Centre
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Museum
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Museum
Web Links
description:
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