The Rossmore Homestead, a house of elegant proportions and character built in the Arts and Crafts style in 1915, was the homestead for a new farm property on what was formerly the Dumgree Estate. It is believed that the river stones for the lower walls were dropped in the wrong place, under the hill, rather than in the sunnier spot by the lake. However, the house was built where they were delivered.
Key features of Rossmore are: the elaborate combination of brick and stone on the ground floor, the hexagonal bay window projecting into the enclosed veranda and the imposing facade with its first floor balcony. Bought by the Westenra family in 1928, the farm was renamed ‘Rossmore’ after the family property in Ireland.
The Seddon earthquake of August 2013 damaged the house beyond repair after the unreinforced lower walls sheered. Sadly, the house was demolished to make way for a new home on the property. To provide a link with Rossmore, a number of pieces from the original house were used in the build