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Thames School of Mines
The Thames School of Mines site is nationally significant as a rare and best example of a School of Mines still open to the public. Very few Schools of Mines buildings survive in New Zealand and, of these, the Thames complex is undoubtedly the best preserved and most authentic.
In the 1880s, 30 Schools of Mines were opened around the
country to provide practical instruction to goldminers. The
Thames School of Mines was the largest and one of the
longest-surviving. In 1886 it moved into what had been a
Wesleyan Sunday School, on land that had been a Mäori
urupa (burial ground). New buildings were added later,
including the 1888 experimental works (where prospectors’
ore was crushed and tested) and the mineral museum.
From mining subjects, the school’s curriculum expanded to
embrace electricity, engineering, agriculture and pharmacy. The school closed in 1954, but the mineral museum remained open to the public. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust acquired the complex in 1979.
Today, a visit to the School of Mines provides you with the chance to step back in time. The classrooms look – and smell – exactly as they did all those years ago. As you explore the buildings on your guided tour, you will learn about the history and science of gold mining – and a few tricks which might help you to be a gold miner yourself!
JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAY 2014.....GOLD PANNING
During the School holidays in July we will be running “Gold panning “ Sunday each weekend i.e. the 6th 13th and 20th
And every Wednesday and Thursday i.e. 9th 10th 16th & 17th ,each day will run from 11am to 3pm with the last session beginning at 2.30pm( to end 3pm). Cost per participant is $7.00, non-participating supervising parents free. Sessions last approx. ½ an hour. While finding Gold is not absolutely guaranteed our ‘finders keepers’ policy does apply. This is in addition to our usual Mineral Museum opening and School of Mines Tours between 11am to 3pm where of course accompanied children are free.
Opening Hours
All Year
11 am – 3 pm Wednesday – Sunday
Summer Hours
Open daily, with extended hours.
- Contact: John
- Phone: +64 7 868 6227
- Address: Corner of Brown and Cochrane Streets
Thames
New Zealand