OBHS Memorial Archway
Our Dunedin team has completed a special project at Otago Boys’ High School – restoring the memorial archway that remembers over 230 old boys who were killed in World War I.
The archway was only designed for foot traffic, and has sunk and warped in recent years as the number of cars coming into the school have increased.
In preparation for restoration work, we carefully removed the original materials, then reinstated them once we had reinforced the memorial.
We made some fascinating discoveries along the way, including a letter written 98 years ago. Dated May 18, 1923, the letter was signed by a builder, plumber, architect, janitor, and two slaters who worked on the archway. The letter also included a half penny coin dating from 1914.
Otago Boys’ High School compiled a new time capsule, including an academic blues award, school badges, and other items of modern history, which we carefully sealed back inside the strengthened archway.
