On a piece of land purchased by Daniel Gray 1911 on the east coast between Kaitoke Beach and Awana, the sons Hugh and Frank built a home during 1922 on family land using kauri timber and materials washed ashore following the SS Wiltshire shipwreck. Both men had been involved in the successful rescue of all those on board the stricken vessel - including the ship's cat - during the wreck on 31st May 1922. High quality writing paper salvaged from the wreck was used to line the walls of the homestead. Baltic pine timber used for derricks were brought up Kaitoke creek on a raft as the tide came in and delivered to the house site by horse and dray. The pine was used as trusses, purlins and rafters, and cabin doors were also put to good use. Frank never married, but Hugh and his wife, Ida, raised six children in the house before moving to Auckland during World War 11. The homestead was then used for the next 50 years as a holiday home by the family before falling into a state of disrepair. In 2001 is was gifted to Bob Lawson and Di Hayes by Allan Mitchell, to become part of our Heritage Village. In 2009 it was again relocated, to the current site, and in 2013 work was done to restore it, in order to house our museum collection.