The Trust’s April funding round distributed $1.33 million to 37 arts, heritage and social services groups, with the largest grant going to the Chinese Camp.
"Thanks to the latest funding, the Camp Charitable Trust are able to complete demolition, stabilisation and extension work on the Chinese Empire Hotel and Stables, and are close to fully funding the internal restoration and upgrades to the buildings," camp trust spokesman Prof Richard Walter said.
"These buildings represent the rich history of this heritage site, once the earliest and largest Chinese settlement in New Zealand."
Established in 1867 following the Gabriel’s Gully gold rush, the camp may have included more than 30 built structures at the centre of of a tent shanty town.
It housed hundreds of Chinese gold miners in a community that included stores, medical practitioners and official facilities, between 1867 and 1910.
Once restored, the buildings will house a museum displaying artefacts from archaeological work on the site.
The trust aims to have the current stages largely completed within the next 18 months, although full public opening of the restored buildings will occur in phases, as work progresses.
"Eventually the camp will also have a visitor and education centre, and will provide a first-rate visitor experience, including modern digital technology.
"We hope it will become an asset for the wider community," Prof Walter said.
The full project is expected to cost at least $3.5m and the camp will also serve as a venue for cultural festivals and community events.
"We’ve had really good support from Clutha District Council [and] community organisations all around the Otago region, [and] the Otago Community Trust in particular. We’re really grateful for that."
