The Pah Homestead, located in Hillsborough in Auckland City, was built between 1877 and 1879 for the Auckland businessman James Williamson. It was established as Williamson’s ‘gentleman’s residence’, and was one of the largest houses of the period.

William Hart, an early Auckland settler, purchased the original 162ha property from local Māori in 1843. The grounds have significant cultural significance for local iwi, as an area that once contained the Whataroa Pa. In 1870 the land was sold to Thomas Russell.

The Bank of New Zealand gained ownership of the homestead in 1888, following Williamson’s death, and leased it to the Anglican Church. It was later purchased by the Sisters of Mercy in 1913. In more recent times, the homestead became known as the Monte Cecila House and was utilised to serve social needs; as an orphanage, a novitiate house, boarding school and for emergency housing.

In September 2002, the Auckland City Council purchased the Pah Homestead, as part of an overall plan to develop the surrounding estate into a city park – Monte Cecila Park. The roof and the exterior and interior of the building were upgraded and restored by the Council, in consultation with several organisations such as the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

The Pah Homestead became the new permanent home of The Wallace Arts Trust in August 2010. It opened to the public as the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre on 15 August, 2010.