Established in 1844 under the aegis of the New Zealand Company, the Nelson School Society lead by Matthew Campbell provided secular public education to children in the fledgling colonial town.  The establishment of a national education system in the late 19th century made the Nelson School Society redundant apart from its provision of Sunday schools.  In 1895 the trustees of the school society decided to offer their remaining properties to the trustees of the Bishop Suter Art Gallery - which was yet to establish a physical gallery.  This transfer of property required a private Act of Parliament - The Bishop Suter Art Gallery Trustees Act 1896 - which is still active today.



Portrait of Matthew Campbell
Gottfried Lindauer (1839-1926)
Oil on cardboard 788 x 688
Presented by the Bishopdale Sketching Club in 1901