Constructed in 1879, the Mt Hutt Road Board Office is one of the first buildings to be built in the town of Methven, and the oldest still surviving in the township. The building is now Methven's toy library and used twice a week.

When the provincial government system was abolished in 1876 the Ashburton County Council was formed and the Ashburton District was initially divided into four separate Road Board districts.
Methven’s first town sections were put up for sale in June 1878 and by the start of 1879, the town was beginning to develop.

The Mt Hutt Road Board was established as a separate entity in that same year (1879) and tenders were called for an office as well as cottage and stables in Methven. The contractor was Mr Coutts who completed the office quickly (at a cost of £460), in time for the Board members to hold a meeting in its new hall at the end of 1879.

A range of matters were dealt with from the Road Board Office building, including serving as a polling place, assessment court and general meeting venue. After the Mount Hutt Road Board was disestablished in 1939, the building continued to be used by the community, including musical groups such as the Methven Orchestral Society, Methven Choral Society and Methven Caledonian Pipe Band.

In the late 1990’s, with the threat of demolition looming, the local community rallied and saved the building and it was repositioned within the same site in the year 2000. The building still continues to serve as a valued community facility, as well as providing valuable link back to Methven township’s settlement origins.

• Heritage NZ Inventory: https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/9616
• District Council Heritage - Link to be provided