1872 - 1922: Atkinson, Richmond, Fell families.
1922: Nelson College for Girls Prep department
1926: Girl boarders housed in‘Chicken Coop” boarding block built behind house.
1930-1964 Boys College take over as Fell House
1979: Friends Of Old Fairfield (FOOF) established to save and run Fairfield as Community asset

Arthur Atkinson migrated to NZ with his brother Harry and friends, the Richmond family, in 1852. He married Jane Maria Richmond in 1854. He settled and farmed at Hurworth, Taranaki, with the other members of the Richmond /Atkinson ‘mob’. Arthur became a Maori translator for the Govt. Owner and editor of the Taranaki Herald. Active in the Taranaki Wars. All the ‘mob’ were highly politically motivated and active in local and national politics. He moved to Nelson in 1868 and studied law. Went into partnership with Charles Y Fell (Nelson Mayor 1882-87) who married Atkinson’s daughter Edith. A keen amateur astronomer and arachnologist. Locally nicknamed ‘Spider’ Atkinson.

 Arthur Atkinson and Jane Maria (nee Richmond) his wife.
 Sir Harry Atkinson, Arthur’s brother and NZ Prime Minister 1880s
 James Crowe Richmond, Commisioner of Crown Lands, Nelson and Artist companion of John Gully. Brother of Jane Maria Atkinson.
 Dorothy Kate Richmond. Daughter of JC Richmond. Well known NZ Artist.
 Helen Hursthouse, Jane and James Crowe Richmond’s aunt.