AS group after group of curious onlookers filed through the many rooms of Fortuna Villa on Saturday, one man had a particularly special connection with the historic homestead.
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Stewart Harris clutched his camera and a photograph album as he listened to historian Jim Evans explain every part of the expansive rooms.
More than 100 years ago, his great great grandfather Wootton Lansell convinced brother George Lansell to chase the fortunes of Bendigo.
Mr Harris has studied his ancestors closely and was pleased to be able to explore Fortuna Villa - the former home of George Lansell.
"It's just good to be able to see what's been done to the house," he said.
"I was pleased to see that a local bought it when it went to auction."
The villa was open to the public on Saturday for tours and afternoon tea as part of the celebrations of 100 years since the death of acclaimed architect William Charles Vahland.
Vahland was one of three architects to work on Fortuna Villa during its development in the late 19th century, including additional works in 1869, 1876 and 1888.
Visitors were able to descend into the underground tunnel heading towards the bullion room - the place where the family kept their gold fortune.
It was one of the first times the public has had access to the space.
Fortuna Villa owner Paul Banks said progress was being made on a number of fronts in restoring parts of the mansion.
"The front's all done - it's onto the back part of the mansion now," he said.
"We're working on the Roman baths right now."
Mr Banks said he is planning to open the mansion the last weekend of every month for tours, starting in July.
He is also hoping to put plans to subdivide a further 23 lots for Fortuna Village to the City of Greater Bendigo in the coming months.
The National Trust set up a display of Vahland's works in the region at the entrance to the villa.
Elaine Doling, of the Bendigo branch of the National Trust, said without his 500 designs in the region "we would still have towns, but they wouldn't be as beautiful".
