The 3m by 1.5m stained-glass window was uncovered earlier this month, more than 30 years after it was removed from Burt Hall, in the grounds of the former King Edward Technical College in Stuart St.
"We don't know its history or how long it's been away," King Edward Court manager Roberta Coutts said yesterday.
"It was probably removed to avoid the danger of school kids breaking it with stones or balls."
The window was misplaced for years, until it was discovered in an Otago Polytechnic storage area earlier this month.
"I was thrilled when it was found and I'm determined to get it put back in Burt Hall. It's going to look stunning to have it back again," Mrs Coutts said.
"Apparently, it's been in storage in various places over the years. I was told it was even part of the wall in the polytech restaurant for a few years."
The window was presented by the family of Dunedin plumbing company A and T Burt, when the hall was built on the corner of Stuart St and York Pl in 1918.
It features the New Zealand and English coats of arms.
It also featured a heavy coat of dust yesterday.
Former King Edward Technical College pupil and Logan Park High School teacher Adam "Jock" Neaves (86) recalled the window being removed from Burt Hall.
"The board at the time took it out about 1974, so it could be taken down to Logan Park [which replaced King Edward Tech]. They also got the old school bell. But for some reason the window never made it down there," he said yesterday.
A celebration to mark the centenary of the King Edward Technical College building is planned for 2013.
