Bowman House, Richmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bowman House |
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| Location | 368-370 Windsor Street, Richmond, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1817–1820 |
| Owner | Hawkesbury City Council |
| Official name: Bowman House; Bowman's Cottage | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 468 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | James Blackman |
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Bowman House, also known as Bowman's Cottage, is a very old building in Richmond, Australia. It was built between 1817 and 1820 by James Blackman. This historic house is now used as an office for the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its important history and special design.
Contents
History
Early Days of the Land
The Dharug People
For thousands of years, the land around the Hawkesbury River was home to the Dharug people. The river, which they called Deerubbin, was very important to them. It provided food and was a way to travel. The area was rich in resources for these Aboriginal groups.
European Settlement
In 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip explored this area. He was looking for good farming land. He named the Hawkesbury River after Baron Hawkesbury. European settlers started living here by 1794. This region was vital for the early colony. It was known for its fertile land and helped feed the new settlement. However, floods often ruined the farmers' crops.
In 1810, Governor Lachlan Macquarie became the new Governor of New South Wales. Under his leadership, the colony grew stronger. He had a vision for a thriving community. He started many public building projects. He built 265 public buildings and improved roads. The Hawkesbury district did very well under him. In 1810, he visited the area and named new towns. He called the town in the Green Hills district "Windsor". The town in the Richmond district he named "Richmond". These towns, along with Castlereagh, Pitt Town, and Wilberforce, are known as Macquarie's Five Towns.
Building Bowman House
From Constable to Owner
The building of Bowman Cottage began in 1817. It was started by James Blackman, who was a local constable. He later became a gravedigger. Blackman built the frame of the house. But he soon faced money problems. He lost his job as constable. Because of this, he had to sell his property. George Bowman bought it from him.
George Bowman finished building the cottage by 1820. By 1824, it looked much like it does today.
Richmond in the 1820s
When Bowman Cottage was built, Richmond was a small, quiet town. It had groups of buildings separated by fields and thick bush. Most houses were made of timber. Bowman Cottage was one of the few strong, well-built houses. It stood close to Windsor Street. It had two acres of gardens and vegetable beds.
Behind the house, there was a brick stable and a timber barn. They had a cobbled courtyard between them. Most of these buildings are now gone. Only a small part of the stables remains.
Later Years of the House
The Bowman family owned the cottage until the 1920s. George's twin sons, Andrew and Edward, started selling off parts of the land. By 1930, the cottage itself was sold. It was then divided into two separate homes. It stayed this way until 1974. That's when the state Department of Environment and Planning bought it.
The cottage was almost torn down to make way for new houses. But it was saved when the Department bought it. Over time, about $300,000 was spent to restore it. The restoration work began in 1982. It was overseen by the Historic Buildings Group.
A Twin House
Bowman Cottage in Richmond has a "twin" house. It's called Merotherie Homestead. It is located about 23 kilometres from Dunedoo. George Bowman also bought and expanded this house. He used a similar style to his Richmond home. The main part of Meruthera Homestead was built by an earlier owner in the 1820s. George owned this property until he died in 1874. In 2011, the house and some land were still owned by the Bowman family.
What Bowman House Looks Like
Bowman Cottage looks like an early Australian farmhouse. It has a steeply sloped roof and windows that stick out from the roof. It also has a stone-paved verandah around it. Its details show the "colonial Georgian" style.
The walls are built using a special method called "brick nogged." This was once common in the Hawkesbury area but is now rare. In brick nog houses, bricks are set into a timber frame. The outside of the frame is then covered with wooden boards. This protected the soft bricks from weather damage.
The cottage has been changed a little over time. For example, parts of the verandah have been altered. But it still has much of its original character. Not many buildings of its age have kept so much of their original look. Richmond has changed a lot since the 1820s, but Bowman Cottage has not.
Why Bowman House is Special
Bowman House is one of the oldest houses still standing in New South Wales. It was started before 1818 by James Blackman. George Bowman bought it in 1818. He added to the house and finished it in four stages. It was his home until he died in 1878.
Bowman House was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is protected because it meets certain important rules:
- It shows the history of New South Wales.
Bowman Cottage is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the state.
- It is linked to important people in history.
The cottage was built by James Blackman. He was a free settler and a businessman. Then, George Bowman bought it in 1818. George came to the colony as a child. He grew up to become the first Mayor of Richmond. He lived in the cottage until he died in 1878. George Bowman was also a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, a judge, an explorer, and a farmer.
- It shows great design and building skill.
With its steep roof, dormer windows, and stone verandah, the cottage is a great example of an early Australian farmhouse. Its details are in the colonial Georgian style. The "brick nogged" walls show a building method that was once common but is now rare.
- It is important to the community.
The Bowman family has a long and important history in the Hawkesbury region. They played a big part in the growth of Richmond and the area. Bowman Cottage is one of the oldest homes in New South Wales. The Bowman family owned it until 1930. George Bowman, the first Mayor of Richmond, chose to live here until he died, even though he could have afforded a grander home.
- It is rare or uncommon.
When it was built, Bowman Cottage was one of the few strong buildings in Richmond. Richmond was a very rural town then. Most houses were simply made of timber.
- It shows the main features of its type of building.
The colonial Georgian style of Bowman Cottage is a good example of a typical Australian farmhouse from that time.
