Broughton Hall, Lilyfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rozelle Hospital – Broughton Hall |
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Broughton Hall, Callan Park, in 2020 – facing the garden area
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| Location | Balmain Road, Lilyfield, Inner West Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | c. 1841 |
| Architect | Charles Moore (plantings) |
| Owner | NSW Department of Health |
| Official name: Rozelle Hospital – Broughton Hall; Broughton Hall; Rivandall | |
| Type | state heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 831 |
| Type | Psychiatric hospital/Mental institute/Asylum |
| Category | Health Services |
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Broughton Hall is a very old building in Lilyfield, Sydney, Australia. It has been many things over the years. First, it was a grand home. Later, it became a special hospital for people needing care.
This historic building is part of the larger Callan Park area. It was built around 1841. For many years, important business people and public figures lived there.
During World War I, it helped soldiers recover. After that, it became a special clinic for mental health. This clinic was called the Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic. In 1976, it joined with Rozelle Hospital.
Broughton Hall is now listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it is a very important historical site.
Contents
What is the History of Broughton Hall?
Who Lived Here First?
Before Europeans arrived, the Wangal clan lived in this area. They were part of the Eora or Dharug tribes. Their land stretched along the Parramatta River.
Sadly, a smallpox sickness in the late 1700s greatly reduced their numbers. European settlement also changed the land. By 1900, only a few Dharug families remained in the Sydney area.
How Did European Settlement Begin?
European settlers started to claim land in the early 1800s. Francis Lloyd and Luke Ralph received large pieces of land. These areas later became known as the Garry Owen Estate.
Another important piece of land was the "Spring Cove Estate." This estate had two big houses. One was Austenham, and the other was Broughton Hall. The name of Broughton House was changed to Broughton Hall in the 1880s.
The Garry Owen Estate was owned by John Ryan Brenan. He was a lawyer and police officer. He built his home, Garry Owen House, around 1839. Brenan loved gardening and created a beautiful garden there.
Broughton Hall as a Family Home
In 1841, John Ryan Brenan bought more land. He built Broughton House on this new land. He sold it in 1845. The house was very grand, with many rooms and beautiful views. It even had a natural spring for water.
New bridges were built in Sydney in the mid-1800s. This made it easier to travel to areas like Rozelle. Many large land estates were divided into smaller blocks for homes. However, Broughton House and Garry Owen House remained large properties.
In 1864, Brenan had to sell his Garry Owen Estate. A businessman named John Gordon bought it. He renamed it Callan Park. In 1874, the Government of New South Wales bought Callan Park. Charles Moore, who ran the Botanic Gardens, helped design the beautiful grounds.
From 1864 to 1905, Broughton House was the home of John Keep. He was a Sydney businessman. He made the house bigger and bought more land. After he passed away, his family sold the property in 1912.
How Did Broughton Hall Become a Hospital?
A Convalescent Hospital for Soldiers
During World War I, the owners offered Broughton Hall to the government. It became a hospital for soldiers who were suffering from "shell shock." This was a type of mental stress from the war.
The quiet house and its large gardens were perfect for helping soldiers recover. It was called No. 13 Australian Army Hospital. It helped soldiers until 1921. Health experts at the time believed in helping people with mental health issues early.
Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic
In 1921, the government officially made Broughton Hall a psychiatric clinic. It was the first place in New South Wales where people could get help voluntarily. This meant they could choose to get treatment.
Under Dr. Sydney Evan Jones, it grew to be the largest clinic of its kind in Australia. The gardens were a very important part of the treatment. Patients would walk on paths, enjoy ponds, and cross bridges. Dr. Evan Jones even redesigned the gardens to help patients feel better.
New buildings were added between 1920 and 1935. They were designed in a similar style. Later, from 1956 to 1964, more modern buildings were added. These new designs also focused on how architecture and nature could help people heal.
Broughton Hall stayed a separate clinic until 1976. Then, it joined with the nearby Callan Park Mental Asylum to form Rozelle Hospital.
What Happened to Rozelle Hospital?
After 1976, Rozelle Hospital made some changes. They wanted to offer more services in the community. Some buildings were fixed up, and some land was sold to pay for the work.
The original Broughton Hall building was no longer used after 1977. It became empty and damaged. It was even hurt by a fire in 1986.
By 1999, when Broughton Hall was listed as a heritage site, Rozelle Hospital mostly used the newer clinic buildings. The original Broughton Hall building remained empty. Rozelle Hospital finally closed in 2008.
What is Broughton Hall Used for Now?
The original Broughton Hall building was empty for a long time. It was in poor condition because of fire and damage. People who care about Callan Park were worried about its neglect.
However, some of the other clinic buildings are now being used again. For example, the University of Tasmania opened a campus there in 2010.
What Does Broughton Hall Look Like?
The original Broughton Hall building has two floors. It was built in a style called Victorian Georgian Revival. The walls are painted, and the roof is made of concrete tiles.
The property is special because the old house is still on its original large piece of land. Even today, you can see how the gardens were laid out a long time ago.
The grounds are very big and have many trees and plants. There is a creek that runs down to the Parramatta River. You can see old brick and stone walls on the property. The gardens have many different kinds of plants, some of which are very rare.
Why is Broughton Hall a Heritage Site?
Broughton Hall is one of the oldest houses in the area. It shows how the Rozelle area developed a long time ago. It is a beautiful example of an early Victorian Georgian home.
Its large gardens are also very important. They still have many of their original features and plants. Some of these plants were even sent by Charles Moore from the Botanic Gardens.
The gardens of the Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic are also historically important. They show Dr. Sydney Evan Jones's ideas about how gardens could help people with mental health issues. The beauty of the original garden is still clear today.
Broughton Hall was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Images for kids
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Broughton Hall, Callan Park, in 2020 – facing the garden area
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Map showing the location of Broughton Hall in Callan Park.
