Buckland Convalescent Home facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buckland Convalescent Home |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Heritage boundaries
|
|
| Location | 39 Hawkesbury Road, Springwood, City of Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1881–1934 |
| Architect |
|
| Owner | The Buckland Convalescent Hospital |
| Official name: Buckland Convalescent Home & Garden | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 371 |
| Type | Convalescence Home |
| Category | Health Services |
| Builders | Kell & Rigby |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Buckland Convalescent Home is a special place in Springwood, Australia. It used to be a large home and garden, but now it is a hospital where people go to recover after an illness. It is located in the beautiful Blue Mountains area of New South Wales.
The building was designed by Thomas Buckland and McPhee Smith. It was built between 1881 and 1934 by a company called Kell & Rigby. The property is also known as the Buckland Convalescent Home and Garden. It is so important that it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
History of Buckland Home
Early Indigenous History
The Blue Mountains area has a very long history. Aboriginal people have lived here for at least 14,000 years. There are stories of many bushfires in the 1820s, which show that Aboriginal people were present.
When Europeans arrived, new diseases like smallpox spread. This greatly reduced the Aboriginal population. However, some Aboriginal groups, like the Oryang-Ora clan around Springwood, quickly learned to live with the Europeans.
Colonial Settlement and Early Owners
The land where Buckland Home stands today started to be developed in the late 1800s.
- In 1876, James Bentley Corbin and John Thomas Ellison were given land grants in Springwood.
- In 1881, Dr. James Norton, a politician, received 50 acres of land. He named his property Euchora.
Dr. Norton built a cottage on the land in 1884. He loved gardening and nature. He created a large garden and even built a dam to water his plants.
Later, in 1906, the land was sold to John Francis King. Then, in 1910, Frederick Henry GriffithBroughton bought it. He added another cottage in 1917. For many years, Euchora was run as a guest house.
Another important property nearby was Silva Plana, built in 1881. It was owned by John Frazer, a wealthy businessman and generous person. He helped fund many projects, including the Frazer Memorial Church in Springwood.
The Buckland Convalescent Hospital
How the Hospital Started
In March 1934, Sir Thomas Buckland, a rich businessman and kind person, wanted to help people. He talked with the New South Wales Government about buying land and building a hospital. He offered to pay for the hospital if the government improved Springwood's water supply.
In May 1934, a special agreement was signed to create "The Buckland Hospital." Sir Thomas Buckland wanted to create a public hospital for women recovering from certain illnesses. He gave a large amount of money, £100,000, to buy the land, build the hospital, and buy all the equipment.
Building the Hospital
The hospital was designed by Buckland and McPhee Smith, an architecture firm where one of Sir Thomas Buckland's sons, Harold Buckland, worked. The building contract was given to Kell & Rigby in May 1935.
The state government kept its promise and installed a new water supply system for Springwood and the hospital in 1935. This included a huge concrete water tank.
The First Years
Matron Rothery was the first head nurse of the Buckland Convalescent Hospital. Her diaries show how the hospital started. She and Sister Heard moved into the hospital in December 1935. They bought many items for the hospital, from kitchenware to bed linen.
Sir Thomas Buckland visited the hospital often. The first patient, Miss Beatrice Buckland, who was Sir Thomas's daughter, was admitted on February 3, 1936.
The hospital officially opened on January 25, 1936. The Premier of New South Wales, Mr. B. S. B. Stevens, and Sir Thomas Buckland were there. Sir Thomas and Lady Buckland were very involved in the hospital's early days. Sir Thomas even helped choose the floor coverings! He visited regularly, even when he was 90 years old.
Sir Thomas Buckland passed away in 1947, just before his 99th birthday. He left a large part of his wealth to the Buckland Convalescent Hospital.
Changes and Growth
Over the years, the hospital property continued to develop.
- Between 1934 and 1983, new features were added, like a caretaker's cottage, a dairy, and a formal driveway. The tennis court was changed into a croquet court.
- In the 1970s, the hospital faced financial challenges. The directors decided to change the hospital into a retirement village to better serve the community. This change was approved in 1983.
After 1983, the property, now called Buckland Village, grew quickly. Many new buildings were added for different types of care.
- Older buildings like a fibro cottage and a chicken shed were removed.
- New self-care units, studio units, and hostel units were built.
- The old dairy was turned into a community center.
- More cottages and a multi-purpose community center were added later.
Today, Buckland Village continues to provide care for older people.
What Buckland Home Looks Like
Beautiful Surroundings
The hospital's location was always one of its best features. It was built away from the busy city, in a peaceful and calm spot. The fresh air and good food were thought to help people recover.
The property is about 129 acres and has a view towards the city of Sydney. On clear days, you can even see the city and the Sydney Harbour Bridge far away! The hospital is also protected from strong westerly winds.
Building Design
The architects designed the hospital in a U-shape, with the main entrance facing west. The kitchen and service areas are connected to the main building by large stone arches. These arches are not only practical but also look very attractive.
The hospital's main focus was on the views to Sydney in the east. There isn't much evidence that the building was designed to get a lot of sunlight inside.
The Courtyard and Gardens
The main courtyard is a formal area with a fountain and a flagpole in the center. A path leads the eye towards the distant view of Sydney. The fountain is still there and is in very good condition. Beyond the fountain are the croquet lawns, which residents still use.
The plants in the courtyard have changed over time. Old photos show different types of palm trees. Matron Rothery's diaries mention buying many shrubs and vegetable seeds. The hospital also had a vegetable garden and a cut-flower garden. They even made jams and won awards for their flowers at local shows!
The hospital aimed to be somewhat self-sufficient, meaning it tried to produce its own food. It had a dairy and a fowl run (for chickens). The dairy building, now a community center, is made of similar materials to the main hospital.
Water Supply
One of the important conditions Sir Thomas Buckland made was that the government should provide a permanent water supply to Springwood and the hospital. This system was completed in 1935, with a huge water tank built nearby.
Patient Rooms
The hospital was designed with 24 private bedrooms for patients. The architects thought carefully about the patients' needs. For example, light fittings were placed high up in the ceiling. Taps on sinks had to be held down to get water, so patients couldn't accidentally leave them running. Each room also had a special call button for nurses.
The bedrooms were decorated in light pastel colors, with bright furniture. There were also two special rooms for specific cases and a sick bay. Each wing of the hospital ended in a pavilion with extra verandah space.
Staff Areas and Services
The first floor of the main building was for staff. It included the Matron's (head nurse's) apartment, nurses' bedrooms, and rooms for other staff. There were also comfortable common rooms for staff and nurses with fireplaces and bookshelves.
The dining room for patients was a lovely room with a large fireplace. The staff dining room was next to it, close to the kitchen.
The kitchen was well-equipped with stainless steel sinks and tables, many cupboards, and cooking equipment. All the pipes and taps were shiny chrome, and the walls were tiled for easy cleaning. There was also a boiler room for hot water and steam, and a laundry with a steam drying cabinet.
Outside Appearance
The architects designed the outside of the hospital in a style inspired by Georgian architecture. This style uses simple details and good proportions, which made the large building look dignified and welcoming.
The building is made of warm red bricks, with darker bricks used for details like corners and window frames. The roof tiles are also a rich color. A small copper spire with a bronze weathercock sits on top of the main roof.
The entrance features an arcade made of solid sandstone. The strong ironwork railings between the arches match the stonework well. The windows are painted white and have six panes of glass.
Condition and Changes
The Buckland Convalescent Hospital has been well-maintained over the years.
- The hospital was built between 1935 and 1936.
- In 1971, some residential blocks were sold to help with income.
- New nursing homes were approved in 1987 and 2003.
- A new dining room was added in 2006 to a building called Donald Coburn Lodge.
Why Buckland Home is Important
The Buckland Convalescent Hospital is very important for several reasons:
- It is closely connected to Sir Thomas Buckland, a famous and generous person who founded and supported the hospital.
- Its design was special for its time, as it was one of the first "private" hospitals where each patient had their own room.
- It shows how the "Georgian" style was used for hospital buildings.
- It has a long and strong connection with the Springwood community. Today, it is the main part of Buckland Village, which provides care for about 420 people.
The Buckland Convalescent Home was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999 because it meets several important criteria for historical places. It shows the history of mental health care in the Blue Mountains and has strong ties to important people and the local community.
See also
- List of hospitals in New South Wales
