Carrick Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carrick Hill |
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Carrick Hill in 2008
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| General information | |
| Type | Mansion |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Address | 46 Carrick Hill Drive |
| Town or city | Springfield |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 34°58′45″S 138°37′55″E / 34.9792°S 138.6320°E |
| Construction started | 1937 |
| Completed | 1939 |
| Owner | Government of South Australia |
| Grounds | 40 hectares (99 acres) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | James Campbell Irwin |
| Other designers | Ursula Barr-Smith |
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South Australian Heritage Register
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| Official name: Carrick Hill | |
| Designated: | 14 August 1986 |
| Reference #: | 11509 |
Carrick Hill is a special historic home in Springfield, near the Adelaide Hills. It was built in 1939 for Edward and Ursula Hayward. This beautiful house looks like an old English manor.
Inside, you can find many amazing artworks, old furniture, and antiques. Carrick Hill is unique because its buildings, gardens, and all its contents are still mostly as they were when the Haywards lived there. After Edward Hayward passed away in 1983, the property was given to the state of South Australia. Since 1985, a group called the Carrick Hill Trust has looked after it.
Contents
The Story of Carrick Hill
Ursula Barr Smith came from a very rich family. Her father was a successful farmer and businessman. Edward Hayward's father was in charge of a big department store in Adelaide called John Martin's. Edward lived in Kent Town, and Ursula lived in Glen Osmond.
They got married in 1935. As a wedding gift, Ursula's father gave them the Carrick Hill property. It was a large piece of land, about 40 hectares (which is like 100 acres).
Building a Dream Home
The Haywards went on their honeymoon to Europe for a year. While there, they heard that parts of a very old mansion in England were being sold. This mansion, called Beaudesert, was from the 16th century and was going to be taken down.
Edward and Ursula bought many special items from it. These included a grand staircase and beautiful furniture. They brought these pieces all the way to Adelaide. These old parts were then used in the design of their new home, Carrick Hill.
The house was built to look like an English manor. It had a mix of old antique furniture and newer pieces. Ursula Hayward also designed the gardens while the house was being built. The house was finished in 1939, and the Haywards moved in.
Carrick Hill became famous for its art collection. It had paintings by well-known artists like Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, and Paul Gauguin. The house was also a popular place for social events. Many important cultural figures visited the Haywards there.
The library at Carrick Hill had many books that showed the Haywards' interests. In 1958, a fire damaged the library, but it was later fixed. From 1960 onwards, the Haywards often used the library as a relaxed place to eat and spend time.
Carrick Hill for Everyone
In 1970, the Haywards decided to give Carrick Hill and everything inside it to the South Australian government. Ursula passed away that same year. After Edward died in 1983, the house, gardens, and art collection officially became state property.
The government opened Carrick Hill to the public in 1985. People could now visit for exhibitions, events, and to enjoy the gardens. On August 14, 1986, Carrick Hill was added to the South Australian Heritage Register. This means it is a very important historical place. That same year, Queen Elizabeth II visited Carrick Hill during her trip to South Australia.
The Carrick Hill Trust was created in 1985 to manage the property. It helps make sure Carrick Hill is looked after for everyone to enjoy. Over the years, Carrick Hill has hosted many public events. These include art shows, garden tours, and special themed programs.
Design and Special Features
Carrick Hill is seen as one of Australia's most complete historic homes. When the Haywards were on their honeymoon in England, they bought many old architectural pieces and furniture. These came from a 16th-century mansion called Beaudesert Hall.
The house was built between 1937 and 1939. It was designed by James Irwin. The builders used local Basket Range sandstone. The house is set within beautiful landscaped gardens.
Inside the Manor
The house includes a grand staircase, a fireplace, oak wall panels, and windows from Beaudesert Hall. These pieces are very old, dating back to the 16th century. Inside, you can see an ante hall with sword displays. The dining room has British oak panels and antique furniture.
Ursula added her own touches to the house. She chose items like William Morris fabrics and special glass light fittings. Even though the house looks old, it had modern features for its time. These included art deco tiles, heated towel rails, and a full glass shower.
Different rooms at Carrick Hill had special uses. The library held books about the Haywards' many interests. The drawing room was used for parties and private performances. The morning room was where household tasks were managed and needlework was done.
After Ursula's death in 1970, Carrick Hill was transferred to state ownership in 1985. It then opened to the public. Today, it hosts exhibitions, public events, and garden activities. There is even a children’s storybook trail in the gardens.
Beautiful Gardens
The gardens around Carrick Hill were designed with an Edwardian Arts and Crafts style. Part of the garden follows this look, with formal layouts and hedges. The plants chosen were perfect for the hillside location.
The western terraces have two large elm trees. From here, you can see amazing views over Adelaide and towards the ocean. This design helps the house blend in beautifully with its natural surroundings.
Amazing Collections
Carrick Hill has a wonderful collection of Australian art from the 20th century. Edward and Ursula Hayward collected these pieces. They bought many paintings while traveling in Europe. They also supported many Australian artists.
When Carrick Hill was given to the state in 1970, the collection included works by artists like Streeton, Russell Drysdale, Hans Heysen, William Dobell, and Ivor Hele. This collection shows how much the Haywards loved Australian art.
There are several paintings by William Dobell. One portrait was partly damaged by fire in 1958. The collection also has works by George Lambert, Emanuel Phillips Fox, and others. The Haywards bought these paintings or got them directly from the artists.
Besides art, many of the house's interior features came from Beaudesert. These include the old staircases, fireplaces, oak panels, and furniture. The Carrick Hill collection also has paintings by Adrian Feint, who was a close friend of the Haywards.
Australian Museum of Gardening
The Carrick Hill Trust created the Australian Museum of Gardening. It is located in the old stable buildings. This museum shows how gardening has changed over the last 250 years.
It has over a thousand gardening books and tools. This collection was put together with help from the Australian Garden History Society. It covers how lawns became popular and how gardening tools and plants developed in Australia. The museum also displays items collected from Australia and the United Kingdom.
Gallery
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Main entrance
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Busts
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Waterloo staircase
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Aerial view of Carrick Hill
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Garden
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Bedroom
