Ewbank, Singleton facts for kids

Ewbank is a special old building in Singleton, Australia. It used to be a bank, but now it's a home! This amazing building was designed by an architect named Benjamin Backhouse. It was built a long time ago, between 1883 and 1884. Because it's so important, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's protected to keep its history alive!

A Look Back: Ewbank's History

Building a Bank: 1883-1884

Ewbank was built between 1883 and 1884. It was originally made for the Bank of New South Wales. This building served as both the bank's offices and the home for its manager in Singleton.

The famous architect Benjamin Backhouse designed Ewbank. His company, Backhouse and Lough, designed many other bank buildings and homes for the Bank of New South Wales.

From Bank to Home

Later, the bank didn't need such a big building anymore. So, Ewbank was sold to a person named Mr. R. Terrey. He gave the building its name, "Ewbank," and turned it into a private home.

Protecting Ewbank's Future

In 1981, the owner at the time, Roslyn Terrey, wanted to make sure Ewbank would always be protected. She asked the Heritage Council to give it a special protection order.

Because Ewbank was so important and beautiful, a "Permanent Conservation Order" was placed on it in 1982. This order helps keep the building safe for the future.

Repairs and Recognition

In 1989, Roslyn Terrey received money to help fix Ewbank. She used $30,000 to repair the verandah and repaint the building.

Ewbank was officially added to the State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This is a list of places that are very important to the history and culture of New South Wales.

Sadly, Ewbank was damaged in October 2017. A stolen truck crashed right into the side of the building.

What Ewbank Looks Like

Ewbank is a two-storey building with a classic Victorian style. It stands on George Street, which is a main road in Singleton.

The building is made of brick. However, the bricks are covered with a special plaster called stucco. This stucco is carved to look like real stone.

One of the most special parts of Ewbank is its sandstone porch. This type of porch is quite rare in the Singleton area.

The roof is made of slate and has cool dome-shaped vents for air. The windows are large and slide up and down. You can also see the original cast iron fence and gates at the front and side. The first-floor verandah also has beautiful original cast-iron work.

Why Ewbank is Special

Ewbank is a very unique and high-quality building for Singleton. It's a great example of Victorian architecture, designed by one of the best architects of that time.

Many people think Ewbank is one of Benjamin Backhouse's best designs for a building on a corner. It played a big part in the early days of Singleton. Its location also makes it a well-known landmark in the town.

Ewbank was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because it meets several important rules:

• It shows how history unfolded: Ewbank was very important in the early growth and development of Singleton.
• It's a beautiful and clever design: Ewbank is a special building with amazing quality for the Singleton area. It's a simple, classic example of Victorian style, designed by a very skilled architect. It's seen as one of Backhouse's best designs for a corner building.
• It's important to the community: Because of where it is, Ewbank has become a well-known landmark that many people recognize.