Glenlee, Menangle Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glenlee
Heritage boundaries
Location	Glenlee Road, Menangle Park, City of Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1824–1859
Architect	Henry Kitchen
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Glenlee, outbuildings, garden & gatelodge
Type	State heritage (landscape)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	9
Type	Homestead Complex
Category	Farming and Grazing
Builders	Robert Gooch and Nathaniel Payton
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Glenlee is a very old and important place in Menangle Park, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a big farm where they raised dairy cows and grew hay. Today, it is an olive farm and a private home.

The main house at Glenlee was designed by Henry Kitchen. It was built between 1824 and 1859 by Robert Gooch and Nathaniel Payton. This special place is also known as Glenlee, outbuildings, garden & gatelodge. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, meaning it's protected for its historical value.

Glenlee's Early History

The land around Glenlee was originally home to the Dharawal Aboriginal people. Before Europeans arrived, they saw wild cattle that had escaped from the first British settlement in Sydney. These cattle settled in the good grazing areas near Menangle and Camden. This area became known as "the Cow Pastures."

When the first European farmers came after 1800, there wasn't much conflict at first. But as more land was given to settlers, tensions grew. Sadly, the number of Aboriginal people in the area decreased due to illness and losing their traditional lands.

First European Settlers

Following the wild cattle, early farmers used the Mount Annan area for grazing. By 1810, John Macarthur owned about 2,800 hectares (7,000 acres) at Camden Park. In 1818, Governor Macquarie gave William Howe 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) on the other side of the Nepean River. Howe was a Scottish settler who arrived in 1816. He named his estate Glenlee after his birthplace in Scotland.

William Howe was a smart farmer and a local leader. He was also a Magistrate and later a Superintendent of Police. By 1820, his property had grown to over 2,800 hectares (7,000 acres). He even shipped wool all the way to London. From 1821 to 1823, Glenlee produced wheat and meat for the government. In the 1820s, they also made dairy products for the Sydney market.

Building the Homestead

The main house at Glenlee was designed in 1823 by Henry Kitchen. He was the first architect in the colony who wasn't a convict. The house was built for William and Mary Howe between 1823 and 1824. Convict workers helped to set up the farm and build the other buildings. By 1824, the Howes were living in Glenlee House.

In 1828, Howe's land was about 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres). About 400 hectares (1,000 acres) were cleared, and 200 hectares (500 acres) were farmed. In 1832, a local directory mentioned the gardens were "extensive." It also said the grapevines were growing well.

William Howe was the first magistrate for the area called Airds.

Glenlee's Famous Farm Products

In 1833, Mrs. Felton Mathew visited Glenlee. She noted that Mr. Howe was known for growing English grasses. She said the best hay in the country came from Glenlee. She also mentioned that Howe had designed his grounds in a beautiful English style. He used hedges of quince and lemon trees instead of rough wooden fences. She also saw fields of peas, which was unusual for the area.

By 1834, Glenlee was considered one of the best farms in the colony. Its famous butter, called "Sun and Thistle," was the first butter ever sent from New South Wales to England.

In 1837, Reverend John Dunmore Lang visited the farm. He described Glenlee as a large dairy farm with lots of cleared land. He noted the paddocks were separated by quince or lemon tree hedges. He also described Glenlee House as a "handsome two-storey house."

Glenlee was one of the first farms to focus on dairying in the 1820s. This was much earlier than other farms in the district. During the 1830s, 1840s, and 1850s, Glenlee was mostly farmed by tenants. Some dairy products were even sent to England.

New Owners and Changes

William Howe died in 1855. His wife then sold the property to James Fitzpatrick. The Fitzpatrick family owned Glenlee until 1968. James Fitzpatrick had arrived in Australia as a convict in 1822. He later became a successful farmer and landowner. He bought the large "Glenlee" estate in the late 1850s.

In the 1850s, the dairy farming at Glenlee seemed to slow down. Instead, sheep farming became more popular. In the 1870s, large parts of the estate were rented to small farmers. These farmers grew fruits and vegetables. One of them was a Chinese migrant known as "Old Shoo." He had a thriving market garden near the railway tracks.

House Renovations and Modern Times

In 1883, the front porch (colonnade) of the main house was rebuilt. In the 1890s, the house was greatly updated. Its outside was covered in stucco, and the windows were replaced. The front door was changed, and some original inside details were removed. Around 1900, the roof, which was originally made of wooden shingles, was replaced with corrugated iron.

In 1905, Glenlee (about 1,400 hectares or 3,500 acres) was still the biggest farm in the area. Three dairies were still active on the estate. About 24 hectares (60 acres) were used for market gardens, employing 32 people.

In 1910, John Glenlee Fitzpatrick moved into Glenlee. Other family members lived nearby. The family ran their own dairy at Glenlee and hired herdsmen.

Before World War I in 1914, a local architect suggested that Glenlee would be a good spot for a race track. In 1914, Menangle Park Racecourse was built nearby. In the 1930s, the original fireplaces were replaced, and new bathrooms were added.

In the 1950s, a coal washing and transfer facility was built near Glenlee. This was for coal from the Burragorang mines. A railway line was built to this facility in 1958. The use of this coal facility was highest in the 1960s and 1970s. It was later scaled down due to environmental concerns.

In 1968, the NSW Government bought Glenlee. In 1977-78, the house received funding for restoration work. A new kitchen was added, and the interiors were restored to look like they did in the 1820s. Many original features were found when old wallpapers were removed.

In 1982, the house and part of its land were protected under the NSW Heritage Act. The larger estate was later set aside for a botanic garden. In 1988, the Mount Annan Botanic Garden opened. It is Australia's largest botanic garden for native plants.

Glenlee house and its surrounding land have since been sold back to private owners. They now own about 18 hectares (45 acres). In the 1980s, more restoration work was done on the house and gardens. Around the 1990s, the current owners planted an olive grove with 7,000 trees. They now grow olives and make extra virgin olive oil.

What Glenlee Looks Like

Glenlee is a special rural landscape. The entrance road curves to give a beautiful view of the main house, the river, and the mountains. There's also a gate lodge, which is a square brick building with a hipped roof.

The Farm and Gardens

The wider area has grazed fields with old native trees. An olive grove was planted southeast and northeast of the house around the 1990s.

The main house and other buildings are carefully placed on a raised area. This gives wide views to the south, west, and north. There are also old farm buildings to the south and southeast of the house. These buildings form a courtyard. In the past, there were also vineyards on the southern side of the house.

The property still has its original formal driveway. Important parts of the estate include:

• The main house, built in the 1820s.
• Outbuildings south and southeast of the house, forming a courtyard.
• Other farm buildings further southeast.
• A gatehouse, which is now a ruin.
• A newer building for processing olives near the driveway.
• Various lawns and garden plants.

The gardens have many old trees. These include a large Bunya Bunya pine southeast of the house. There's also a huge forest red gum and a silky oak northwest of the house. Other old trees include Mediterranean cypress and European olive trees. A large old kurrajong tree is near the stables. The gardens also have hedges and colorful plants like African lilies.

From the house, you can see a wide view across the railway line. You can also see the Great Dividing Range, the Nepean River, and the Camden Park estate. Hedges of Cape honeysuckle frame these views.

The Main House

The main house is a two-story building made of brick and sandstone. It has a formal design inspired by old European architecture. It has a central staircase that extends into the back porch (veranda). There is an unusual recessed porch on the front of the house. This design made the upstairs rooms much larger than the downstairs rooms. Also, the stone staircase at the back of the house is very old. It is said to be the oldest of its kind in Australia.

There are also separate single-story offices on the south side. These used to be the kitchen and offices. They also housed the domestic staff. Convicts were kept in the cellar below. The dairy operations were also located within these servants' quarters.

Some people think the design of the house is similar to the work of Francis Greenway, a famous Colonial Architect.

Other Buildings

• Outbuildings: These are located south and southeast of the main house. They form a courtyard.
• Farm Buildings: These are further southeast. They include a slab stables building, which was rebuilt after a fire. Other outbuildings are now used for outdoor events.
• Gate House and Olive-Processing Shed: There is a gatehouse, which is now a ruin. A newer building for processing olives is nearby on the approach drive.

Condition and Changes

Most of the land, except for the area close to the main house, has been ploughed to plant olive trees. The house and main outbuildings are in good condition after restoration work in the 1980s.

Over the years, Glenlee has seen many changes:

• 1818: William Howe received a grant of 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres).
• 1828: The estate was about 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres).
• Around 1840s: The farm changed from growing wheat to dairy farming.
• 1850s: The focus shifted mainly to sheep production.
• 1866: The Southern Railway line was built through the estate.
• 1870s: Parts of the estate were rented to small farmers for growing fruits and vegetables.
• 1883: The front porch (colonnade) of the main house was rebuilt.
• 1890s: The house had major renovations. Its outside was covered in stucco, and windows were replaced.
• Around 1900: The original shingled roof was replaced with corrugated iron.
• 1914: Menangle Park Racetrack was created on part of the estate.
• 1930s: Original fireplaces were replaced, and new bathrooms were installed.
• 1950s: A coal washing facility and railway line were built west of the estate.
• 1977-78: The house received funding for restoration, focusing on waterproofing. A new kitchen was added.
• 1983-1984: More restoration work was done on the house and gardens. Old cobblestones were found.
• Around 1999: About 18 hectares (45 acres) were planted with 7,000 olive trees.
• 2002: A new olive processing shed was built. The old gatehouse was preserved and used as a display room.

Why Glenlee is Important

Glenlee is a very important historical place. It shows how the land was used by Aboriginal people before Europeans arrived. It also tells the story of early European settlers. The design of the house and its landscape are also very special.

It is one of the few remaining early 19th-century farms in the area. It was known as one of the best and earliest dairy farms in the colony. It was also one of the first farms in Sydney's west to switch from growing grain to dairy farming. The property continued to do well throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

The landscape of Glenlee is beautiful and reminds us of the old farming industry. You can still see how the house was built to have views of the Nepean River. Even when the railway was built, its location was chosen to keep these views. The way the house is placed in the rolling hills is a great example of early colonial planning. It creates a beautiful scene with views of the nearby Camden Park estate and the Great Dividing Range.

The Glenlee house and its surrounding buildings are a rare and important group. The main house has a beautiful and unique design from the early colonial period. The complex also includes its original servants' wing, other farm buildings, a gatehouse, and old plants like the landmark bunya pine.

The house dates back to 1823. It is one of only a few early colonial houses in the Sydney area that are still mostly original. Its design shows great skill for the time it was built. It is a rare example of the Old Colonial Regency style. Both Henry Kitchen and Colonial Architect Francis Greenway, who were important architects, may have been involved in its design.

Glenlee is important because of its connection to William Howe and his family. Howe started the estate and helped set up the Bank of NSW in Camden. He was a key early settler who helped farming in western Sydney. He was also one of the first farmers to successfully switch from growing grain to dairy farming.

Glenlee is also important because of its connection to James Fitzpatrick and his family. Fitzpatrick was a former convict who became a successful farmer. His family helped the estate grow and kept it running as a successful dairy farm. The Fitzpatrick family lived at Glenlee for over a century. Their story shows how colonial Australia developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The area near the house has a high chance of holding archaeological finds. These could be related to the Dharawal Aboriginal people who lived there. They could also be related to the farm's past uses. This area offers chances to learn about the Dharawal people's culture and the history of farming on the estate.

Glenlee was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.