Grantham Poultry Research Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grantham Poultry Research Station |
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"Melrose" in 2015
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| Location | 71 Seven Hills Road, Seven Hills, City of Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1897–1939 |
| Architect | Admin Bldg: Ted Turner/Government Architect's Office; Melrose: Byera Hadley |
| Owner | NSW Department of Primary Industries |
| Official name: Grantham Poultry Research Station (former); Seven Hills Agricultural Station; Grantham State Poultry Farm; Melrose; Administration Building | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 7 April 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1382 |
| Type | Other - Landscape - Cultural |
| Category | Landscape - Cultural |
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The Grantham Poultry Research Station was once a very important place for studying chickens and farming in Seven Hills, Australia. It's now a special park called Grantham Heritage Park. This site includes two old houses, Melrose and Drumtochty. It was built between 1897 and 1939 and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 7 April 2000 because of its history.
History
Seven Hills Area: How it Got its Name
The area of Seven Hills was first settled by Matthew Pearce in 1795. He was a free settler who arrived in Australia. He named his land "Kings Langley" after a village in England. From his home, his family could see seven hills. Because of this, the area became known as Seven Hills around 1800.
In the early 1900s, Seven Hills was a small village. A tile factory operated here for about 60 years. The Grantham Poultry Research Station was later built on land that used to be a poultry farm.
Grantham Poultry Research Station: A Place for Chickens and Science
The land where the Grantham Poultry Research Station stands was originally part of a large common area set aside by Governor Phillip Gidley King in 1804. This land was home to the Dharug Aboriginal people and covered with native eucalyptus forests.
Early land grants in the area were given to settlers like Samuel Haynes and Samuel Dent. These lots were along Seven Hills Road, an important old road. In the late 1800s, a railway line was built, which helped the area grow into a successful fruit-growing region.
Around 1888, a farm of about 100 acres was set up. By 1897, a lawyer named William Chadwick owned two of these lots. He built a large country home called Melrose. It was designed by a famous architect named Byera Hadley. Melrose was finished in June 1897. Hadley also designed other important buildings like Wesley College at the University of Sydney.
Melrose became the manager's house when the Grantham Poultry Stud was started in 1901. This farm was used to test new farming machines.
In 1912, James Hadlington, who was very interested in poultry farming, became the manager. He later became the State Poultry Expert for the Department of Agriculture. Hadlington wrote many articles about how to raise chickens, including how to set up a farm, feed them, and breed them. He experimented with these ideas at Grantham.
Helping Soldiers After World War I
After World War I, the "Returned Soldiers Settlement Scheme" was created in 1917. This plan aimed to give small farms to soldiers returning from the war. James Hadlington suggested that the Seven Hills site could be used as a state poultry farm. The extra land could be divided into small poultry farms for the returned soldiers.
The government bought the property, and it was divided into small lots for the soldiers. The main part became the "Grantham State Poultry Farm." This farm bred chickens to supply the soldiers' farms across New South Wales. It also helped buy food and supplies for the surrounding farms.
A building called the Bachelors Quarters was built in 1917-18. It had 12 small rooms for trainees, a dining room, and a kitchen. Before this, trainees slept in tents. The Bachelors Quarters are no longer there today.
The soldier settlement farms had small wooden cottages and chicken sheds. However, the farms were often too small, and many soldiers didn't have enough training. This made it hard for them to earn a living, and the scheme was not very successful.
In 1923, the Grantham Stud Poultry Farm was transferred to the Department of Agriculture. It was no longer needed for the soldiers. By 1924, there were about 2,000 poultry farms nearby. Grantham aimed to become a model farm and started doing experiments with chicken feed.
Grantham continued as the "Government Poultry Farm" until 1939, selling chickens, chicks, and eggs to the public.
Becoming a Research Hub
In 1939, the farm's main purpose changed. It stopped being just a commercial farm and started focusing on experiments to improve the poultry industry. It was renamed the "Poultry Experiment Farm, Seven Hills."
Around 1946, the Australian poultry industry faced a big problem: many chicken eggs were not hatching. The NSW Agriculture Department asked the Experiment Farm to investigate. Researchers found that a lack of Vitamin B2 and manganese in chicken feed was causing the problem. These discoveries saved the poultry industry from huge financial losses. This research also made the farm famous around the world, making it one of the top six poultry research centers.
More research by scientists like Malcolm McDonald, Bert Sheridan, and Bob Pym continued to help the Australian poultry industry. In 1960, the farm was renamed the "Poultry Research Station" to recognize its important work.
Later Years and Changes
In 1959, the land next to the station was changed from "Green Belt" (open space) to residential areas. This made it harder to run the farm because houses were so close. New laboratories and offices were built between 1958 and 1960.
Between 1968 and 1971, a new Administration Building was constructed. This modern building allowed more staff to work at Seven Hills, providing them with up-to-date offices, training rooms, and labs.
The station's name changed a few more times, becoming the "Poultry Research and Advisory Station" in 1981, and then the "Agricultural Station, Seven Hills" in 1983. In 1988, the station's activities were stopped, and the site was no longer needed by the Department of Agriculture.
Many buildings on the site were later taken down to save on maintenance costs. The cottage called Drumtochty, built around 1890-1900, was moved to a new spot on the site in 1984 because of plans to widen Seven Hills Road. It was also renovated and its layout was reversed.
Today: Grantham Heritage Park
By 1989, much of the original land was divided into smaller lots for houses. Since 1991, more buildings have been demolished. Only six main structures and their smaller outbuildings remain:
- Melrose and Drumtochty houses
- The Administration building
- The old feed shed
- The switchboard and cleaner store
- A workshop
Since 1991, the site has mostly been unused, except for local residents and a community group called "Friends of Grantham" who help maintain it.
In 2002, the Blacktown City Council decided to buy the remaining site and its buildings. The Council bought the property in 2004. They saw it as a special resource for the community. The old Administration Building is now being used as a sustainability education center and for family day care offices.
A master plan has been created for the Grantham Heritage Precinct, now known as Grantham Heritage Parkland. This plan focuses on using the site for sustainability, preserving its heritage, and creating a "city garden" for the future.
Modifications and Dates
- c. 1897: Melrose house was built.
- 1901: Two properties were combined and used to test farm machinery.
- 1912 onwards: James Hadlington used Grantham for poultry experiments.
- 1917: The site was used for the Returned Soldier Settlement Scheme, with land divided into small farms.
- 1917-18: The Bachelors' Quarters were built for trainees.
- 1923: The property was transferred to the Department of Agriculture.
- 1927-39: New buildings were added, and some old ones were removed.
- 1937: A new office building, machinery room, and brooder houses were built.
- 1940s-1950s: Research facilities were upgraded, and new land was acquired.
- 1959: Land next to the station was rezoned for houses, making it harder to operate the farm.
- 1966-71: A new Administration Building was planned and built.
- 1982: The station's research was gradually phased out, and the property was reduced in size.
- 1984-87: Drumtochty cottage was moved and renovated due to road widening plans.
- 1988: The station officially closed, and several buildings were demolished.
- By 1989: Much of the original site was divided into residential lots.
- Since 1991: More buildings were demolished, leaving only six main structures.
- 2009: The Administration building was repurposed for a community environmental education center and childcare offices.
Description
The Site Today
The Grantham Heritage Park is located on the eastern side of Seven Hills Road. It has a fence around it and is accessed through locked gates. The northern part of the site has the entrance, the Administration Building, and the Melrose house.
Six main structures remain on the site:
- Melrose House (built around 1897) with its garage, chicken run, and outdoor toilet.
- The Administration Building (built in 1971).
- Drumtochty (built around 1890-1900) with its outbuildings.
- The Lands Department Workshop (built around 1962).
- The Switch Board and Cleaner Store (from the 1950s-60s).
- The Old Feed Shed (built around 1947).
- An open car shelter.
These buildings together help tell the story of the former research station. Melrose House, Drumtochty, and the Old Feed Shed are especially important.
Melrose House
This single-story brick house was finished in June 1897. It's a good example of the Federation style. It was designed to be symmetrical, with the main entrance facing away from Seven Hills Road. A circular driveway still leads to the front door.
The house originally had a slate roof and a verandah. Some parts, like the false gables and verandah rail, have been removed. The roof is now made of corrugated iron. There are some cracks in the brickwork, but attempts have been made to fix them.
Inside, Melrose has a central hallway, four bedrooms with fireplaces, a lounge room with a fireplace, a kitchen, and a laundry. The kitchen and bathroom have been updated, but most other rooms still look much like they did originally.
Three smaller buildings are connected to Melrose: a garage/carport, a chicken run, and an outdoor toilet. These were likely built after 1926.
Administration Building
Plans for this building were drawn up between 1968 and 1969 by the Government Architect's Office. It was completed in 1971. This building is a two-story structure made of brick and concrete. It has dark brick panels and copper sunscreens.
The building is built into a slope, so you go up a wide staircase to reach the first floor. Inside, it has offices, meeting areas, a reception, a library, and staff facilities. The lower floor has laboratories and other rooms. The building is surrounded by landscaped grassy areas and car parking.
Drumtochty
This wooden cottage was built around 1890-1900. It's a typical example of a Victorian-era cottage. It was changed in 1966 and then moved in 1984 to its current spot. When it was moved, its layout was reversed, so what was once the back door is now the front door. From 1986, it was used as part of a vehicle depot and then as a caretaker's home.
The roof is made of corrugated iron. The ceilings and internal walls have been replaced, and a verandah railing was added. The building is in good condition and still has many of its original features. It has two bedrooms, a lounge, a dining room, a kitchen, and a family room.
Lands Department Workshop (c. 1962)
This small building is made of timber and metal. It has a pitched metal roof and two roller doors. It was likely built just before 1962 and was probably first used as a "meatmeal research room" before becoming a workshop.
Switch Board and Cleaner Store (c1950s-60s)
This simple building is made of timber and asbestos cement sheets, with a corrugated iron roof. It might have been a garage or temporary store. The larger part of the building holds the main switchboard for the office building. The building is in poor condition.
Old Feed Shed (c. 1947)
This single-story shed has open sides and uses rough wooden posts, probably from trees on the property. It seems to have been built after 1947 and possibly in different stages.
The roof is made of corrugated iron, and the floor is concrete. The building is in good condition and still has many of its original features.
The property also has one of the largest remaining areas of Cumberland Plain Woodland in Seven Hills, which is a very important native forest type.
The World War 1 Memorial (c.2004)
A memorial was built around 2004 by the "Friends of Grantham" group. It's made of recycled timber and mosaic tiles. This memorial is located where the old Bachelors' Quarters used to be. It was built to remember the returned soldiers who settled on the site as part of the soldier-settlement scheme after World War I.
Condition of the Site
As of 1999, the remaining buildings were in fair to good condition. There's a good chance of finding old items buried in the ground from earlier times. However, much of the site has been disturbed by new buildings and changes over the last 40 years.
The site has not been actively used since 1990, so some parts have deteriorated due to weeds and storms. Despite this, some areas still have the potential to reveal information about the site's past.
Areas with Historical Potential
Historians believe that certain parts of the site could still hold important archaeological information:
- The area around Melrose house, including old building sites and possible old wells.
- The site of the former single men's barracks.
- The main area around the sheds.
- The old Seven Hills Road alignment.
Heritage Listing
The former Grantham Poultry Research Station is very important historically and socially. For over 70 years, it was a key center for the poultry industry in New South Wales. The government supported its work to make poultry farming more efficient. The scientific research done here, especially on vitamin and mineral deficiencies in chicken feed, saved the poultry industry from major problems. This research also made the station famous worldwide, making it one of the top six poultry research centers. It is believed to be the only poultry research station of its kind in New South Wales.
The site shows how farming and government policies changed over time. It started as a private farm, then became part of the Soldier Settlement Scheme, and later a government research station. It has always been a working farm since its early days.
The site is also one of the largest open spaces in the area. It has many important old trees that are part of the Cumberland Plain Woodland, which is an endangered type of forest.
The two old farm houses, Melrose House and Drumtochty, and the Old Feed Shed are also important. They are good examples of old rural buildings that are still on their original farm property. They help us understand the early history of the area.
Grantham Poultry Research Station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 7 April 2000 because it met several important criteria:
The place shows the history of New South Wales. Grantham Poultry Research Station is historically important because it was the main center for the poultry industry in New South Wales for over 70 years. It was the base for the State Poultry Expert from 1912. The site shows how farming changed from fruit orchards to poultry farming in the area. It also shows how government policies changed, from a private farm to a soldier settlement, and then to a government research station.
The Melrose house, built in 1897, is one of the oldest surviving farm buildings in the area. It helps us understand the early history of the region.
The place shows great design or technical skill in New South Wales. The site is one of the largest open spaces in the area and has many important trees from the Cumberland Woodland Plain. The road next to it, Seven Hills Road, still looks like an old rural road.
The two farm houses, Melrose and Drumtochty, and the Old Feed Shed are good examples of rural buildings that are still on their original farm property.
The place is strongly connected to a community or group in New South Wales for social or cultural reasons. The site was used to train and supply chickens and feed to soldiers returning from World War I. It had barracks for single men, which helped in the recovery and job placement of young Australian men after the war.
The place can provide information to help us understand the history of New South Wales. Some of Australia's most famous agricultural scientists worked here and became known worldwide. Their research in the 1940s, especially on vitamin and mineral deficiencies in chickens, changed poultry farming globally. This made the NSW government a leader in agricultural research. Important research continued here until the 1980s. The site has high archaeological potential because foundations of old buildings related to poultry research still remain.
The place has rare or endangered parts of New South Wales' history or nature. It is believed to be the only poultry research station of its kind in New South Wales. The Cumberland Plain Woodland is an endangered type of forest. Less than 7% of this original forest remains today.
The place shows the main features of a type of cultural or natural place in New South Wales. It was the base for the state poultry expert and for training and supplying chickens to returned soldiers. It is believed to be one of the top poultry research centers in the world. The trees on the site are a good example of the endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland.
Images for kids
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Incubator house, Grantham Stud Poultry Farm, 1921
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