Harrington Park (homestead) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harrington Park |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Location | 1 Hickson Circuit, Harrington Park, Camden Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1817–1827 |
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| Official name: Harrington Park | |
| Type | State heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 22 December 2006 |
| Reference no. | 1773 |
| Type | Homestead Complex |
| Category | Farming and Grazing |
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Harrington Park is a special historic property in the south-western Sydney suburb of Harrington Park, Australia. It used to be a large country estate with a race track and grazing land. The main house, called the homestead, was built between 1817 and 1827. Today, it is privately owned and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its important history.
Contents
Discovering the Cowpastures
The area around Camden, where Harrington Park is located, was first explored by Europeans in 1790. Later, in 1795, a large herd of cattle that had escaped from the First Fleet was found grazing there. This area was named the "Cowpastures" by Governor Hunter, like the common grazing lands in England.
The Europeans were very impressed by the beautiful landscape. They saw "large ponds covered with ducks and the black swan" and hills that looked like "waves of the sea." They thought the flat areas were perfect for cattle and the hills for sheep. The land also reminded them of a fancy English park, partly because Aboriginal people had managed it by using controlled fires.
At first, the government tried to keep settlers away from the Cowpastures to protect the wild cattle. But by 1810, small farmers started moving in. After 1812, Governor Macquarie began giving large land grants to important people in the colony. This was to help grow food for the increasing population.
Some of the first big properties granted in 1815 included Harrington (which became Harrington Park), Kirkham, and Orielton. These estates were initially used for sheep and cattle. By the 1820s, some owners, like William Campbell, started building permanent homes and farms, turning these properties into country retreats.
William Douglas Campbell: Founder of Harrington Park
Captain William Douglas Campbell was a British merchant navy captain who knew a lot about sailing the Pacific Ocean. He first visited New South Wales in 1797. He became very successful in trade, especially with sandalwood from Fiji and salt pork from Tahiti.
In 1809, Campbell's ship, the Harrington, was taken by escaped convicts and later destroyed. As payment for this loss, Governor Macquarie gave him a large land grant of 809 hectares (2,000 acres) near Camden on 10 June 1815. Campbell settled on this land in 1817 and named it Harrington Park after his lost ship. He lived there until he died in 1827.
Building the Homestead
The first house Campbell built at Harrington Park is believed to be the current kitchen area. It was a simple, single-room brick dwelling. Over time, he expanded it into a two-storey brick house. This was common for gentlemen farmers who were setting up their country estates.
Later Campbell Family Owners
William Douglas Campbell died in 1827, leaving Harrington Park to his nephews, Murdoch and John Campbell. In 1828, records show Murdoch Campbell living at the property with servants and convict laborers. The farm had 324 hectares (800 acres) of cleared land and 81 hectares (200 acres) in cultivation.
In 1829, a part of the estate was sold to John Douglas Campbell, which later became Oran Park. Sadly, Murdoch Campbell was killed at Harrington Park in 1833. After his death, the property was passed down through the family but faced some challenges. Eventually, in 1853, the remaining part of Harrington Park with the homestead was sold to Abraham Davy. This ended the Campbell family's ownership of the estate.
Abraham Davy's Improvements (1853–1874)
When Abraham Davy bought Harrington Park in 1853, he worked hard to improve it. He cleared more land, built a dam, and even created a racecourse. He also added more land to the estate. Davy is known for making Harrington Park "one of the most picturesque in the district."
He also planted many trees, including conifers, which are trees that stay green all year round. A photograph from the late 1800s shows a grassy carriage loop with small trees near the house.
The Rudd Family Era (1874–1934)
The Rudd family took over Harrington Park in 1874 when William Rudd Senior bought the property. The estate was about 413 hectares (1,020 acres) at this time. Unlike other farms in the area that focused on dairy, Harrington Park mainly raised sheep.
Major changes were made to the house in the 1890s. The old shingle roof was replaced with corrugated iron, and the wooden verandah was updated with a fashionable Victorian design using cast iron. The Rudd family owned the property until 1934, selling it during the difficult years of the Great Depression.
The Fairfax Family (1944–2005)
The famous Fairfax family, known for their publishing company John Fairfax & Sons Ltd., bought Harrington Park in 1944. During World War II, a military camp was located on a part of the property. This camp was used by the army before soldiers were sent to other places. After the war, the army removed everything, leaving only concrete and bitumen.
Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax, who was the Chairman of John Fairfax Ltd., became the sole owner of Harrington Park in 1956. He used it as his country retreat, a peaceful place away from his busy life in Sydney.
Warwick Fairfax started big renovations at Harrington Park in 1957. New cottages were built for the manager and staff, and a glasshouse was added to the garden. He also had a special garden study built, where he could write. This study, designed by Marcel Weyland, had a unique Asian-inspired roof. Warwick Fairfax spent more time at Harrington Park with his family and wrote books there, including The Triple Abyss.
Changes Since 1980
In the 1980s, plans began to turn parts of the Harrington Park estate into a residential area. In 1986, a large section of 320 hectares (790 acres) was approved to be changed from rural land to urban land. The Fairfax family kept about 40 hectares (99 acres) around the main house.
Construction of the new suburbs, like Lakeside, began in 1994. Today, the area south of Narellan Creek is known as "Harrington Park Estate," a modern residential suburb. While the surrounding land has changed, the homestead complex still stands as a reminder of its long history.
What Harrington Park Looks Like
The original land grant in 1815 was for 809 hectares (2,000 acres). It included rich flat areas for crops and larger grazing paddocks. The Harrington Park homestead complex is the heart of what was once a much bigger farm. Even though much of the land has been developed into suburbs, the area around the homestead, its gardens, and old farm buildings still remain.
Landscape Features
- The main entrance is along Sir Warwick Fairfax Drive.
- There are sculptures, including owls on a brick fence and a bull by Tom Bass near the kitchen.
- You can still find old orchard trees like pears, mulberries, and citrus.
- Some original native eucalyptus trees, like forest red gums, are still there.
Gardens and Plantings
The garden at Harrington Park has many old, tall trees, especially conifers, which were likely planted after 1853. These include huge Bunya Bunya pines, hoop pines, and Mediterranean cypresses. These tall trees make the homestead stand out and can be seen from far away.
The large circular driveway in front of the house is also lined with mature trees. Later plantings from the 20th century include Chinese elm, swamp cypress, and Illawarra flame trees. There are also interesting plants like the "dragon fruit" cactus climbing a garden wall.
A tennis court from the 1960s is to the north-east of the homestead. There was also a nursery and a gardener's cottage. Sir Warwick Fairfax's garden study is hidden by hedges of African olives.
The Homestead Complex
The Harrington Park complex includes:
- The main homestead building.
- The Garden Study.
- The Studio (which used to be a Billiard Room).
- Two farm cottages and storage sheds.
- The carriage loop and part of the old driveway.
The Homestead Building
The main house is made of brick. The oldest part, built around 1817, is a single-storey section that is now the kitchen. The main two-storey part was added later, between 1817 and 1829. It has a grand entrance with a triangular shape above the steps and columns. There's a wide stone verandah at the front. The house also has a large cellar and a unique curved sitting room at the back that opens into the garden.
Condition of the Property
In 2005, the main house was in fair condition, needing some repairs to its brickwork and wooden parts. The roof had been fixed to prevent leaks, and systems were installed to check for termites. The farm cottages and sheds were in good condition. The gardens were affected by drought, but the large trees and drought-resistant plants were doing well. The driveways and entrance areas were also in good condition.
Historical Clues in the Ground
The site has a lot of potential for archaeology. This means that digging in certain areas could reveal information about old buildings and structures that were once there. For example, an 1852 map shows where stables, stockyards, a kitchen building, and a gardener's cottage used to be. Finding the remains of these buildings could teach us more about how the estate was organized in the past.
Even though new houses have been built nearby, the homestead complex, including its gardens and farm buildings, still looks much like it did historically.
Changes Over Time
Harrington Park has changed a lot since it was first granted:
- 1815: The original grant was for 809 hectares (2,000 acres).
- 1828: 324 hectares (800 acres) was cleared, and 81 hectares (200 acres) was used for crops.
- 1829: Part of the estate was sold, which later became Oran Park.
- Around 1852: A map shows a racecourse and a vegetable garden near the house.
- 1853 onwards: Abraham Davy made big improvements to the house and garden, planting many trees.
- 1874-1930s: The estate changed from a gentleman's retreat to a grazing farm.
- 1920s-1937: The estate was leased and used as a dairy farm.
- 1982: A large section of the estate was approved for residential development.
- Around 1990: The area south of Narellan Creek began to be developed into the suburb of Harrington Park Estate.
The homestead building itself also saw many changes:
- 1817: The original single-storey cottage (now the kitchen wing) was built.
- 1825: A two-storey section was added.
- 1890: The verandah was changed to cast iron, and the roof shingles were replaced with corrugated iron.
- 1955: More alterations and additions were made, including to the kitchen and front verandah.
- 1967: New master bedroom and retreat rooms were added to the northern side of the house.
The gardens and other structures also evolved:
- Around 1950: The Studio (Billiard Room) was converted from an older cottage.
- 1957: The Garden Study was built.
- Around 1960: A plant nursery was set up west of the house.
- 1850s-1860s: Davy planted many large trees like Bunya Bunya pines and Mediterranean cypresses.
- 1890s: Major garden renovations included a new driveway and the removal of some tall shrubs near the verandah.
Why Harrington Park is Important
Harrington Park is very important to the history of New South Wales for several reasons:
- Historical Significance: It's one of the earliest large country homes in the "Cowpastures" area. It shows how wealthy settlers lived in the early 1800s, building grand homes that reminded them of England. It's one of the few homes from the 1820s still standing in the Cumberland Plain.
- Connections to Important People:
* It was first granted to William Douglas Campbell, a well-known trader. * It was owned by the Rudd-Britten family, who were successful graziers. * It was a country retreat for Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax, the chairman of the famous Fairfax publishing company. He even wrote books there! * The garden study and pavilions were designed by the important architect Marcel Weyland, who brought an Asian influence to the design.
- Beautiful Design and Views: The homestead is placed high on a hill, offering amazing views of the surrounding landscape, including the distant Razorback Range. This shows how people in the 17th and 18th centuries thought about beautiful landscapes. The gardens, with their unique Bunya and Hoop pines, create a stunning setting for the house.
- Social Importance: Harrington Park is important to local Aboriginal people, including the Cubbitch Barta Title Claimants and the Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council. It's also a significant landmark for the people of Camden, reminding them of the area's early colonial history. Many groups who care about history and beauty value this place.
- Research Potential: The property can teach us a lot about how estates developed from early colonial times to the 20th century. The changes to the house and gardens show how the owners' lives and wealth changed over time.
- Rarity: Harrington Park is rare because it's one of the earliest "Gentleman's residences" (built 1817–1827) from the time of Governor Macquarie in the Cowpastures area.
- Good Example: It's a great example of a large Georgian-style homestead with later Victorian and modern changes, showing how these types of properties evolved in New South Wales.
