Harrisford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harrisford |
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Harrisford in 2019
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| Location | 182 George Street, Parramatta, City of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1823–1829 |
| Owner | The Kings School Old Boys Union |
| Official name: Harrisford | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 248 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Harrisford is a very old and important building located at 182 George Street in Parramatta, Sydney, Australia. It was built nearly 200 years ago, between 1823 and 1829. Over the years, Harrisford has been a family home, a famous school, a factory, and even a workshop! Today, it is owned by The King's School Old Boys Union and is recognized as a special heritage site in New South Wales.
Contents
A Look Back: Harrisford's Story
Early Days as a Home
Harrisford was built between 1823 and 1829 for a man named Rev. William Walker. He built it when he married Rowland Hassall's daughter. It was designed as a grand home for his family.
The King's School Begins Here
In 1832, Harrisford became the very first home of The King's School. This school was started by Archdeacon William Broughton. The school opened on February 13, 1832, with Rev. Robert Forrest as its first headmaster.
When it first opened, The King's School had about a dozen boys. By the end of that year, it had grown to 41 boarding students and 12 day students. Two small cottages nearby were used to house the boarding students. The King's School was one of the first schools in the colony to offer a higher education, especially for the sons of wealthy families. The school stayed at Harrisford until 1836.
William Woolls' School at Harrisford
Around 1840, William Woolls, who used to teach at The King's School, started his own school. He leased Harrisford for his new school. In 1841, 31 people lived at the school, including Woolls' family, staff, and boarding students.
The Governor of New South Wales, Sir George Gipps, even praised Woolls' school in 1842. He said it was one of the best private schools in the colony.
Life as a Student at Woolls' School
Walter Campbell, who was a student at Woolls' school in the mid-1850s, wrote about his time there. He said that Woolls was "remarkably kind and sympathetic" when teaching. Most of the boys were boarders and lived in Harrisford. There was a separate building between the house and the river that was used as the classroom.
The nearby Parramatta River was a popular spot for fishing and swimming. However, in 1841, a teacher sadly drowned while trying to save a boy who was in trouble. For the 25 or so students, there were also fun trips and picnics in "General Macarthur's Bush." They also went for walks to Baulkham Hills and beyond.
Campbell also shared details about Woolls' home life. His daughters and Mrs. Woolls played the piano, and Woolls himself played a large, old-fashioned flute. The household seemed quite well-off, with two housemaids, a cook, and a handyman. At one point, the cook was an Aboriginal woman. An assistant teacher helped with arithmetic, writing, and spelling, while Woolls taught subjects like Latin. Some students from The King's School, like George Fairfowl Macarthur, later joined Woolls' school.
William Woolls' Later Life
William Woolls left Harrisford in 1864 and moved his school to a larger property called Newlands. This property had once belonged to Rev. Samuel Marsden. Woolls' school was never very big, usually having about 30 boys at a time. It was known as a happy and educational place.
During his time at Newlands, Woolls continued his important studies in botany (the study of plants). He even included botany in the school's lessons, taking the boys on field trips around Parramatta to collect plant samples. Woolls was a very important early schoolmaster and botanist. He often gave talks about plants and was recognized by famous botanists in Britain and Europe. In 1865, he became a Fellow of the Linnean Society in London, which is a very respected scientific organization. In 1872, Woolls retired from teaching and became a reverend in 1873.
Harrisford's Later Uses and Restoration
In 1870, Harrisford was painted and had a special fanlight above its front door. The fence had round-topped pickets and a unique gate.
Later, the building was home to John Harris, who was the nephew of Surgeon Dr. John Harris of Harris Park. After being a home, Harrisford was used for many different things, including a peanut butter factory, a stationery shop, and even a car workshop!
In 1980, The King's School Old Boys Union worked to restore Harrisford. They wanted to make it look like it did in the 1830s. They hired special heritage architects to help with the restoration.
What Harrisford Looks Like
Harrisford is a two-storey house built in the Old Colonial Georgian style. It has brick walls with a special pattern called Flemish bond. It also features sandstone blocks at the corners and along the first floor. The roof is made of corrugated iron, but it was originally covered with wooden shingles. The wooden parts and fittings inside the house look like they are from the 1830s, but they are actually reproductions.
The house is surrounded by a timber picket fence and has a well-kept garden. Behind the main house, there is an older building that was likely used as a kitchen or a schoolroom in the past.
Why Harrisford is Important
Harrisford is located between George Street and the Parramatta River. It is one of the oldest houses still standing in Parramatta. It is a very important building because it shows what early settlement in the area was like. Harrisford helps us understand how Parramatta developed in its early years. It is important for its history and its connection to the community.
Harrisford was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, recognizing its special value.
