Lansdowne Park, Goulburn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lansdowne |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Location | Bungonia Road, Goulburn, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1822–1825 |
| Owner | Neville and Irene Lee |
| Official name: Lansdowne; Lansdowne Park; Synagogue and 3 Cottages | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 132 |
| Type | Homestead Complex |
| Category | Farming and Grazing |
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Lansdowne Park is a very old and important homestead located on Bungonia Road in Goulburn, Australia. It was built a long time ago, between 1822 and 1825. This historic place is also known simply as Lansdowne. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 because of its special history and features.
Contents
Lansdowne Park: A Historic Homestead
Lansdowne Park is one of the oldest homesteads and properties in the Goulburn area. It shows us what life was like in the early days of the colony of New South Wales. The property has many original buildings, some of which were built by convicts.
Early Days and Tobacco Farming
The story of Lansdowne Park begins with Jonas Bradley. He was an early settler who had a farm near Windsor Road in Sydney. In 1811, he received livestock from the government. He became a regular supplier of meat to government stores.
Jonas Bradley was also a pioneer in growing tobacco. He was the first person to grow tobacco in large amounts for sale in the Goulburn district. In 1823, he received the first award ever given by the Agricultural Society. This award was for his success in growing tobacco. He even shared his methods for growing and preparing tobacco, which were published in the Sydney Gazette.
Jonas wanted to grow even more tobacco. He felt his land near Windsor was too small. So, in 1822, he asked Governor Brisbane for a new piece of land. He wanted land in the Burragorang district, which he thought was perfect for tobacco. By 1836, Lansdowne was producing 1.5 tons of tobacco each year!
The Bradley Family's Innovations
Jonas Bradley's son, William Bradley, continued the family's innovative spirit. In 1836, William opened a brewery near the homestead. Between 1836 and 1840, he added a steam-powered mill. This mill was one of the very first steam-powered industries in the entire colony! It processed a huge amount of wheat each year.
William Bradley was also very important for the sheep industry. He developed a special treatment for a sheep disease called scab. This treatment helped get rid of scab from sheep flocks in New South Wales. His work was as important for sheep as other famous work was for wheat. William also brought the first Southdown sheep to New South Wales.
After William Bradley passed away in 1868, the brewery and mill were sold. The Lansdowne property itself was also sold.
Exploring Lansdowne Park Today
Lansdowne Park is still a working farm today. It has large grassy fields and a vineyard. The main homestead buildings are on a small hill overlooking the Mulwaree Chain of Ponds (a river).
The Main House
The main house is built in an old colonial style. It has a U-shape and is made of timber boards. The roof is made of corrugated iron now, but it was originally made of shingles. There are open verandahs (porches) on three sides. Inside, you can see beautiful cedar fireplaces and timber floors.
The Ballroom
North of the main house is a special building called the ballroom. It's made of stone and has a high ceiling. Inside, there's a timber dance floor, crystal chandeliers, and large windows. Imagine the parties that must have happened here!
Coach House and Stables
There's a two-storey stone building that used to be a coach house and store. It has a gabled roof and was even used by Cobb & Co. coaches, which were like old-time buses.
Nearby are the stables and barn, also made of stone. Inside, you can still see the original horse stalls with carved wooden posts. The ground floor has a stone cobble floor. The upper level was used for storing hay and other supplies.
Convict-Built Structures
Lansdowne Park has several buildings that were built by convicts.
- Servants' Quarters: This long, low brick building was where the servants lived. The rooms were originally separate "cells" but have been opened up. Today, they are used for guest accommodation.
- Convict Gaol: This stone building was once a small jail. For a long time, it didn't have a roof, but it has recently been restored.
Other Buildings
The property also includes other old buildings like a meat/slaughter house, a worker's cottage, and a farm cottage. There's also a strange, almost square brick building called the Synagogue. It's in ruins now, but its walls show it was once a unique place.
Why Lansdowne Park is Special
Lansdowne Park is incredibly important for understanding the history of New South Wales.
- Early Settlement: It was one of the very first properties settled in the area south of Sydney.
- Important People: It was home to the Bradley family, who played a big role in shaping the development of the colony.
- Rare Architecture: The homestead is a rare example of an early timber colonial house. It shows us old building techniques.
- A Glimpse into the Past: The property has many original buildings that show what rural life was like in the 1800s. It's like a complete picture of the past.
- Aboriginal History: The property was also a significant place for Aboriginal people. It was used as a meeting place and burial ground, and it was where Aboriginal and European people first met in this area.
- Industrial History: It's closely linked to one of Goulburn's earliest industries: William Bradley's steam-powered mill and brewery.
Lansdowne Park helps us understand how the colony grew and developed. It's a special place that holds many stories from Australia's past.
Lansdowne was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
