Mayfield, Lower Boro facts for kids

Mayfield is a special old farm complex located in Lower Boro, Australia. It's known as a "heritage-listed" site. This means it's important to history and is protected. This historic place was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 18, 1999.

The History of Mayfield Farm

Mayfield has a long and interesting past. It was once owned by a family business called Harry Jenner and Sons. The first main house, or homestead, was built around the 1860s. Sadly, this original house burned down in 1932.

Building the Homestead

The current homestead was built in 1927. Some of the older buildings on the farm are even older. The original shed for shearing sheep, the stables, and the dairy (where milk was processed) date back to the 1860s. Other smaller buildings were added around the 1920s.

Ancient Discoveries at Mayfield

Archaeologists have found signs of human activity at Mayfield from as far back as the 1820s. This shows that people have been living and working on this land for a very long time.

Mayfield and the Dam Project

Around 1985, the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board bought Mayfield. They planned to build a large dam called the Welcome Reef Dam. However, this dam project never happened.

Exploring the Mayfield Homestead

The main house at Mayfield is a weatherboard building. It still looks much like it did when it was first built. The front porch, called a verandah, is supported by strong brick pillars and wooden posts. The roof is made of corrugated iron.

Unique Features of the House

The front part of the roof has a special design called a gable. It shows off the wooden rafters and original wooden shingles. The front door has many small glass panes. The windows are casement windows, which means they open outwards like a door.

Farm Outbuildings and Surroundings

Mayfield has many other buildings, mostly made of timber and corrugated iron. A long driveway leads to the house, which might have been a loop for carriages in the past. Tall, old pine trees stand near the homestead. There are also garages from the 1920s. Water for the house comes from large water tanks.

Old Farm Structures

Mayfield is one of the biggest properties in the area. Near the original shearing shed, there's an old hut made of wooden slabs. This hut might have been used to store farm tools. There are also two newer cottages next to the shearing shed. Another house from the 1920s is next to the old slab shed. Inside the shearing shed, you can still see old tractor parts and shearing equipment.

Ruins on the Property

In a faraway part of the property, you can find old granite ruins next to a dead tree. These ruins are a hint of even older structures that once stood here.

Condition of the Buildings

Most of the buildings at Mayfield are in good condition. However, the old shearing shed and the slab sheds are not in as good shape. They show their age more than the other buildings.

Why Mayfield is a Heritage Site

Mayfield is considered a very important historical site. It helps us understand how people used the land in the past.

What Makes Mayfield Special

• Old Farm Practices: The site shows how farms used to work. This includes the original shearing shed, the pens for holding sheep, the old slab shed, and even old farm machines. You can also see signs of old plowing lines and paths where animals walked.
• The Homestead Complex: The main house and all the farm buildings, like sheds and worker cottages, are still mostly complete. They form an important group of buildings from the past.
• Hidden History: There might be even older things buried underground. These could include granite building parts and old fences.

Mayfield was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 18, 1999, because it meets special requirements.

Rare and Important History

Mayfield is considered very rare and important for the history of New South Wales. It has unique beauty in its region and is historically rare across the whole state.

Showing Key Characteristics

The site also helps us understand the main features of old farms and environments in New South Wales. It's important for scientific study because it represents a typical example of these places.