Merembra Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merembra Homestead |
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Merembra Homestead, picture in 2018
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| Location | 218 Gormans Hill Road, Bathurst, Bathurst Region, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1863–1864 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Georgian |
| Official name: Merembra Homestead; John's Farm; Barley Mow Inn | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 14 July 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1397 |
| Type | Homestead building |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | Unknown |
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Merembra Homestead is a historic house located in Bathurst, Australia. It was built between 1863 and 1864. This old homestead was once known as John's Farm and also the Barley Mow Inn. Today, it is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, recognized for its important history and unique style.
Contents
History of Merembra Homestead
Early Settlement in Bathurst
In 1815, Governor Macquarie asked William Cox to build a road over the Blue Mountains. This road was finished in the same year. It followed the Macquarie River until it reached Gorman's Hill.
The road passed through an area called Queen Charlottes Vale. This location, near Vale Creek and the Macquarie River, was very important. It made Merembra, or John's Farm, a key spot as Bathurst grew.
The Baylis Family and John's Farm
The story of Merembra Homestead begins with the Baylis family. Joseph Baylis, a soldier, arrived in Australia in 1790. He later became a farmer near Windsor. His wife, Ann Taylor, also arrived in Australia in the early 1800s. They had eight children together.
Their son, John Baylis (1808-1880), moved to Kelso, Bathurst, in the 1820s. In 1830, John received a land grant of 108 acres. This property became known as "John's Farm." John Baylis was a farming pioneer, trying out new methods on the land. He lived on the farm for 50 years.
The current homestead was built around 1864. It was made of triple brick on a strong stone foundation. It is said that a famous bush ranger, John Vane, helped carry the stones for the foundation.
For a time, John Baylis and his son Henry ran a hotel called the "Barley Mow" at John's Farm. They also owned and trained horses there. One of their horses even won a race in 1881. The building was officially licensed as the Barley Mow Hotel for one year in 1867.
The McPhillamy Family and Merembra
In 1881, John's Farm was sold to John McPhillamy at an auction. The name of the property was then changed to Merembra. The McPhillamy family did not live at Merembra themselves.
John McPhillamy Jr. (1850-1935), John's eldest son, became the owner of Merembra. He was involved in many local groups, including sporting clubs and the Bathurst District Hospital.
In the 1930s, John's granddaughter, Faith Lurline, bought Merembra. She was married to Walter McPhillamy. This brought the homestead back into the ownership of a family connected to the original Baylis family. Faith took a special interest in her nephews, who lived nearby. Her nephew, Raymond Bayliss, later inherited Merembra.
In 1987, Raymond Bayliss sold the homestead and some land to the Pryke family. This ended the long connection of the Baylis and McPhillamy families to the property. In 1999, Margaret and Jim Glen bought Merembra.
What Merembra Homestead Looks Like
Merembra is a classic example of a Victorian Georgian farmhouse. It has strong stone foundations and walls made of three layers of brick. The roof is hipped, meaning it slopes on all sides, and is made of iron.
A covered porch, called a verandah, wraps around three sides of the house. It has simple wooden posts. There are also small "stranger's rooms" at each end of the front verandah. The house has three brick chimneys on the main roof and one over the kitchen area.
The building is surrounded by a large garden and lawn. A very old and large stone pine tree stands out in the front garden. There is also a cellar under the house, which can be reached from the back.
In 2000, the homestead was in good condition and still looked much like it did when it was first built.
Why Merembra Homestead is Important
Merembra Homestead is special for many reasons. It is a great example of a medium-sized Victorian farmhouse in a beautiful rural setting. Its location on the old Bathurst Road makes it easy to see.
The families who owned Merembra were very important in the early days of Bathurst. They helped build the area's infrastructure. The homestead is connected to several key people in Bathurst's history, like Thomas Kite, John Baylis, and John McPhillamy. The story of the bush ranger John Vane also adds to its unique history.
Merembra Homestead was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register because it meets several important criteria:
- It shows the history of New South Wales: The site is linked to the first European explorations and settlements in the Bathurst Plains. It shows how colonial settlement policies worked in the 1830s.
- It is connected to important people: The homestead is strongly linked to the Baylis, Kite, and McPhillamy families. It is also said to be connected to the bush ranger John Vane during its construction.
- It has beautiful design: Merembra Homestead is a lovely Victorian Georgian farmhouse. Its position overlooking the Macquarie River in an unspoiled rural area makes it very scenic.
- It has social and cultural importance: The homestead has been connected to early settler families for over 160 years. It represents the success of free settlers in the Central West region.
- It can teach us more about history: The homestead still has many of its original features. This means it can help researchers learn about old building materials and techniques. John Baylis also experimented with different crops on the farm. The building's design as a former inn also tells us about its past use.
Merembra Homestead is a great example of a typical medium-sized Victorian farmhouse.
