Morpeth House and Closebourne House facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Morpeth House & Closebourne House
Heritage boundaries
Location	Morpeth Road, Morpeth, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1829–1849
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Morpeth House, Closebourne House, Adjoining Chapels and Diocesan Registry Group; Morpeth House; Closebourne House; Adjoining Chapels and Diocesan Registry Group; Bishopscourt; Broughton Boys Grammar School
Type	state heritage (landscape)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	375
Type	Historic Landscape
Category	Landscape - Cultural
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Morpeth House and Closebourne House are two historic homes in Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia. They were built between 1829 and 1849 by Edward Charles Close. This special area includes Morpeth House, which has been a private home, a bishop's residence, and a college. It also includes Closebourne House, which was a private home, a boys' home, a school, and a conference center. These buildings are important parts of Australia's history and are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.

History of Morpeth Houses

First People of the Land

Long before Europeans arrived, the land around Morpeth was home to Aboriginal people. The Wonnaruah people were the main group in this area. They had strong connections with other groups like the Awabakal and Worimi.

The Hunter River, which flows near Morpeth, was an important place for them. They called this part of the river Coonanbarra. The first Europeans landed here, likely because it was already a good spot used by the Aboriginal people to access the river. The area was perfect for camps, with plenty of food from the river, flood plains, and swamps.

The Close Family's New Home

In 1821, Lieutenant Edward Close received a large piece of land, about 2600 acres, from Governor Lachlan Macquarie. This land is where Morpeth House and Closebourne House stand today.

The Close family lived on this land from 1821 to 1849. At first, it was one big property. Edward Close built his first house, and then a grander two-storey house called Closebourne House. He chose a spot on a hill with great views of the river. This also protected the house from floods.

In 1849, the land was divided. Closebourne House was sold to become the home of the first Bishop of Newcastle. It was then called Bishopscourt. Morpeth House was built by the Close family as their own new home. After this, the two houses and their land were separate for a long time.

Edward Close used the help of assigned convicts to clear the land. They also quarried stone from his estate to build the main house. He wanted to make the land look like the familiar European countryside, with open grassy areas and special trees. He also helped build important community places like St James's Church and a school.

Closebourne House: From Bishop to Boys

When Bishop William Tyrrell bought Closebourne House in 1849, it became known as Bishopscourt. Bishop Tyrrell was the first Anglican Bishop of Newcastle. He was a keen gardener and probably planted many fruit trees and flowers.

Several bishops lived in Closebourne House over the years:

• 1849–1879: Bishop William Tyrrell.
• 1880–1886: Bishop Josiah Brown Pearson.
• 1891–1905: Bishop George Henry Stanton. He planted the famous avenue of brush box trees leading to St James Church.
• 1906–1912: Bishop John Francis Stretch.

In 1912, the bishops moved their home to Newcastle city. For the next ten years, the house's purpose was unclear.

During World War I, the church decided to help children in need. In 1922, Closebourne House became St Alban's Boys' Home for disadvantaged children. More boys needed a place to stay, so the balcony was enclosed to create more room. Electricity was also installed, and a large recreation room was built.

During World War II, the city was not safe for children. So, the Boys Grammar School moved into Bishopscourt from 1942 to 1959. It was renamed the Broughton Boys Grammar School. Many changes were made, including adding sports fields and tennis courts. Classrooms and a dining room were also built.

After the school closed in 1959, the house became the Diocesan Conference Centre. New buildings were added for visitors. In the 1980s, the house was restored, and some later additions were removed. In 1982, Bishop Tyrrell Lodge was built for more accommodation. The old gymnasium was turned into a chapel in 1983.

Today, Closebourne House has been restored and is planned to be the administration center for a new aged care facility.

Morpeth House: A College and Community Hub

After selling Closebourne House in 1849, Edward Close started building his third home, Morpeth House, on a hill nearby. His family moved into this single-storey stone house in 1856. It was designed in a Regency style, possibly influenced by Close's time in Spain.

Edward Close died in 1866. His sons owned the estate for a while, but eventually, Morpeth House was rented out. In 1925, it was bought by St John's Theological College. This college trains people to become Anglican clergy.

The college planned to build a large new campus, but the original Morpeth House was saved and used for college activities like a chapel, library, and dorms. A new chapel was built in 1941 using recycled stone.

During World War II, St John's College and the Girls Grammar School swapped places for a short time. After the war, more buildings were added for students, including married students. In 1955, the Diocese of Newcastle took over the college. This meant Morpeth House and Closebourne House were owned by the same group again after 106 years!

New buildings like the library and Burgmann House (a dormitory) were added. Memorial gates were put up in 1963. The college continued to grow, adding more student accommodation in the 1970s.

St John's College still trains Anglican clergy today. Morpeth House is now used as the administration center and community facilities for the Closebourne Village retirement complex.

What You Can See Today

The Morpeth House and Closebourne House site is at the western end of Morpeth town. It sits on a ridge overlooking the Hunter River. The area has open fields, wooded spots, and landscaped gardens.

Morpeth House Area

This part of the site has several buildings, some dating back to 1849.

Morpeth House

This is a single-storey stone house with a verandah facing north. It has wings that form a courtyard at the back. It was built starting in 1849 and became the Close family home in 1856. Later, it was used by St John's College for teaching and offices. Today, it's the main office for the Closebourne Village retirement complex.

Gardens and Landscaping

When Edward Close lived here, he started planting gardens. Later, when it was St John's College, some tennis courts were built. The area around Morpeth House and the college buildings was fenced. Many trees were planted in the 1960s and later.

St John's Chapel

This simple stone building was built in 1941. It was made from recycled sandstone from an old building in Morpeth. It's next to Morpeth House. The chapel was changed in 2012 by Lendlease (the current owners). The pews were removed, and a kitchen was added. It's now part of the community facilities for the retirement village and still hosts church services.

Calvary Garden

This is a walled garden next to St John's Chapel. It was created in 1954 as an outdoor chapel. The stone walls were built by college students using recycled stone from another old Morpeth building. It has a stone altar and benches. Today, it's known as the "Secret Garden" and is part of the retirement village's community facilities.

Library

This building was constructed in 1957–1958 after part of Morpeth House was removed. It has brick walls and a terracotta tile roof. Inside, it has brick walls and built-in shelves. It was designed as a library for the college.

Principal's Residence

This two-storey brick house was built in 1925–1926 for the college principal. It has a two-storey porch on the western side. It has not changed much over the years. It is currently empty, waiting to be redeveloped as part of the retirement village.

Robinson House

This two-storey brick building was built in 1925–1926 as a student accommodation block for the college. It has a terracotta tile roof. It was extended in 1956. It is currently empty, waiting to be redeveloped as part of the retirement village.

Temporary Dining Hall

This timber building was constructed in 1925–1926 as a dining hall and staff accommodation for the college. It has a corrugated steel roof. In 2019, the accommodation wing was demolished due to damage. The rest of the building was moved and rebuilt. It is now used as a social meeting place and workshop for the retirement village.

Burgmann House

This two-storey brick building was built in 1961 as student accommodation. It had a two-storey verandah. After many years of not being used, Burgmann House was demolished in 2018 for the retirement village development.

Paths and Fences

Some of the paths around Morpeth House date back to the 1920s. There are also low stone walls made from salvaged stone. Some old timber fence posts are the only remaining parts of the original fence that separated Morpeth House from Closebourne House.

Tennis Courts

Two tennis courts were built in the 1920s for St John's College students. They are now in poor condition.

Closebourne House Area

This area has a group of buildings, some dating from 1827.

Gardens

When Closebourne House was built, important trees like Moreton Bay figs and Cook's pines were planted. Later, Bishop Stanton planted the famous Brushbox Avenue around 1890. The gardens changed over time, especially when the house was a boys' home and then a conference center.

Closebourne House (Bishopscourt)

This is a two-storey stone house with a verandah facing north. It was completed around 1829. From 1849 to 1912, it was the home of the Bishop of Newcastle, known as "Bishopscourt." It was later converted into a boys' home and then a conference center. In the 1980s, it was restored to look more like its original design. Today, it has been restored and will be the administration center for an aged care facility.

Closebourne Laundry

This single-storey brick building was built in the late 1800s as a laundry for Closebourne House. It is now used as a small flat.

Closebourne Chapel (Gymnasium)

This brick building was built around 1930 as a recreation room or gymnasium for the boys' home. In 1983, it was converted into Closebourne Chapel. It is still used for services.

The Registry (Canon Wilson Memorial Building)

This brick building was built in 1946 using recycled materials from an older building. It was originally a library and art room. Today, it is used for storing historical records and as meeting rooms.

Dining Hall/Kitchen

This brick building was built in 1955 as a dining hall and kitchen for the Newcastle Boys Grammar School. It was also used as an assembly hall. It is now used as a dining hall and kitchen for St John's College and conferences.

Bishop Tyrrell Lodge

This U-shaped brick building was built in 1992 to provide accommodation for people attending conferences.

Assembly Hall

This timber building was built in 1946 as an assembly hall for the Boys Grammar School. It is now used for meetings and seminars.

Broader Site Features

Brush Box Tree Avenue and Sandstone Steps

This beautiful avenue of Brushbox trees was planted around 1891 by Bishop Stanton. It creates a shaded path between Closebourne House and St James Church. Sandstone steps at the end of the avenue provide access.

Memorial Gates

These sandstone gates were built in 1962–1963 at the entrance to the Morpeth House area. They are a memorial to Bishop Batty.

Trellis/Pergola

A pergola near Closebourne House is made from cast iron columns that were part of the original Closebourne verandah in the 1890s. These columns were reused to create this structure.

Why This Place Is Important

Morpeth House and Closebourne House are very important because they show us a lot about the history of New South Wales.

• Early European Settlement: This site was central to the first European settlement in the Hunter Valley. Edward Close, who founded Morpeth, built these houses.
• Anglican Church History: Closebourne House was the official home for the first four Bishops of Newcastle from 1849 to 1912. This played a big part in setting up the Anglican Church in the region.
• Education and Training: St John's College, located at Morpeth House since 1925, is one of only two Anglican theological colleges in New South Wales. It continues to train clergy, making it very important for the church.
• Unique Design: The way Closebourne House is set in its landscape, overlooking the town of Morpeth, shows a unique design idea from the early 1800s. It was like a "manor estate" controlling its area.
• Aboriginal History: The site was likely an important gathering place for Aboriginal people before Europeans arrived.
• Well-Preserved Buildings: The main buildings are beautiful and unusual examples from their time. They still have many of their original parts.
• Archaeological Potential: The ground beneath the site may hold clues about early European life and how the land was used.

The connection between these houses and the town of Morpeth is special. They were both planned by Edward Close and show how a town and a large estate could work together in early colonial times.