Murray Downs Homestead facts for kids

The Murray Downs Homestead is a very old and important house located on Moulamein Road in Murray Downs, New South Wales, Australia. It was built in different stages between 1866 and 1891. The first builders were brothers Seutorius Henry Officer and Charles Officer. Later, Alfred Felton and Charles Campbell added to the homestead. Today, it is privately owned and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its historical importance.

A Look Back: The Homestead's History

The Murray Downs Station was once a huge area of land in southwestern New South Wales. It stretched between the Wakool River in the north and the Murray River in the south. In 1848, two men, Messrs Bell and Wilson, applied to lease this large piece of land. It was about 150,000 acres (60,700 hectares).

In 1862, this big property was split into two smaller leases. Murray Downs Station became 67,751 acres (27,418 hectares). The other part was called Melool. Later that year, brothers Seutorius Henry Officer and Charles Officer bought Murray Downs and part of Melool. At this time, the land was undeveloped, with no fences or buildings.

Goods arrived by paddle steamer, and farm products were sent along the river to Echuca. From there, they went by train to Melbourne. Under Seutorius Officer's care, Murray Downs Station grew and became very successful. He was one of the first to use irrigation, which helped him create a thriving citrus orchard.

The property became like its own small community. It had everything it needed to be self-supporting. There was a baker, a blacksmith, a carpenter, and many other workers. On June 22, 1866, the Officer brothers were allowed to buy land on Murray Downs. By 1883, Murray Downs included 77,725 acres (31,454 hectares) of purchased land.

New Owners and Growth

In 1884, the property was sold to Alfred Felton and Charles Campbell. During their time, the sheep and wool industry on the station really boomed. In 1889, nearly 80,000 sheep were shorn on the property. At that point, the station was 80,683 acres (32,655 hectares).

In 1905, a company called Trustee Executors and Agency Company Ltd took over. Then, in 1917, a special merino sheep breeding program was started. Arthur Laird managed the station and the stud until 1935. The breeding program was very successful, and Murray Downs was officially registered as a stud farm in 1922.

In 1969, Kidman Reid & Co. bought the property. It continued to be a successful sheep station for many years.

Building the Homestead

The very first house on Murray Downs was a simple hut made of pine logs and mud. It had an iron roof and was lined with hessian and paper. No one knows exactly when it was built, but it was taken down in 1917.

The homestead you see today was started in 1866 by the Officer brothers. They built the middle part of the house. Bricks for the building were brought all the way from Echuca by barge. They also built many other important buildings around the homestead. These included sheds and stables for horses, wagons, and buggies. There was also a blacksmith's shop and a room for horse harnesses. At this time, the beautiful garden was also created.

From 1888 to 1891, Campbell and Felton made changes and added to the homestead. They built the two-story section and a roof tower. This tower was used as a lookout point. The current brick kitchen was built in 1884.

Today, the house and its immediate land are owned by Matthew and Clare Lewis. The homestead is open to the public for visits and is also used for special events. The land around it is still farmed as a hobby farm, providing a lovely setting for the historic buildings.

What the Homestead Looks Like

The Murray Downs Homestead area includes the main house and several other buildings. The main house is made of brick, painted, and has corrugated iron roofs. It has verandahs all around, two-story towers, and bay windows. There's also a viewing platform and a complex roof design.

The house has a central enclosed courtyard with fine gravel. This courtyard is surrounded by the homestead, the blacksmith's workshop, and an old school house. A timber picket fence, about 900 mm (3 feet) high, surrounds the area. It has tall posts topped with decorative finials.

Outside, there is a formal garden with beautiful plants and geometric flower beds. These beds have brick edging. There is also a small fruit orchard. A grand driveway, lined with important old trees, leads up to the house. There is even an artificial lake on the property.

Condition of the Homestead

As of November 2000, the homestead and its grounds were in good shape. They are regularly repaired and maintained so that visitors can enjoy them.

Over the years, the original large Murray Downs estate has been divided into smaller pieces of land. However, the homestead itself looks very similar to a sketch drawn in 1868. It hasn't had any major additions since the early 1900s. The area right around the homestead remains mostly the same as it was long ago.

Why Murray Downs Homestead is Important

The Murray Downs Homestead and its surrounding area are important because they show us what rural life and farming were like over the last 160 years. The main buildings are good examples of their time.

The local community really values the Murray Downs homestead. The Wakool Council has even listed it as an "historic precinct." Since the homestead is open to the public, it's clear that both local people and visitors appreciate its history.

This homestead is a great example of the large farming estates from the 1800s. In this region, there are not many grand rural estates left. So, Murray Downs Homestead helps tell the story of how people lived and farmed in the past.

Heritage Listing Reasons

Murray Downs Homestead was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 17, 2000, for several reasons:

• It shows the history of New South Wales: The buildings and land show how farming changed in the Murray Valley region. They tell the story of how farming families lived and worked for over a century.
• It is a landmark: The homestead building is a major landmark in the local area. Its tower and large size stand out in the otherwise flat landscape. The grand driveway and garden also make it special.
• It is valued by the community: The local council and community see the homestead as an important heritage item. It is a tourist attraction, and local people are proud of it.
• It is a rare example: While many houses from the late 1800s exist, the entire homestead area is rare in the Murray Valley region. It is one of the few remaining examples of a grand rural estate.
• It shows typical characteristics: The homestead, blacksmith's workshop, and school house are good examples of rural buildings from that time. They show the typical materials and building methods used.