Normanby Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Normanby Homestead |
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Normanby Homestead, 2008
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| Location | Cunningham Highway, Warrill View, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s - 1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | 1866 - 1867 |
| Architect | Charles Balding |
| Official name: Normanby Homestead | |
| Type | state heritage (built, landscape) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600737 |
| Significant period | 1860s-1870s (historical) |
| Significant components | residential accommodation - main house, garden/grounds |
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Normanby Homestead is an old house in Warrill View, Queensland, Australia, that is important to history. It was designed by an architect named Charles Balding and built between 1866 and 1867. This homestead is now on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its historical value.
Contents
A Look Back: Normanby Homestead's Story
Normanby Homestead was built for the family of George Thorn, who was a very important person in Ipswich, Queensland. The house was finished in 1867.
Early Days and the Thorn Family
The area where Normanby Homestead stands was named Normanby Plains in 1839. European settlers, often called pastoralists (people who raise livestock like sheep or cattle), started using this land in the 1840s.
George Thorn was one of the first free settlers in the Moreton Bay area. He was known as the "father of Ipswich" because he helped the town grow a lot. He even opened Ipswich's first hotel! George Thorn was also a politician, representing West Moreton in Queensland's first government. Many of his sons, including George, Henry, John, and William, also became politicians. His son George even became the Premier of Queensland, which is like the state's leader.
In 1845, George Thorn took over a large piece of land called Rosebrook. Later, part of this land became Normanby, which was about 8,000 hectares (that's about 20,000 acres!).
Building the Homestead
By 1855, George Thorn had already made some improvements to his property. He bought the land where the homestead now stands in 1861. In 1866, the Ipswich architect Charles Balding asked for builders to help construct a "villa residence" (a fancy house) and other buildings for George Thorn at Normanby. The house was likely finished in 1867.
In the early 1870s, George Thorn's son John Thorn managed Normanby Station. In 1875, people described the homestead as a "pine palace" because it was so grand inside, with polished wood and lots of space. At that time, the property had 20,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle!
Later Owners and Changes
After George Thorn passed away in 1876, the property was transferred to Donald Smith Wallace in 1881. He had married Thorn's daughter, Ida Australia. From 1883 to 1893, Reginald Gardiner Casey managed the station. He also married Thorn's granddaughter. Their son, Richard Gavin Gardiner Casey, later became the Governor-General of Australia, a very important role in the country. Normanby was still a sheep station during this time.
Over the years, the property changed hands a few more times and was eventually divided up and sold. In 1911, John Bligh Nutting, who had been living in the homestead, bought the house and about 360 hectares (around 890 acres) of land.
George Hunt bought the homestead in 1931. The current owners have lived there since the early 1960s. The original entrance gate to the property is still there today, across from the Warrill View State School. While some of the older buildings are gone, you can still see parts of the old garden from the 1800s. The house itself was updated in the 1960s.
What Normanby Homestead Looks Like
Normanby Homestead is a single-story building made of timber planks called chamferboard. It has a double-hipped roof made of corrugated iron, which is a common roofing material. A verandah (a covered porch) goes all the way around the house. The house sits on concrete blocks and stumps, with brick steps leading up to it.
Verandahs and Rooms
The verandah on the east side has fancy cast iron railings and decorative brackets. It has a timber floor and a sloped ceiling. Many French doors, which are doors with glass panels, open from the house onto the verandahs.
The northern verandah has been closed in with timber and windows to create a sunroom, a kitchen, and a bedroom. The southern verandah has also been enclosed to make a bathroom and an office.
Inside the House
Inside, the walls are made of painted tongue and groove boards, which are wooden planks that fit together. The doors and door frames are made of stained timber. The ceilings are made of fibrous cement, and the floors are covered with carpet and linoleum.
Large sliding timber doors separate the lounge and dining rooms. The dining room has a fireplace with a wooden frame and arched windows on either side. Some parts of the house have been changed over time. For example, a hallway was added, and one bedroom was divided into two. The guest room now has its own bathroom, and the kitchen has been updated.
Outside Features
Outside, there's a double carport (a covered area for cars) to the south. To the north, there's a tennis court, and to the northeast, there's a swimming pool. A trellis covered in vines screens the west side of the house. There's also a twin tankstand for water storage.
It's important to know that the furniture inside the homestead is not part of its historical protection. Only the building itself and its grounds are considered historically significant.
Why Normanby Homestead is Important
Normanby Homestead was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992, because it meets several important criteria.
Showing Queensland's History
This homestead helps us understand how Queensland's history unfolded, especially how farming and raising livestock (pastoralism) developed in the early days of the Moreton Bay region.
A Rare Find
It's rare to find such a well-preserved timber house from the 1860s, especially one with its original layout. It shows us how substantial country homes were built back then.
Connected to Important People
Normanby Homestead has a special connection to the Thorn family. They were very important in Queensland's growth in the 1800s, contributing to farming, business, and politics.
