Old Liverpool Hospital facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Liverpool Hospital
Location	College Street, Liverpool, City of Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1822–1958
Architect	Francis Greenway; Edmund Blacket; Walter Liberty Vernon
Owner	TAFE NSW / NSW Department of Education and Training
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Liverpool TAFE College (former Liverpool Hospital); Colonial Medical Service Hospital; Benevolent Asylum; Government Asylum; State Hospital & Asylum; Technical College; South Western TAFE
Type	state heritage (complex / group)
Designated	11 December 2009
Reference no.	1809
Type	Tertiary College
Category	Education
Builders	Convict labour
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The Old Liverpool Hospital is a very old building in Liverpool, Australia. It used to be a hospital but is now part of TAFE NSW, a college where people learn job skills. This special building is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its important history.

It was designed by famous architects like Francis Greenway, Edmund Blacket, and Walter Liberty Vernon. Construction started in 1822 and continued until 1958. Many parts of the original building were built by convicts. Over the years, it was known by different names, including the Colonial Medical Service Hospital and the Liverpool State Hospital and Asylum.

A Look Back: History of the Hospital

Early Days: Aboriginal Land

Long before Europeans arrived, the land where Liverpool is now was home to Aboriginal people. The Darug people lived here, along with the Tharawal and Gandangara tribes. They called the land Gunyungalung. The Georges River was a natural border between these groups. Even though people lived here for thousands of years, no specific Aboriginal sites have been found within the old hospital area.

First Hospitals in Liverpool

In 1810, Governor Lachlan Macquarie explored the Georges River. He decided to create the new town of Liverpool there. He wanted a hospital built early on, especially for the many convicts living in the area. He chose a beautiful spot by the Georges River.

The very first hospital in Liverpool was built in 1810. It was a small brick building with three rooms. It could hold about 30 patients. But Liverpool grew quickly, and this hospital soon became too small.

Building the Second Liverpool Hospital

Governor Macquarie decided to build a much bigger hospital. This new hospital is the one that still stands today. It was one of Macquarie's last big projects. Francis Greenway, a well-known architect at the time, started drawing up the plans in 1820.

Construction began in 1822. However, Macquarie left, and the new governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane, changed some plans. Greenway was even dismissed from the project! Another architect, Standish Lawrence Harris, took over. He found that the first foundations were not good, so they had to be rebuilt.

Work on the hospital was slow because of changes in governors and budgets. Even though Greenway started the design, it's not clear if the final building looks exactly like his original ideas. The earliest plans we have are from 1825/26, but they don't say who drew them.

The main hospital building was finally finished in December 1829. It took seven years to build! The final design was much more interesting than most simple public buildings of that time. This creative look is often credited to Greenway and Governor Macquarie's vision.

Above the entrance of the main building, there's a stone plaque that says "1825." It's a mystery why this date is there, as it doesn't match when construction started or finished.

While the hospital was being built, convicts also constructed a tall brick wall around the complex. This 10-foot-high wall, with stone entrance pillars, was finished by 1829. It has stayed mostly the same over time. This wall limited how much the hospital could expand, so the buildings inside had to be changed and reused many times.

A Hospital for Convicts (1830-1851)

After it was finished, the Liverpool Hospital opened in 1830. It was run by the Colonial Medical Service. Its main job was to care for the many convicts in the area. Convicts working for the government could get free care. Other people, like free settlers, had to pay a small fee.

James Bowman, a top surgeon, was in charge. But after 1840, fewer convicts were sent to New South Wales. The town's population also started to shrink. The hospital became less needed and was closed by the Colonial Medical Service in 1845. The building was empty for a while.

Helping Those in Need (1851-1862)

In 1850, the Benevolent Society decided to use the old hospital site. This society was a group that helped sick, poor, and elderly people. Their main building in Sydney was too crowded. So, in 1851, they opened a new branch in Liverpool. About 240 men moved in.

To make the hospital suitable for an asylum, new buildings and changes were needed. Edmund Blacket, the Government Architect, helped with these changes. Even with the changes, the site quickly became too crowded again. By 1862, the government was not happy with how the Benevolent Society was running things. So, the government took over.

Government Asylum (1862-1918)

When the government took control, about 403 patients were living there. Thomas Burnside, a retired army sergeant, became the Superintendent. His wife, Mary Burnside, was the Matron. They worked together to care for the patients. Later, William Strong and Joseph Aloysius Beattie also served as superintendents. They cared for hundreds of people who were poor, old, or sick.

During this time, the site changed a lot. More people needed care, so the main hospital building needed to be bigger. Edmund Blacket designed two new wings (Blocks A and C) that were built in 1866 and 1874. He made sure they matched the style of the original 1820s building.

Other buildings were added or changed too. For example, Block F was designed by Government Architect WL Vernon around 1902-1907. It replaced older kitchen and laundry buildings. It has a tall brick chimney, which shows how hospitals used to be designed in the early 1900s.

The front area of the main hospital building has some very old and special trees. These include a hoop pine, Bunya pine, and Norfolk Island pine. Some of these trees might be from the 1850s or even earlier. They were often planted at important government buildings like hospitals.

Liverpool State Hospital (1918-1958)

In the early 1900s, the Liverpool Hospital became one of the main hospitals in the Sydney area. The government wanted to expand it even more. But the old brick wall built by convicts made it hard to add new buildings. So, they decided to update and change the existing buildings to meet modern standards.

The hospital continued to serve the community until 1958. By then, the old buildings were no longer suitable for modern medical care. It was hard to adapt them for new practices. So, after almost 150 years, the hospital moved to a new location nearby.

A New Chapter: Technical College (1960-Present)

After the hospital closed, the site found a new purpose. In 1960, it was bought and turned into a Technical College. By July 1961, the college was open. Some newer buildings were added (Blocks J and K), and some older ones were removed. Today, it is known as the Liverpool campus of TAFE NSW.

Old Hospitals in New South Wales

The Old Liverpool Hospital is special because it's one of the few early hospitals in New South Wales that is still mostly intact. For example, the first permanent hospital in Sydney (built in 1816) only has two wings left. The original Parramatta Hospital, which was used for 200 years, has been changed many times and was mostly demolished.

Because of its age and how well it has been kept, the Old Liverpool Hospital is a rare and important historical site in Australia.

What the Hospital Looks Like

The Site and Its Wall

The old Liverpool Hospital is surrounded by a brick wall. Convicts built this wall in the late 1820s. Most of the wall is still original. This wall has always limited how much the site could grow. This is why the buildings inside have been reused and changed over time. The wall also helped keep the main hospital building (Block B) as the most important building on the site.

Gate Keepers Cottages

At the entrance to the complex, there are two small brick cottages (Blocks S and T). These were built around the same time as the main hospital in the 1820s. They were for the gatekeepers. Inside, they have been updated, but their outside look is still original.

Main Building Forecourt and Trees

The area in front of the main hospital building (Block B) has some very old and tall trees. These include a hoop pine, Bunya pine, and Norfolk Island pine. These trees are very old, possibly from the 1850s or even earlier. They were often planted at important government buildings.

Main Building (Block B)

The main hospital building (Block B) was built in the 1820s by convicts. It's in a style called Colonial Georgian. It's a simple but impressive brick building with sandstone foundations and a slate roof. It was designed with wide bays to allow air to flow through, which was important for hospitals back then.

The building has a tall, round tower with an octagonal (eight-sided) top and arched windows. You can still see the "broad arrow" mark on some of the bricks, which shows they were made by convicts. This building's design was different from the usual plain public buildings, showing the creative ideas of Governor Macquarie and Francis Greenway.

Block B still has its beautiful brickwork and red arches. Inside, it has been changed over the years. The main entrance has a double door with a fancy semi-circular window above it. Above this door is a stone plaque with "GR 1825" and a crown. The tall tower inside still has its original wooden features and stone staircase.

Blocks A & C: Blacket's Wings

On either side of Block B are two wings, Block A and Block C. These were designed by Edmund Blacket and built later, in 1866 and 1874. Even though they were built much later, Blacket designed them to match the original building's style and materials. They have well-preserved brickwork and stairwells.

Block F (1902-1907)

Block F was built between 1902 and 1907. It combines the kitchen, laundry, and other smaller buildings into one brick complex. It was designed by WL Vernon. It has a large brick chimney, which shows how energy was used in hospitals in the early 1900s. The base of the chimney is from around 1902, but the top part was likely rebuilt around the 1940s.

Block G (Around 1880s)

Block G was originally a store building. It's a single-story brick building from around the 1880s. It has verandahs (covered porches) on three sides. While the inside has changed, the outside and some original features like a long roof window are still there.

Block E (Mid-1800s)

Block E is a single-story brick and steel building from the mid-1800s. It was first used as a dining hall. It has been changed and added to many times over the years.

Blocks J & K (Mid-1900s)

Blocks J and K are newer buildings from the mid-1900s. They are brick buildings that don't quite fit with the older style of the site. Block K, in particular, is quite large and makes the main Block B building look smaller.

Changes Over Time

• 1830s: Block B was changed to be used as an asylum by the Benevolent Society.
• Around 1840: A kitchen building was added (where Block F is now).
• 1852-1861: The Benevolent Society built more buildings, including Block E.
• 1862: The government repaired buildings and started building Blocks A and C (finished 1866 and 1874).
• 1860s-1870s: A covered walkway between Block B and the kitchen was rebuilt. Part of the brick wall was rebuilt.
• Around 1880s: Block G was built.
• Around 1899: Balconies were added to Blocks A and C.
• 1902-1907: Block F was built to combine the kitchen, laundry, and other small buildings.
• 1918-1958: Major changes and additions were made to the site to make it a State hospital.
• Around 1940s: Block H was built; the chimney on Block F might have been replaced.
• Around 1960s: Block J was built.
• 1962-1988: The college made changes to adapt the site for education.
• 1970s: Block K was built.
• 1975/76: Money was given to help preserve the main building.
• 1989-1999: Existing buildings were updated.

Why This Place is Special

The Old Liverpool Hospital is very important to the history of New South Wales. Here's why:

A Long History of Care

This place is one of the oldest and most complete colonial hospital sites in Australia. It has a long, continuous history of helping people. From 1810 to 1958, it served the health needs of convicts first, and then the wider Liverpool community. The buildings show how hospitals and asylums changed over 150 years.

Built by Convicts

The main 1820s building (Block B) was built by convicts. It's considered one of the best colonial buildings still standing in Australia. It shows the high quality of work done by convict labor gangs. The Gate-Keepers Cottages and most of the brick wall around the complex were also built by convicts.

Great Design and Architecture

The buildings at the old hospital (Blocks A, B, C, S, T, F, and G) show excellent architectural design and construction from the early colony. Blocks A and C, designed by Edmund Blacket, fit perfectly with the original 1820s building. Block F, designed by Walter Liberty Vernon around 1902, also blended well with the complex.

The design of Block B was very creative and different from the simple box-like buildings common at the time. This shows the influence of Governor Macquarie and possibly Francis Greenway. The quality of the convict brickwork, with their special "broad arrow" marks, is still visible.

This site is also a well-known landmark in Liverpool. Many experts see the main 1820s building (Block B) as one of Australia's finest colonial buildings.

Connections to Important People

The Old Liverpool Hospital is linked to several important figures in New South Wales history. This includes governors like Lachlan Macquarie, Sir Thomas Brisbane, and Sir Ralph Darling, who were all involved in its construction. Architects like Francis Greenway, Standish Harris, Edmund Blacket, and W. L. Vernon designed different parts of the site. Important medical staff like James Bowman, Joseph Beatty, and Thomas and Mary Burnside also worked here.

Hidden History Underground

The site has archaeological remains from the original 1810 hospital. This is very rare for sites in New South Wales from before 1850. Finding more of these remains could teach us a lot about how early hospitals were built and used, and about convict construction methods.

A Rare Find

The Old Liverpool Hospital is rare because it's an early colonial public building that has been used continuously for a very long time. It started as a health facility for convicts, then for the community, and now as an educational college. Very few early hospitals in New South Wales have survived like this.

With construction dating back to 1810, finding archaeological remains from before 1850 on this site is extremely rare. There are few other places in Australia with such old buildings and archaeological evidence.

The main 1820s hospital building (Block B) is also rare because its design was so different from other public buildings of its time. This shows the creative influence of Governor Macquarie and Francis Greenway.

The convict-built brick wall around the site is also a rare example of the high quality of convict craftsmanship.

A Great Example

The Old Liverpool Hospital complex is a great example of an early public building from Governor Macquarie's big plan to develop Liverpool and the colony. It shows what early colonial hospital buildings looked like and the building methods used back then. The different buildings also show how hospital design changed over time and the impact of various government architects.

Images for kids

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  The building during its time as the Liverpool State Hospital.