Silverwater Prison Complex Conservation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silverwater Prison Complex Conservation Area |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Location | Holker Street, Silverwater, Cumberland Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1829–1850 |
| Architect | John Verge; Walter Liberty Vernon |
| Owner | Corrective Services NSW |
| Official name: Silverwater Prison Complex Conservation Area; Silverwater Correctional Centre; Mulawa Correctional Centre; Silverwater Gaol; Newington Estate; Silverwater State Hospital; State Hospital & Asylum for Women | |
| Type | state heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 813 |
| Type | Gaol/Lock-up |
| Category | Law Enforcement |
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The Silverwater Prison Complex Conservation Area is a special place in Silverwater, Australia. It's listed as a heritage site, which means it's important to protect because of its history. This area includes a very old house called Newington House and other buildings that were once part of a prison.
The site was designed by John Verge and Walter Liberty Vernon. It was built between 1829 and 1850. Over the years, it has been known by different names. These include Silverwater Correctional Centre, Mulawa Correctional Centre, and Newington Estate. Today, it is owned by Corrective Services NSW. It was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
A Journey Through Time
This special place has a long and interesting history. It started as land for Aboriginal people. Then it became a large estate, a school, a hospital, and finally a correctional centre.
First People of the Land
Long ago, this land belonged to the Wangal clan. They were part of the larger Darug language group. The Wangal people lived along the southern side of Parramatta River. They were skilled at fishing, gathering shellfish, and hunting animals. They used bark from trees to build shelters.
Early Settlers and Big Farms
In the late 1700s, land grants began in this area. Two officers from a ship called HMS Sirius received land. One of these grants later became part of the Newington Estate.
In 1807, a wealthy settler named John Blaxland received a large grant of 1290 acres. This land covered a wide area between the Parramatta River and Parramatta Road.
Newington House and Blaxland's Business
Between 1829 and 1832, John Blaxland built his home, Newington House. It was a grand English Regency-style mansion. He also started a farm, a factory, and even a saltworks here. Blaxland and his brother, Gregory, were pioneers in the cattle industry. They were also the first to make salt from the river's marshes.
A private chapel, St. Augustine's, was built in 1838. The house had beautiful gardens. After Blaxland died in 1845, the property was used for other purposes. It was neglected for a while.
A School for Boys
In 1863, a Methodist clergyman named Rev. John Manton leased Newington. He wanted to start a school for boys. This school became Newington College, one of Australia's famous GPS schools.
Nineteen boys were the first students on July 16, 1863. They came from different towns. The old bell that once called Blaxland's workers now called the boys to lessons. The chapel was used as a classroom. The house was also restored during this time.
The school grew quickly. But the site was only leased, so it wasn't a permanent home. In 1869, the Methodist Church decided to move the school. They moved to Stanmore in 1880.
From Hospital to Correctional Centre
In 1880, the NSW government bought part of the site. It became an asylum for older women who needed care. By 1887, Newington House was the main building of the Silverwater State Hospital. It stayed a hospital until 1969.
Between 1911 and 1918, the asylum was changed into a State Hospital. New buildings like Irwin House were added.
In 1968, the Department of Corrective Services took over the site. It became the Silverwater Correctional Centre (SCC). This included a prison for men and a women's prison, the Mulawa Correctional Centre (MCC). The site has been expanded and updated many times since then.
Key Changes Over Time
- 1807: John Blaxland received a large land grant.
- 1829-1832: Newington House was built.
- 1838: The private chapel (St. Augustine's) was built.
- 1863: Newington College, a boys' school, opened here.
- 1880: The school moved. The site became an asylum for aged women.
- 1887: The house became the center of Silverwater State Hospital.
- 1911-1918: The asylum was changed into a State Hospital.
- 1968-1969: The site became the Silverwater Correctional Centre.
- 1985: A major redevelopment and expansion of the prison began.
- Early 1990s: More prison facilities were added.
What You Can See Today
Today, Newington is part of the Silverwater Correctional Centre. But you can still see many important historical parts of the site.
Newington House
Newington House is a two-story house built between 1829 and 1832. It looks like an English mansion. The front of the house is very balanced, with a central section that sticks out. The main door has a beautiful fanlight above it.
This house is now used as an administration building for the correctional centre. When archaeologists studied the site, they found parts of the original building. This includes the sandstone staircase and parts of the verandah. They also found evidence that the bricks for the house were likely made right on the site.
Gardens and Trees
Even though the area has changed a lot, parts of the old gardens remain. You can still see many old trees. These include groups of mature trees and the outline of the old carriage loop. This was a circular driveway in front of the house.
One very rare plant here is the Boer or Hottentot bean (Schotia afra). It's from South Africa and was likely planted around 1840. Some say it might be the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere!
Other trees include Canary Island date palms, southern nettle trees, and cotton palms. There are also Bunya Bunya pines and Moreton Bay figs. These trees show how the gardens looked long ago.
The Chapel
The private chapel, St. Augustine's, was built in 1838. It's a brick building with a unique design. It mixes old Georgian style with Gothic Revival features. You can see pointed arches and a marble plaque from 1838 above the entrance.
The chapel has been used for many things over the years. It was a place of worship for the Blaxland family. It was also a classroom for Newington College. Later, it served as residential accommodation during the hospital era. Today, it is used as a chapel within the prison complex.
Other Historic Buildings
- Irwin House: Built between 1911 and 1918, this building was likely for nurses. It has a beautiful design with verandahs. It's now a central part of the Men's Correctional Centre.
- Former Engineer's House: Also built around 1911-1918, this cottage has a Federation style. It was once home to the site engineer.
- Former Superintendent's House: This two-story house is another example of Federation architecture. It sits in a lovely garden setting.
Why This Place is Important
The Silverwater Prison Complex Conservation Area is very important for its history. It shows how the land was used over time. It tells the story of early settlers, education, and how care for people has changed.
Newington House's Importance
Newington House is a great example of an old colonial villa. It reminds us of how people lived and expanded west towards Parramatta. It's one of the three most important old houses in the Cumberland area.
The house is linked to the Blaxland family, who were important in the early colony. It has changed uses many times, from a family home to a college, a hospital, and now a prison administration building.
Chapel's Importance
St. Augustine's Chapel shows the strong religious beliefs of early settlers. Its many uses over time reflect the different groups of people who lived and worked here.
Important Landscape Features
The area around Newington House and the chapel is also very important. This includes the old carriage loops and the trees. The rare Schotia afra plant and other old trees are also significant. They show what the original estate looked like.
Irwin House's Importance
Irwin House is valued for its beautiful Federation design. It's a rare example of a hospital building from its time. Its design and setting make it very special.
Engineer's Cottage's Importance
This cottage is important because it was part of the State Hospital complex. It provided housing for the site engineer. Its Federation style and how well it has been kept add to its value.
