The Manse, Mount Druitt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Manse |
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The Manse, 2010
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| Location | 23 The Avenue, Mount Druitt, City of Blacktown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | c. 1880s |
| Owner | Blacktown City Council |
| Official name: The Manse; Methodist Manse | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 206 |
| Type | Presbytery/Rectory/ Vicarage/Manse |
| Category | Religion |
| Builders | probably by local notable, John Harris |
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The Manse is a very old house in Mount Druitt, Sydney, Australia. It was built around the 1880s. This special building used to be a home for church ministers. Today, it is a community museum and a place where the Mount Druitt Historical Society meets. The Manse is important because it's the oldest building still standing in Mount Druitt. It is protected as a heritage site by the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
Contents
A Look Back at The Manse's History
Early Days in Mount Druitt
The area where The Manse stands has a long history. It was one of the first places settled by Europeans in New South Wales. This area, along with Prospect and Colyton, was about 45 kilometers west of the first Sydney settlement.
In 1821, Governor Macquarie gave 1000 acres of land to Major George Druitt. Major Druitt was an important person in the early colony. He was an officer and helped build many roads and buildings. The land he received became known as "Mount Druitt."
From Farmland to a Special Home
The land where The Manse is located was part of Major Druitt's original grant. Over many years, the land changed owners several times. In 1881, a real estate agent named George Kennedy King bought a large section of this land. He then divided it into smaller blocks.
The Manse was likely built in the late 1880s after this land was divided. It was probably built by a well-known local person, John Harris. The Kennedy family owned and lived in the house for a while.
A Home for Ministers
The Kennedy family were very religious. When a new church was being built, they realized the minister needed a place to live. So, around 1895, they gave their house to the Presbyterian Church. From then on, it was called "The Manse," which means a house for a minister.
Many ministers lived in The Manse over the years. For example, Reverend George Milne lived there from about 1913 to 1930.
The Manse Today
Later, the Blacktown City Council bought the house in 2001. For a few years, they rented it out as a regular home. During this time, some items like a fireplace and an organ were removed from the building.
From 2007 to 2008, the Council worked to fix up and restore The Manse. They wanted to make it ready for community use. Today, The Manse is home to the Mount Druitt Historical Society. It is a special place where people can learn about the history of the area.
What The Manse Looks Like
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The House Itself
The Manse is a single-story brick house. It has a classic Victorian Georgian style. This means it has a simple, rectangular shape with a sloped roof. There's also a covered porch, called a verandah, on two sides. Some parts, like a small roof vent and the verandah floor, have been updated more recently.
The Manse Reserve Area
The Manse sits on a piece of land called The Manse Reserve. This area has different parts. Near the corner of The Avenue and Mount Druitt Road, there's a section with many old Eucalyptus trees. This area looks like a small forest.
There's also an open grassy area and a gravel car park that leads to The Manse. The house itself is at one end of the property. It's a very important building for the area.
Plants and Trees Around The Manse
The trees in the reserve are similar to the native plants found in the nearby Dr. Charles McKay Reserve. These include grey box and narrow-leafed ironbark trees. While there aren't many small native plants left, the large trees are important.
Some non-native plants like privet, oleander, and cypress pine have been planted around The Manse over the years. These are not part of the original heritage garden.
The reserve is mostly undeveloped for public use, except for the car park and some fences.
Why The Manse is Important
The Manse is a very important historical building. It was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it is protected and recognized for its historical value to the state of New South Wales. It helps us understand what life was like in Mount Druitt many years ago.
