Throsby Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Throsby Park |
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Throsby Park, painted by Conrad Martens, 1837
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| Location | Church Road, Moss Vale, Wingecarribee Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1820–1836 |
| Owner | Historic Houses Trust of NSW |
| Official name: Throsby Park Historic Site | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1008 |
| Type | Farm |
| Category | Farming and Grazing |
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Throsby Park is a special old house and property in Moss Vale, Australia. It's a heritage-listed homestead, meaning it's protected because of its history. The main house was built between 1820 and 1836. Today, the property is owned by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. It is currently leased to Tim Throsby, who is a descendant of the first owners. Throsby Park was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
Discovering Throsby Park's Past
How Throsby Park Began
In 1819, a retired Navy doctor named Charles Throsby received a large piece of land. Governor Macquarie gave him 1000 acres. This was a thank you for Dr. Throsby's help exploring new areas. Dr. Throsby had explored routes from Sutton Forest to Jervis Bay. He also explored from the Cowpastures to Bathurst.
He explored with Hamilton Hume, James Meehan, and Joseph Wild. They travelled through places like Camden and Kangaroo Valley. Dr. Throsby later explored the area around Bong Bong. This is where he decided to build his home.
Dr. Throsby's good reports about the Southern Tablelands made Governor Macquarie want to open up the area. Macquarie put Dr. Throsby in charge of building a 75-mile road. This road went from Picton to the Wingecarribee River.
Early Days and Growth
During a visit, Governor Macquarie named the property "Throsby Park." By 1820, a small hut was built there. By 1823, Dr. Throsby's nephew, also named Charles, built a small cottage. This nephew managed the property when Dr. Throsby was away. The cottage was even used as a court when Dr. Throsby was a Magistrate.
In 1825, Dr. Throsby became part of the New South Wales Legislative Council. This was a group that helped make laws. In 1828, he was one of the 12 largest landowners in the country. He also owned Glenfield Farm near Casula. Dr. Throsby kept adding to Throsby Park by getting more land. When he passed away in 1828, he owned 21,600 acres.
His nephew, Charles Throsby, inherited the property. Charles continued to improve the estate. In 1828, the property had a small house, a big barn, and other buildings. The number of workers grew from 30 to 50 by 1841. These workers included labourers, shepherds, and gardeners.
The 1830s were a good time for farming in New South Wales. Charles Throsby became a major food producer for the colony. He supplied beef, mutton, and grain to road workers and police. He moved much of his farming to the Monaro and Deniliquin areas in 1837. Throsby Park was perfect for supplying these distant properties.
Building the Main House
Charles and Elizabeth Throsby started building the main Throsby Park House around 1833. It was finished by 1836. A visitor named James Backhouse called the house a "noble mansion."
By 1842, Charles Throsby was a big shareholder in the Bank of Australia. He kept making improvements to Throsby Park. He was also active in the community. He was appointed District Warden in 1843. He even gave the land for and built Christ Church Bong Bong in 1845.
Later Years and New Owners
After Charles died in 1854, his wife Elizabeth leased out parts of the property. In 1868, she moved into the cottage. She leased the main Throsby Park house to the Governor of New South Wales, Lord Belmore. He used it as his summer home. Later, the Anglican Bishop of Sydney also used it as a summer residence.
Elizabeth Throsby died in 1891. The property then went to Patrick Hill Throsby, and later to Francis Henry Throsby. Patrick was known for breeding and racing horses. The Moss Vale Jockey Club held its races on the Throsby estate.
In 1905, bushfires threatened the area. Francis Throsby changed the shingle roof to corrugated iron to protect the house. He also made big changes to the house in 1910. A clay tennis court was built around 1915-16. It was a social spot until World War II.
Francis and his wife Jeannie gave Throsby Park House to their son, Francis Henry Osborne Throsby, in 1930. They continued to live there until 1938. Francis Henry Osborne Throsby and his wife Joan ran a guesthouse and riding school at Throsby Park. During World War II, many families lived at Throsby Park. The riding school continued after the war.
In 1975, the Government of New South Wales bought the house. However, Joan and Delicia Throsby continued to live in part of the house. Delicia also continued to run her riding school there. Throsby Cottage was bought by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1991.
The house was in poor condition before the National Parks and Wildlife Service started working on it. From the 1970s, it was sometimes open to the public for tours. In 2010, the property was given to the Historic Houses Trust of NSW. They continued to restore the house.
Between 2010 and 2013, the Historic Houses Trust repaired damage to the building. They fixed the lower parts of the 26 veranda columns. They also repaired a trapdoor to the cellar. In 2014, a forty-year lease was given to Tim Throsby, a descendant of the original family. He plans to invest a lot of money to restore the house. He hopes to live there with his family.
What Throsby Park Looks Like
Throsby Park is about 140 km south of Sydney. It is about 2 km east of Moss Vale. The site still has 74 hectares of the original land given to Dr. Charles Throsby.
The historic site has many parts. These include the main house, a barn, stables, gardens, and a dairy. There are also old roadways, horse yards, and a sheep dip. Some buildings that were once part of the property are now privately owned. These include the Mill, the Barn, and the original stables.
The buildings are made from local stone, weatherboard, corrugated iron, and old bricks.
Throsby Park House
The main house is a one-story building. It has cellars and attics. It is built from local stone. Inside, it has brick walls and cedar wood details. The roof is made of iron.
Throsby Cottage
Throsby Cottage is a timber-framed cottage with weatherboard siding. It has four sections with brick chimneys. Most of its roofs are hipped (sloping on all sides), and one is a gable roof (V-shaped).
Other Buildings
The laundry building is also timber-framed with weatherboard and a corrugated iron roof. The stables are made of sandstock bricks. They have an attic with dormer windows. The roof is hipped and made of corrugated iron. The walls are painted white, and the floors are stone. The horse yards are made of posts and rails.
The property also has a collection of furniture and pictures. Some of these belonged to the Throsby family. The buildings were in good condition after recent restoration work in 2000. Before that, they were quite old and worn.
Why Throsby Park is Important
Throsby Park Historic Site is very important for Australia's history. It was one of the first settlements outside the main Sydney area. It helped open up the Southern Highlands. Throsby Park is rare because it has been used continuously since it was first settled. It also stayed in the same family for a very long time.
It shows what life was like for wealthy families in early Australia. It was a busy farm that produced a lot of food. The farm buildings, some from the 1830s, helped develop the export of beef. Later, it became known for horse riding activities. The site also has many old remains underground that can teach us about its past. The artist Conrad Martens even painted the property in 1836.
Throsby Park House is the main building. Its design might have been influenced by John Verge, a famous architect. It is an important example of early Australian country houses. It shows how English building styles were changed to fit the Australian climate. The house and its furniture show the wealth and dreams of the Throsby family.
Important People and Connections
Throsby Park has strong links to Dr. Charles Throsby. He was a key person in the colony. He was an explorer, a government official, and a member of the first Legislative Council. He also raised good quality cattle. His nephew, Charles Throsby, was also very important. He developed the property and built the family's wealth. He built Throsby Cottage, the first home in the area. He also built Christ Church, Bong Bong, the first church.
The landscape of Throsby Park is important at many levels. It is a remaining part of the 1,000-acre land grant from Governor Macquarie. The old farm buildings and plants show how people settled and used the land. The "Cottage" was built by 1823 as the first home. It was still used after the main house was finished. The main house is a great example of a bungalow-style homestead with a courtyard. This is rare in New South Wales.
The stables are an important example of early Victorian design. They are still used as part of the riding school. The property also has an important collection of old furniture. Many important people visited Throsby Park, including Governors Macquarie, Darling, and Fitzroy. Lord Belmore and Bishop Barker also stayed there. The property kept a close connection with the Throsby family until the 1990s.
Throsby Park was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Why Throsby Park is Special
- It shows the history of New South Wales: Throsby Park has a strong link to the Throsby family. Dr. Charles Throsby was an important colonial figure. He helped open up new areas of New South Wales. His nephew, Charles Throsby, developed the property and built the family's fortune.
- It is beautiful and well-designed: The homestead is on a hill with great views. The other old buildings add to the historical feel. The house itself is a mix of English style and Australian needs.
- It has special meaning to the community: Throsby Park was the first property developed outside the main Sydney area. It helped open up the Southern Highlands. It is also linked to the growth of Moss Vale and the Bong Bong Picnic Race Club. It is still important to the Throsby family's descendants.
- It can teach us more about the past: The site has many old buildings and hidden remains. These can teach us about early farming and the lives of wealthy colonial families.
- It is rare: Throsby Park is a rare example of a farm that stayed in one family for a very long time (from 1819 to 1975). It is also one of the first properties developed outside the main Sydney area.
- It shows typical features of its time: Throsby Park House is a good example of a large verandahed cottage from the 1830s. The farm buildings are also good examples of early 19th-century farm structures.
