Toxana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Toxana |
|
|---|---|
Toxana, 157 Windsor Street, Richmond, New South Wales
|
|
| Location | 157 Windsor Street, Richmond, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1843–1844 |
| Owner | Edds Family Superannuation Fund |
| Official name: Toxana | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 14 |
| Type | Town House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | James Melville (bricks); George Marlin (carpentry) |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Toxana is a very old and important house located at 147 Windsor Street in Richmond, New South Wales. It was once the first home of the Hawkesbury Agricultural College from 1891 to 1896. This special building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, meaning it is protected for its historical value.
Contents
The Story of Toxana
Early Days and First Peoples
The land around the lower Hawkesbury River was originally home to the Dharug people. This area was very important for them because of the nearby Nepean River and South Creek. These rivers, which the Dharug and Darkinjung people called Deerubbin, provided lots of food and were used for travel.
In 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip explored this area. He was looking for good farmland for the new colony. He discovered and named the Hawkesbury River. European settlers started living here by 1794. This region, originally called Green Hills, was known for its rich farmland. It helped the early colony survive tough times. However, the river often flooded, which could ruin farmers.
The Bowman Family and New Beginnings
John Bowman arrived in New South Wales in 1798. He became a farmer in Richmond on a property called "Archerfield." He was a free settler from England.
John Bowman supported the free settlers in the Hawkesbury area. He disagreed with the powerful military group, the New South Wales Corps. He supported governors like William Bligh and Lachlan Macquarie. The settlers often wrote to the governors and even to the Colonial Secretary in England, explaining their problems with the military. Their efforts helped reduce the military's power.
After Governor Bligh was removed from power, John Bowman and other settlers continued to support him. They sent a letter in 1809 to Viscount Castlereagh, saying they were not involved in the rebellion.
Under Governor Macquarie, who started in 1810, the colony grew. He built many public buildings and improved roads. In December 1810, he created five new towns in the Hawkesbury Region, including Richmond. This made Richmond a more permanent place with streets, public buildings, and a town square.
John Bowman was promised land by Governor Macquarie. In 1821, he started building a house on Richmond's main street. He died in 1825 and left his house to his son, George Bowman. George became a farmer and also a politician, elected to the Parliament of New South Wales in 1851.
John and Honor Bowman had four children. Their son William had a large farm in Richmond by 1828.
Building Toxana
In the 1830s, William Bowman (John's youngest son) became interested in helping more free immigrants come to the colony. He visited England in 1836 and married Elizabeth Arthur there. In 1837, he helped pay for twelve married couples to travel from London to Sydney.
William Bowman was given the land where Toxana now stands around the 1830s. Maps from 1836 show other buildings on Bowman's land before Toxana was built. There was also a garden and sheds where Toxana would later be.
Historians disagree on the exact building dates for Toxana. However, recent studies suggest it was built in 1843-1844.
There is also some debate about who built Toxana. Some say it was George Marlin, a carpenter. Others say it was James Melville, a bricklayer. It seems that both men worked on it. James Melville did the brickwork, and George Marlin with his three sons did the carpentry. They built Toxana for William Bowman around 1842.
William Bowman and his brother George were very important in developing the area. They were involved in farming and public life. William also owned properties in the Bathurst area and grew wine. Toxana was a large town house built during a time of economic growth in the 1840s. It showed a hopeful outlook during that period.
William Bowman died in Richmond in 1874. He was buried in St Peter's graveyard. His wife Elizabeth lived in Toxana until her death in 1885. The property then went to Ann Catherine Cadell.
Toxana as a College
In 1886, Ann Cadell sold Toxana to Reverend James Cameron. He later became a very important leader in the Presbyterian Church in Australia.
Old photos from 1888 show the front of Toxana partly hidden by large trees. There was a low stone wall fence with iron gates.
In 1891, the new Hawkesbury Agricultural College rented Toxana. It was used as a temporary home for its first students. Twenty-five students moved in on 10 March 1891. The College officially opened on 16 March 1891. A photo shows important government officials on Toxana's front steps.
Meals were served in the basement of Toxana. Lectures were held in a room on the eastern front verandah. The rest of Toxana was used for student bedrooms. The college's horses were kept in stables behind Toxana. There was also a simple dairy in old sheds behind the house.
By 1896, all students moved to a new, specially built college campus. This new campus was located south-east of Richmond. The College aimed to give young farmers scientific and practical training.
In 1892, strong winds blew down the upper verandah of Toxana. Later that year, Richmond got a piped water supply, and Toxana was connected. This replaced the old system of water tanks on the roof. In 1893, a bee farm was set up in the garden behind Toxana, but it moved in 1894.
Later Owners and Restoration
Reverend Cameron died in 1905. Toxana was then rented out to the "Head Quarters 3rd Australian Infantry Regiment."
In 1906, the property was put up for auction. George Edward Woodhill bought Toxana and some surrounding land in 1907. The house was later turned into flats, but we don't know exactly when.
Over the years, parts of the land were sold off. In 1921, John Mulvena, a chemist, bought Toxana and its remaining land.
During World War II in 1942, local church leaders asked the Army to rent Toxana. They wanted to use it as a service club for soldiers. At that time, a person named "Kellie" lived there. The owner was Chandos Scouller. An airman and his wife lived in the upper flat. The Army decided not to rent the whole house, but the airman was allowed to stay.
After Scouller's death, the property was transferred to his relative, Isabel Valentine Scouller, in 1971.
In 1978, the Windsor Municipal Council bought Toxana for $75,000. They spent another $179,500 to restore it, with help from the Australian Government. Photographs from before 1978 show what the building looked like before the restoration. Other photos show the work being done in 1978.
As part of the restoration, the front garden was changed. Some of the original front fence was moved or removed. A jacaranda tree in the front garden was kept.
Toxana was given a Permanent Conservation Order in 1979. This means it is officially protected under heritage laws. It was also listed on the Register of the National Estate in 1980. Finally, it was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999.
Since then, parts of Toxana have been leased out. The Commonwealth of Australia leased some rooms on the ground floor in 1981. The basement was leased to others in 1988.
What Toxana Looks Like
Toxana is located on Richmond's main street, close to the town center and Richmond Park. It sits back from the street, with a front garden behind a stone and iron fence. At the back, there is a driveway and parking area.
Toxana has beautiful details from the Regency and Georgian architectural styles. It is a large two-storey house. The first floor has iron railings and open iron columns. The ground floor has round wooden columns that get narrower at the top. The house is built high above the ground, and its front entrance is very noticeable. It is made of brick with sandstone blocks at the corners and around the windows. There is also heavy stonework around the front door.
Why Toxana is Important
.jpg)
Toxana was built around 1840 for William Bowman. He was elected to the first Parliament of New South Wales in 1843. Toxana is one of the most important houses in the Richmond area. It has strong links to history and shows amazing Regency and Georgian design.
The house is a big two-storey building with iron railings and columns on the top floor. The ground floor has tapered wooden columns. The house is raised high off the ground and has a very grand entrance. It is built from brick with sandstone details around the corners, windows, and front door.
Toxana was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
