Windsor Court House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Windsor Court House |
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| Location | Court and Pitt Streets, Windsor, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1821–1822 |
| Architect | Francis Greenway (original building) James Barnet (extension) |
| Official name: Windsor Court House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 804 |
| Type | Courthouse |
| Category | Law Enforcement |
| Builders | William Cox |
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The Windsor Court House is a very old and important building in Windsor, Australia. It was designed by a famous architect named Francis Greenway and built between 1821 and 1822. Later, James Barnet added an extension. This building is special because it's one of Australia's oldest courthouses still standing. It's officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's protected for its historical value.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Court House
Early Days and First Peoples
Long ago, the land around the Hawkesbury River was home to the Dharug people. They called the river Deerubbin. It was a super important place for them to find food and travel. The river and nearby creeks were full of resources.
European Settlement in Windsor
In 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip explored this area. He was looking for good farmland for the new colony. He found the Hawkesbury River and named it. European settlers started living here by 1794. This region, first called Green Hills, helped feed the colony. But the river often flooded, which was tough for farmers.
Governor Macquarie's Vision
In 1810, Lachlan Macquarie became the Governor of New South Wales. He started many building projects. He wanted to improve roads and public services. On December 6, 1810, he named five new towns, including Windsor. Windsor became a proper town with streets and public buildings.
Building the New Court House
Governor Macquarie wanted a strong, new court house for Windsor. He didn't want a simple wooden one. So, he asked the Colonial Architect, Francis Greenway, to design a brick building. Greenway was a former convict who became a brilliant architect.
The job to build it went to William Cox in October 1821. He agreed to build it for 1800 pounds. That's a lot of money! The building was finished in about 15 months. Convicts helped build it, which was common back then.
Macquarie's Farewell and a Special Painting
Governor Macquarie left Australia in 1822. Before he left, he visited Windsor. He saw Greenway's new St Matthew's Anglican Church and other buildings. The people of Hawkesbury thanked him for his hard work. They asked him to have his portrait painted. This painting was done in England. It has been hanging in the Windsor Court House since the 1820s. It's a very special piece of history!
Changes Over Time
The court house has had many repairs and changes over the years. In the 1840s and 1850s, the roof was fixed. In the 1870s and 1880s, James Barnet made some changes. More additions happened in 1890. In 1961, it was restored and updated. In 2000, more restoration work was done to fix earlier changes.
In 2014, the court house was almost closed. But the local community fought to keep it open. They didn't want people to have to travel far for court. So, it stayed open, but with fewer days each month. In 2017, it got a modern upgrade for video links.
What the Court House Looks Like
Architectural Style and Features
The Windsor Court House is one of Australia's oldest court buildings. It's built in the Colonial Georgian style. This style is simple but grand. It has a front veranda, which was a smart design for Australia's climate. The building has one main courtroom. It also has other rooms for legal work.
The building is made of brick. It has a sandstone base and stone details around the windows. The roofs are made of corrugated iron. The veranda has wooden posts. Inside, you can see beautiful wooden details and furniture.
Inside the Court House
Besides the courtroom, there are offices for the Sheriff and a community legal center. There are also rooms for interviews, lawyers, and the Magistrate.
The court house also holds a cool collection of old items. This includes furniture, old record books, and the famous painting of Governor Macquarie. Local residents paid for this painting in 1822 to thank him. Experts believe a Scottish artist named Colvin Smith painted it.
Why the Court House is Important
A Glimpse into History
The Windsor Court House is a rare building from the early 1800s. It shows how buildings were designed back then. It's very important for understanding Australia's history. It's one of the oldest court houses still standing in the country.
This building was important because Governor Macquarie wanted it. It was designed by Francis Greenway, who was once a convict. And it was built by William Cox using convict labor. It really shows how Australia was developing in its early days.
Important People Connected to the Court House
- Governor Macquarie: He ordered the building to be built in 1821. He was a very important leader.
- Francis Greenway: He was the Colonial Architect. He designed many famous buildings in New South Wales. These include the Hyde Park Barracks and St James' Church in Sydney.
- William Cox: He built the court house. He was a hardworking colonist. He also built the first road across the Blue Mountains.
Special Design and Beauty
The Windsor Court House has a simple but beautiful Georgian style. The main courtroom has verandas at the front and back. These verandas help keep the building cool. The building uses strong materials like handmade bricks and sandstone. The windows have special stone details.
Inside, the walls are white, and there's cedar wood paneling. Behind the Magistrate's chair, there's a fancy gold coat of arms. The room gets light from high windows. Greenway was clever because he changed his designs to fit Australia's climate and available materials. He didn't add extra decorations. Everything in his design had a purpose.
A Symbol for the Community
The Windsor Court House was built during a challenging time. There was pressure to save money, and there weren't many skilled workers. But it was finished quickly. It stands as a symbol of Windsor's growth and success. It shows the social and political changes happening in the early 1800s. It's a proud part of Windsor's story.
