Yasmar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yasmar |
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| Location | 185 Parramatta Road, Haberfield, Inner West Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1856–1858 |
| Architect | John Bibb |
| Owner | Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA) |
| Official name: Yasmar; Yasmar Hostel; Juvenile Remand & Detention Centre; Yasmar School | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 18 February 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1379 |
| Type | Villa |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | Unknown |
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Yasmar is a special old house located at 185 Parramatta Road in Haberfield, Sydney. It has a rich history, serving many different purposes over the years. It started as a private family home and later became a Sunday school. It also served as a children's court and a place for young people who needed care or supervision. Today, community groups use parts of Yasmar, and it's also a training facility for correctional services.
The house was designed by an architect named John Bibb and was built between 1856 and 1858. The land around Yasmar has been known by several names, including Yasmar Hostel and Yasmar Juvenile Justice Centre. The New South Wales State Government currently owns this historic property. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on February 18, 2000, which means it's officially recognized as an important part of the state's history.
Contents
Yasmar's Early History
The Ramsay and Learmonth Families
In 1803, a large piece of land, about 480 acres, was given to Nicholas Bayley. This land later became the suburb of Haberfield. In 1805, a wealthy businessman named Simeon Lord bought the land. He renamed it "Dobroyde."
Simeon Lord's daughter, Sarah Anne, married Dr. David Ramsay in 1825. Dr. Ramsay was a surgeon from Scotland. The Dobroyde Estate became part of Sarah Anne's dowry. The Ramsays built their first home, "Dobroyde House," on this estate in 1826. Many street names in Haberfield today, like Lord, Ramsay, and Yasmar, remember this family.
Dr. Ramsay was very interested in gardening. He started the Dobroyde Gardens Nursery in the 1830s. In 1840, the Ramsays began a Sunday School at Dobroyde House. This was the first Sunday School for the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales.
Building Yasmar House
In 1850, Mary Louisa Ramsay, the Ramsays' eldest daughter, married Alexander Learmonth. In 1855, some roads were built through the Dobroyde Estate, including Ramsay and Dalhousie. That same year, 46 acres of the estate were given to Alexander and Mary Louisa Learmonth.
In 1856, Alexander Learmonth hired architect John Bibb to design a new house. They named it "Yasmar," which is "Ramsay" spelled backward. The house was built between 1856 and 1858. It was designed to face Parramatta Road and had a U-shape, with wings at the back for servants and service rooms.
John Bibb was a well-known architect who arrived in Australia in 1832. He designed many important buildings in Sydney. Alexander Learmonth lived at Yasmar until he passed away in 1877.
In 1860, the Dobroyde Sunday School moved to Yasmar house. In 1861, Dr. David Ramsay died. His estate was divided among his children. Sarah Ramsay, his wife, donated land for a church, school, and family burial place. This became the St David's Uniting Church precinct.
Edward Pierson Ramsay, one of Dr. Ramsay's sons, was a famous zoologist and botanist. He was very interested in plants and helped design gardens. In 1874, he became the Curator of the Australian Museum.
After Alexander Learmonth died in 1877, his wife Mary Louisa continued to live at Yasmar until 1891. In 1902, she moved out.
Yasmar's Later Uses
The Grace Family and Development
In 1901, a real estate agent named Richard Stanton bought parts of the Dobroyde Estate. He started developing Australia's first "garden suburb," which he named "Haberfield."
In 1903, Yasmar house and its land were leased to Joseph Neal Grace. Joseph and his brother Albert founded the famous department store Grace Brothers Ltd. During this time, some changes were made to Yasmar, like adding leadlight panels and "Federation" style fireplaces. Joseph Grace lived at Yasmar until he died in 1931.
In 1905, the State Government took a large part of Yasmar's land to build Haberfield School. The school opened in 1910.
Army Quarters and Children's Centre
During World War II (1940-1944), the Australian Army used Yasmar as quarters for officers.
In 1944, the remaining 6 acres of Yasmar's land were given to the NSW Department of Education. It was used to expand the Haberfield School playgrounds and to create a Children's Court. In April 1946, Yasmar house began operating as a Children's Court. A remand centre for boys who needed supervision also started on the grounds.
In 1959, a tall fence was built along Parramatta Road for the detention centre. This fence was removed in 1979. Over the years, more buildings were added to the site for the detention centre.
In the 1970s, the stables and other parts of Yasmar house were changed. In 1976, the house and gardens were recognized by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) as important.
Closure and Community Use
In 2003, the detention centre closed. The house and gardens were offered to the local council. Today, the NSW Department of Corrective Services still uses the western side of the property for training.
Community groups also use parts of the site. For example, Co.As.It, an Italian community service, uses one of the buildings. The NSW Department of Crown Lands manages the property.
Yasmar's Design and Features
The Estate and Gardens
You approach Yasmar through impressive sandstone gateposts with a ball design on top. The original iron fence is still there too. The entrance has been made wider over time.
A winding driveway leads from the gates to a circular area in front of the house. This area was designed in a style called "Gardenesque," which was popular in the mid-19th century. It has shrubs and roses planted today.
The Garden's Plants
The garden at Yasmar was created by the Learmonths and dates back to the early Victorian period. It shows the "Gardenesque" style.
The garden has many different types of plants, especially some that are native to Queensland. This is because of Edward Pierson Ramsay's interest in plants. Many rare and special trees have grown here, such as the Chilean wine palm, Bunya pines, and Moreton Bay figs.
One very rare tree at Yasmar is the palo alto tree from the Canary Islands. It's one of only a few known in Australia. Another unusual tree is the puzzle bush from South Africa. These special plants show how skilled the Ramsays and Learmonths were at gardening.
There's also an old sunken pit in the garden. Some people think it might have been an early swimming pool or a special plant house. It's now used as a sunken garden.
The House's Architecture
Yasmar house was built in the Victorian period in a symmetrical Georgian style. It's made of sandstone blocks with a slate roof. A verandah, or covered porch, goes around three sides of the house, supported by cast iron posts.
The house has French doors with shutters. Inside, the wide entrance hall has curved corners. The main rooms have large, double doors. You can see changes over time, like different door handles and fireplaces from around 1900.
At the back of the house are two service wings, which were originally for servants. These wings form a courtyard behind the main house. The original well in the courtyard is still there, now used as a garden bed.
The Stables
The stable building, where horses and carriages were kept, is still standing. It was restored in 1995.
Yasmar's Condition and Changes
Current Condition
The house was in good condition in 1999. The garden is a bit overgrown, which gives it a "romantic" feel, but it is also a bit rundown. However, both the house and garden are still very similar to how they were originally designed.
Changes Over Time
Yasmar has had three main phases of changes by its owners: the Ramsay family, the Grace family, and the government. Most of the original parts of the house and land are still there.
- 1856-1858: Yasmar House and its gardens were built.
- 1860: Four acres of land were given for a church and school.
- Around 1900: The Learmonth family made small changes to the house's inside, like adding stained glass and new fireplaces.
- 1905, 1926, 1944: Parts of Yasmar's land were taken for Haberfield School.
- 1944: The NSW Government made changes to use the house as a court.
- 1946: A remand centre for boys was built on the grounds.
- 1959: A tall corrugated iron fence was put up along Parramatta Road (removed in 1979).
- 1970s: More wings were added for the detention centre.
- 1990: The gardens were restored, and renovation work was done on the stables.
Why Yasmar is Important
Yasmar is a rare and important example of an old suburban villa with its garden still mostly intact. It's one of the few remaining large estate houses along Parramatta Road, which is Australia's oldest road.
The garden is special because it's a rare example of the "Gardenesque" style. It helps us understand how wealthy people designed their homes and gardens in the 19th century. The old trees and plants show the history of gardening practices.
Yasmar house is also important because it's a rare example of architect John Bibb's work. It's one of the only known residential buildings he designed that is still largely in its original condition. The house is a beautiful example of the Greek Revival style.
The property has strong connections to important families like the Lords, Ramsays, and Graces, who helped shape Australian society. Its use as a Sunday School and later as a Children's Court and remand centre also makes it historically significant.
Yasmar is a unique place that helps us understand the cultural and natural history of New South Wales. Its rare plants and original design make it a valuable resource for research and education.
