The poor quality of the original Sydney Government House, as well as crime and unsanitary conditions in the growing Sydney settlement convinced successive Governors of the desirability of a rural residence. In 1799 the second Governor, John Hunter, had the remains of Arthur Phillip's cottage cleared away, and a more permanent building erected on the same site. Later, starting in 1815, Governor Lachlan Macquarie and Mrs Macquarie added extensively to Hunter's structure and by 1818 their principal residence had acquired the appearance which it retains today (the building's Palladian style extensions were designed by Macquarie's aide, Lieutenant John Watts). Out buildings in the Governor's Domain include a mutilated Bath House attributed to Francis Greenway (1822), some stones from an Observatory built for Governor Thomas Brisbane (1821) and a small farm house built by George Salter in 1798 - 1806 and acquired and extended by Governor Lachlan Maquarie in 1816 for use as a dairy. The building is made from quarried sandstone and is located along the St. John River in Fredericton. The current Lieutenant-Governor resides on the third floor while the first two are open to tours. From 1896 to 1900, it served as a school for the hearing impaired, a military barracks during World War I and as a hospital after that war. From 1934 to 1988 it was the Royal Canadian Mounted Police J Division regional headquarters. "Old Government House" is furnished in the style of the early 1820s and is open to visitors. It is situated on 260 acres (1.1 km²) of parkland overlooking the Parramatta River, and is Australia's oldest public building. The grounds are of particular interest as they are a relatively undisturbed colonial-era reserve surrounded by what is now Australia's largest urban area. The practice of "firestick" land management conducted by the aboriginal Darug tribe, which once dwelt in the area, is evident from certain scars to be seen on trees still standing (their bark being removed to build canoes). Also, shells used to strengthen the mortar used in the House's construction have been found to originate from aboriginal middens.

What's On

• Ghost Tours of Old Government House Parramatta

  The Governors and their households left Parramatta in 1855, but their presence still haunts Old Government House... At night you are invited to come and explore this 212 year old Georgian mansion by candlelight! The evening commences down in the c... View Full Advert..

  Ghost Tours of Old Government House Parramatta

Disclaimer: Details may change at any time. Please check with organisers first if you are planning to attend this event. Use the links below..

Web Links

Old Government House 

www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

en.wikipedia.org

View Listings In Same Topic | View More Listings in Parramatta