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FernhillGreat Western Highway, South Bowenfels, NSW

A Conservation Policy

Prepared for the National Trust of Australia (NSW)

by Robert Moore and Meredith Walker,with

Siobhan Lavelle, Michael Lehany, Garry Wailer, and Kylie Winkworth

June, 1992 amended February, 1993

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Fernhill . A Conservation Policy

This Report is in two parts:

Part One comprises the statement of significance - which describes what is importantabout Fernhill - and a policy for its conservation, which describes the obligations to bemet in order to retain and conserve that significance, including works to the buildings.

Part Two comprises the reports on major aspects of the conservation of Fernhill.These comprise :

• BUildings

• Garden and grounds

• Rural area and setting

• Use

• Furniture and objects

• Interpretation

• Archaeology

• Appendices

They have been prepared by conservation practitioners with specialist experience inthese aspects.

The reports provide detailed information about the significance of Fernhill and itsconservation.

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Contents

Part One : Statement of Significance and Conservation Policy

1. What is Fernhill? 3

2. The significance of Fernhill................................... 7

3. Issues forthe conservation of Fernhill... 9

4. A Conservation policy for Fernhill................. 11

Part two: The Reports of Team Members

5. History............................................................................................. 16

6. Buildings 44

7. Garden and Grounds 64

8. Rural lands and setting..: 80

9. Use 92

10. Furniture and other objects......................................................... 101

11 . Interpretation. 11 4

12. Archaeology................................................................................... 120

Appendices................................................................................................ 134

Building Schedules

National Trust listing

Inventory of contents, 23 May, 1990

List of items stored at former Meteorology bUilding, Observatory Hill and at OldGovernment House

Separate volume of related sources

David Sheedy, A conservation study and analysis of Fernhill, Bowenfels for the NationalTrust of Australia, NSW, October, 1983, report

Response to the Trust's invitation for expressions of interest in Fernhill

Rachel Roxborough, Fernhill, Bowenfels, in Early Colonial Houses of New South Wales,1974, pp325-330

Rachel Roxborough and Douglass Baglin, Fernhill, Bowenfels, pp130-131


Places in the vicinity of Fernhill listed in the Register of the National Trust, 1992

Lithgow City Council, information about planning controls

Fernhill listing in Survey of Historical sites: Lithgow area, report for Department ofPlanning, 1987, Aedeen Cremin, copied from NPWS offices, Hartley.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, Visitor Guide: Hartley Historic Site, 1990

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Fernhill Conservation policy

Part One:

Statement of Significance andConservation Policy

1. What is Fernhil/? 3

2. The significance of Fernhill? 7

3. Issues for the conservation of Fernhill. 9

4. A Conservation Policy.............................................................................. 11

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1 . What is Fernhill?

Fernhill is a complex of three major bUildings, set in a garden and parcel of rural land onthe Great Western Highway at "old" (or South) Bowenfels, between Hartley and Lithgow.

Fernhill was built in the late 1850s for use as an inn - it was first known as the AustraliaArms. This use ceased in the 1860s following the introduction of the railway to Lithgow.Since then it has been used as a residence. From 1910 to the late 1940s it was used bytwo households, who shared the main bUilding but had separate kitchens and otherservice areas; for the remaining time it was occupied by one household.

Alongside the main buildings is a large garden. Part of this - in particular its form andsome of the plantings - probably dates from the mid nineteenth century when thecomplex was an inn. This garden has been used continuously, declining in the lastdecade. A major addition was made to the garden in 1940, including a dam, linked to apump and tank on the hill to the west.

The rural area is cleared with small areas of bushland, which have been extensivelyused to supply fuel for household fires. The cleared areas have been used for grazing,but have never been sufficient to totally support the household.

The ownership of Fernhill was held in the same family, until - in 1970 - one member lefther share to the National Trust. In consequence of this, and over along period, theNational Trust became the owner of the whole property, in 1982. At this time the mainbUilding was comfortably habitable, but in poor condition. In April 1988, the NationalTrust leased Fernhill for 99 years to a private company, Old Inns of NSW, but Old Innspetitioned for bankruptcy in 1990 , and was unable to fulfil the terms of the lease. Theproperty then reverted to the National Trust. Fernhill has been vacant since thedeparture of Historic Inns' caretaker.

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2. The Significance of Fernhill

Fernhill is of cultural significance:

• as an inn from the mid-nineteenth century, complete with outbuildings, its associatedgarden, grounds and rural land. Together with other inns it is a major component of thepattern of land settlement, transport and travel that characterised development along theWestern Road, from the crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1815 to the opening of therailway to Lithgow in the 1860s.

• as a group of well-constructed buildings, built as long term family investment, and withsubstantial and rare documentary evidence, and lived in continuously by thedescendants of the builder until 1970.

• for the wealth of information available about the place - through primary documents,through the recollections of the associated family, and particularly through the bUildingfabric furniture and other contents, and from the garden and grounds;

• for the assemblage of makeshift furniture, made at and for Fernhill by one of the family.Although makeshift furniture is not rare, pieces still associated with the place where theywere made and with other details of provenance, are rare in public ownership;

• for its association with major families in its district, famili~s that have been resident inthe Lithgow, Bowenfels, Hartley area from the early eighteenth century to the present,and who have a continuing association and concern about the welfare of Fernhill ;

• for its relationship with its setting, which produces a notable feature in the highwaylandscape between Hartley and Lithgow, that is free from obvious later development

Detailed information about significance is contained in the subject reports in Part Two.

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3. Issues for the Conservation of Fernhill

Fernhill needs conservation care and works undertaken in an ordered way over severalyears. Each of its components; buildings, garden and grounds, furniture, etc. needsattention both in the short and longer term.

Immediate needsFor the immediate future, over the next two - three years, the major issues or needs forthe conservation of Fernhill are:

• urgent works: the works to halt decay, and to repair the buildings and makethem habitable;

• security: the need to reduce or remove the risk to the buildings because theyare un-inhabited, and because there is no 'on-site presence';

• garden repairs and maintenance: the need to undertake maintenanceworks in the garden, including the removal of blackberries and other weeds.

• caring for the contents: the contents require cataloguing and provenancing,prior to decisions about which material is of sufficient significance to warrantretention; assistance from previous residents and other members of theMerrick family is essential;

• makeshift furniture: repair of all makeshift components, so that their value ismore apparent;

• oral history: several members of the Merrick family have detailed knowledge ofFernhill and its history, particularly,over recent decades - this is needed toassist decisions about furniture and other contents and to enable appropriateinterpretation of the property.

• interpretation: care and presentation of the building, together with limitedfurther advice about appropriate ways and means to interpret Fernhill duringconservation works and in the longer term.

Long term needsIn the longer term, beyond the next two to three years, and following the completion ofthe immediate actions, Fernhill needs:

• an occupant who will conserve all aspects of the property and its significance,including:

• continuing the works to conserve the buildings;

• undertaking works to conserve and rejuvenate the garden andgrounds (see attached plans); and

• making the property accessible to the public.

a use (or uses) which will be compatible with:

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Fernhill ConseNation policy

• allowing public access to Fernhill, either on open days, or in associationwith the use itself; .

• the present configuration of bUildings, or which requires only a modestsized structure to accommodate ancillary needs such as a garage

or

• the existing configuration of bUildings, and which may require an additionalbuilding, away from the present buildings, and beyond the stables building, to thesouth west - such a use might have the benefit of making Fernhill more accessibleand provide a more comprehensive interpretetation, than if the new building wasnot added.

The most obvious and likely use is one where the existing bUildings serve as a dwellingwith an additional use (or uses), run by the occupants, perhaps with additional workers.Possible ancillary uses include: a cafe, a retail use - such as antiques within the mainbUildings, or a craft, carpentry or other workshop use within the stables building.

The combination of occupant and use must be capable of securing the long term futureof Fernhill.

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4. Conservation Policy

General

The Fernhill group of bUildings and their setting should be conserved and used forpurposes compatible with their cultural significance.

All decisions with regard to the management of the buildings and their setting should bemade with reference to the Surra Charter, and be guided by a Conservation Plan,developed in accordance with this Policy, and formally adopted.

The exterior of the buildings should be conserved, with adaptation limited to only minorworks that are directly related to, or required for, occupation and/or use of the building soas to support its conservation, and in order to halt decay.

Use and adaptation for use of the buildings' interiors should be undertaken in a mannerwhich minimises intervention in the fabric, and which avoids the loss of evidence of thebuildings' use and occupation since their initial construction.

The gardens and grounds of Fernhill should be conserved as an important culturalsetting to the house and outbuildings, and as a component of the landscape.

All works and investigations must proceed with appropriate regard to the archaeologicalsignificance of the complex. .

The contents - furniture and other objects - are an integral part of Fernhill and inconjunction with the buildings and grounds, and documentary evidence, provide bothobligations and opportunities for interpretation.

The BUildings

The buildings should be the subject of a planned conservation exercise which seeks topreserve and retain the maximum amount of existing fabric, with a priority attached to theearlier, original fabric of the complex. Reconstruction may be undertaken where it servespractical objectives. rather than for aesthetic purposes only. Any proposals to removeevidence of the buildings' joint MerricklPeacock occupation, and the later occupation bythe Merrick Sisters must be subject to particularly careful evaluation, and dealt with interms of the recommendations of this report.

The interiors of the buildings should be conserved and may be adapted. All internalbUilding fabric of significance - details, materials, surfaces and surface finishes, shouldbe protected and conserved. Wherever possible, further adaptation should bereversible, and confined to the minimum number of locations. The overall configurationof the rooms of the buildings should remain unchanged, but reversIble partitioning of theinterior space of individual rooms is an option.

Documentation of any proposed works, and recording prior to and during conservationworks is a pre-requisite for any work to or disturbance of the buildings and grounds.

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Urgent Short-Term BUilding Works

If the Fernhill buildings are to have any future commensurate with their significance, it isimperative that the urgent maintenance works identified in this report be implemented assoon as possible. These works should include:

• the repair and reconstruction as necessary of the roofs and roof drainage systemsof the buildings.

• the introduction of a proper"stormwater collection and disposal system, includingtank stands.

• the eradication of pest infestations, with particular regard to termites, and thetaking of preventative measures.

Use of the Buildings

Uses which may be proposed for Fernhill should be evaluated in terms of theirrequirement for interference with the fabric - the less the better - and in terms of theirimpact upon the interpretation of the heritage significance of the property. Access andinterpretation for the public is essential.

It is essential that the complex has a use, however humble or even unfashionable, thatwill retain its significance and support its conservation. In assessing any proposedalteration of the fabric for a particular use, the desirability of securing a use as early aspossible must be considered.

Specific Building Works

Specific conservation that could be considered as part of a works programme are:-

• the introduction of a new kitchen, new bathroom and laundry into the mainbUilding

or

the reintroduction of kitchen use into the former kitchen of the original kitchenwing.

• the replacement of the west bathroom with a new bathroom or visitor toilets facility(between the main bUilding and the kitchen wing.)

• reconstruction and adaptation works ih the stables block, to weatherproof thebuilding and allow use of the loft.

Garden and Grounds

The present form and extent of the garden should be retained and conserved. Evidenceof the garden is shown in Michael Lehany's plan "Garden Overview".Urgent works are required to protect the garden and grounds, as set out in MichaelLehany's plan "Urgent Conservation Action Required".

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Fernhill ConseNation policy

Opportunities for the reinstatement of the garden (where there is little physical evidence),for new gardens and for activities within the gardens - such as a temporary marquee etc.- are shown on Michael Lehany's plan "Conservation and Opportunities". This plan alsoshows potential sites for new buildings in the grounds. Any new buildings will need to besited and designed to avoid any compromise of the site's significance.

The Rural Setting

The rural setting of Fernhill, retaining the boundaries of the initial 1837 land grant,should be retained and conserved. This does not involve forgoing any opportunities forsubdivision or other development.

Any changes from the present low-intensity grazing use, or the introduction of any newuses or features associated with the adaptation of the building complex, must beassessed for their impact upon the larger-scale landscape setting and cultural landscapevalue of the site in its entirety.

Furniture and Objects related to Fernhill

The furniture and other objects are a major part of the significance of Fernhill, and theypresent substantial opportunities for interpretation, in conjunction with documentary andphysical evidence. The makeshift furniture is of spE?cial value.

Interpretation of the Complex

Prominent in Fernhill's heritage significance is its obvious ability to tell its story to visitors.Its capacity to reveal its history and evolution over time means that interpretation andpublic access are essential in the conservation of Fernhill. Public access, in the contextof some new use, will best faciliate the appreciation of Fernhill's cultural values.

It is obvious that a supporting economic use might be developed around this capacity,and any use of the building for other purposes should not prejudice its futureinterpretation.

Urgent Further Research

The oral history of the property held by members of the extended Merrick family shouldbe documented. It will add to the existing resources for the intrepretation of Fernhill.

Understanding of the significance of Fernhill might be enhanced by further research intothe history and importance of inns along the Great Western Highway.

Archaeological Issues

Advice must be sought from an archaeologist when disturbance of fabric or depositscomprising part of the archaeological record of the site is to take place. Suitable recordsmust be made during such work so that the historical record of the property ismaintained.

In view of the peo attached to the property, a practical procedure must be established tothe satisfaction of the Heritage Council of NSW, so that work may proceed in an orderlyfashion and advice sought as and when necessary.

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FERNHILLBOWENFELS N.S.W.Conservation andOpportunitiesGarden and Grounds

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Fernhill Conservation Policy

Part· Two :

The Reports of Team Members

5. History............................................................................................. 16

6. Buildings 44

7. Garden and Grounds 64

8. Rura/lands and setting................................................................ 80

9. Use 92

10. Furniture and other objects......................................................... 101

11. Interpretation 11.4

12. Archaeology................................................................................... 120

Appendices 134

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Femhill Conservation Poicy

History

Siobhan LavelleArchaeologist

PO Box 42, Woodford, NSWTel (047) 58 6204

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History

Historical Outline - Fernhill, Bowenfels................................................ 16

• Historical Context - Settlement of the HartleyValley and construction of inns

• Ownership of the Property• Construction of the Buildings and Use as an Inn• Blackman-Merrick Family occupation of the

Property .• Partition of the Property, Joint Occupation by the

Peacock-Merrick Families 191 0-1950s• Use of the Property• Merrick Occupation c1960-1970• National Trust Involvement - Final Ownership of

Fernhill and conservation works

Chronology - Fernhill : 31

Summarised Blackman - Merrick family tree 34

Chain of Title, Fernhill :........................................................... 35

Some Older Photographs 36

Diagram of the Property's Division... 39

Historical Research 40• Research and Sources of Information• Is there anything more to research/learn about

Fernhill?• What are the priorities for research?

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Top: Merrick sisters with 1927 Chevrolet car. Photo takenc. 1930's with main house at rear. ( Collection Mr. John Merrick)

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Lower: Merrick : back Essie , backfront left to right, Laura (Lela). Alice, and

, HenriellaBell (Tibby)

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Ownership of the Property

The current Fernhill property" has been subject to a'particularly convolutedtransfer of land title. Although the property remained in the ownership ofinter-related families for over 120 years it was split into twomajor portions with varying shares, from 1910. The attached diagrammaticChain of Title summarises and simplifies the complex series of transactionsrepresented in title deeds for the property and its history of ownership.

The records of the Registrar General! Land Titles Office indicate that Portion36 of the Parish of Lett, County of Cook, an area of approximately 46 acresbounded on the East, Northeast, and North by the Bathurst Road, wasinitially purchased at a public auction by William Dwyer of Sydney. Theoriginal grant was issued on December 30, 1837.

Dwyer retained the property for the next 19 years. No development of theproperty is documented in this period. In 1856 the property was purchasedby John Blackman, "of Mount Clarence near Hartley, Farmer". Blackmanapparently purchased the property with the specific aim of constructing aninn adjacent to the Bathurst road.This is confirmed by a receipt in theBlackman papers dated 1854, signed by Alexander Binning for the drawingand measuring of the (proposed)"new house"(ML MSS 2620 Item 3, folio 5):

The initial Western Road constructed between Sydney and Bathurst byWilliam Cox in 1814-15 facilitated the settlement of the western districtsalthough this remained restricted until the easing of government regulationsin the 1830s. By this time several alternative road descents on the westernside of the Blue Mountains had been constructed including Lawson's LongAlley (1823), Lockyer's Line (1829) and Mitchell's new line, descending atVictoria Pass, which was opened in 1832.

As travel along the road increased, inns and other facilities were developed.These included the "Golden Fleece" or Collit's Inn at the foot of Mount Yorkfrom 1823 and the village of Hartley laid out adjacent to Mitchell's new roadin 1836. A convict stockade and a number of early inns were also erectedalongside the western road at Hassans Walls (Bowenfels) during the 1830s.

The 1850s goldrush caused a marked increase in the traffic along thewestern road and in the number of inns constructed or expanded toaccommodate the additional travellers. Although dramatic, the gold feverproved short-lived and when the railway from Sydney to Bathurst by-passedthe Hartley Valley for Lithgow in the 1870s the district, and the demand forroad-side inns, declined. Several inns subsequently became privateresidences from the 1860s onwards. The commencement of shale mining inHartley Vale and the development of the Company's private township saw abrief revival of some the district's hotels until the closure of the works in1913.

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HISTORICAL OUTLINE - FERNHILL, BOWENFELS

Historical Context - Settlement of the Hartley Valley andconstruction of Inns

History

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Construction of the Buildings and use as an Inn

The major portions of the extant Fernhill complex were constructed from1856-58.

The John Blackman papers in the Mitchell Library provide extensivedocumentation concerning the construction of the original inn complex. Thepapers include tradesmen's agreements and accounts for work completed,receipts, letters, and John Blackman's private notes concerning the progress

HistoryFemhill ConseNation Poicy

Subsequent protracted legal enquiries indicated that Eva Belle Merrick wasnot actually entitled to leave the entire property to the Trust, only able tobequeath her shares of the two portions. The issue of ownership waseventually resolved in 1982 when the remaining Merrick family interests inthe property were purchased by the National Trust. The Trust then becamethe sole owner of "Fernhill". .

John Blackman died in 1860. The terms of his will left the property initially tohis wife Elizabeth, and sUbsequently to her nephew James Peacock and hisnephew Richard Merrick.The relationship of the Blackman-Merrick families is indicated on theattached family tree. John Blackman's will specified that the beneficiaries"were not to sell or dispose ofany of his land ... it was to descend to theirlawful heirs and successors." (Book 1133,No 909).

John Blackman never lived at the inn. By the nature of the place, itssubstantial buildings and from the terms of his will, it is clear that heregarded it as a substantial and long term family investment.

These terms ultimately resulted in the division of the property into a Peacockfamily portion (south half) and a Merrick family portion (north half) by Deed ofPartition in 1910. The attached plan shows the partition of the property,which resulted in equitable but unusual boundaries. The creation of aboundary through the centre of the main buildings meant that relatively littlealteration was possible without the agreement of the owners of both portionsof the property. This constraint appears to have contributed to the"intactness" of the major buildings throughout the twentieth century.

In 1918 the Merrick portion passed to the, daughters of Richard Merrick - MrsAda Riddell, Mrs Essie Brown and the Misses Henrietta, Alice, Eva andLaura Merrick. The last child of James Gowan Peacock to live at "Fernhill",Miss Elizabeth May Peacock, died in 1945. In 1952 the Peacock portion ofthe property was purchased by the Merrick sisters. The last of the Merricksisters living at Fernhill died in 1970.

In a will made four days before her death, and not discussed with otherfamily members, Miss Eva Belle Merrick directed that her home, 'Fernhill' atSouth Bowenfels,"be made as a gift to the National Trust ofAustralia, together with five (5)acres of land ...[including] all outbuildings such as the old stone stables... Thecontents of my home and personal effects shall be disposed of at thediscretion of the executor of my estate. "


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and costs of the work. The degree of detail in the documents is remarkablenot only for Fernhil/ itself but also as a wider record of the materials,tradesmen and construction of the period. Some extracts from the Blackmanpapers follow in order to give an indication of the range and nature of thismaterial.

The first reference to actual construction of buildings on the present Fernhillproperty (as opposed to the 1854 reference to plans of an intended newbuilding) occurs in 1856. A letter dated 28/7/1856 from Mr J W Gooch ofSydney to John Blackman, Bathurst Road, Near Bowens Fells Hartley, readsin part: (ML MSS 1298, Folio 107b)

"Dear Sir,{I said to ?} you about six weeks since when I met you on the road betweenHartley and your house that I could find you a Tenant if you were disposed totake a fair rent. I should like you to let me know the lowest figure for rent _when the house will be completed, and when you think you can givepossession-the gentleman whom I have in view is quite competent toconduct the house as a first r.ate Hotel...1have no doubt he will make it pay ... "

HistoryFemhill ConseNation PoicyIIIIIII'IIIIIIIIIIIII

£402. 19.

£1813. 13.

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ML MSS 2620, Item 3, Folio 3:Memorandum of monies paid to Builder

Building WallsFlaggen and 1/2 Partition WallingChimney & Partition Wall

up to 28th Sept 1856JB

ML MSS 2620, Item I, p 58-59:-Amount of Monies Paid for New House{Expense of New House up to March 1858}

Foundation DiggingShinglesShinglingCarpenter &RoofingSawn Timber(Ditto)Paid MasonsFlagging VerandahFlaggen PassageHearth & BrickWork PartitionBricksSawn TimberNails ------LeadChimney Piece500 Bricks Lime11 000 Laths 3/6IronmongeryOils & PaintsLaying Floorat 26/- per squarePaid CarpenterSawn Timber from SydneySashesDoorsLabour forMen & Teams

Carried Up

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£ s327 5.176 17.

8.78 4.

£ s9 0

4756

82181

9482

75

353540

402087 10.11

25

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History

Femhill Conservation Poticy

ML MSS 2620, Item 2, p 6b:-Expense of Erecting Stable at New House

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First Measurement(? cut for foundations ?)

Sawn timber70 Square of Roofing

----- s am eSawn timber for Roof and StableMangers, etc.Also -----------------------Mr Gillam for Sawn TimberMr Burton ShinglesOne Stable-Blacksmith's BillTeams drawing materialPavingShingle 14,000

148.

36.17.29.

9.2.11.

453

14100

114

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1 .10.10.7.

History

3 1/2

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Febuary 6 henery 6 days Self 5 and 1/2 days 4.5.0

Do. to 13 6 days Each 4.10.0

Do. to 20 henery 1 day Self 5 days 2.15.10

Do. to 27 Self 6 Dayes 3.0.0

March 6 Self 4 and 1/2 Days henery 1 day 2.10.0

64.14.9

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-to Days each Sawing and making doar frames1.10.0

2620, Item 3, p 12:-Mr John Blackman Dr. 'to George Bartlett

1.7.3

£ s d7 15 03 and 1/2 Dayes Repearing I-lindos

Going to Sydney

fixing Joice and laying Down twentyfour Square of floaring at 1.5.0.per Square

30.0.0

2 days Each fixing Joice putting intrimmer joice and fixing for Staiers 1.15.0and Coller Bracing for the Rafters

Self and Son 14 and 1/2 days SawingStuds and Doar frames and fixing upthe same to four Rooms at 15.0 per day 10.17.6

ML MSS

1858Jany 14

1857Decr 31

Do. 16

Do.

Do.30

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ML MSS 2620, Item 3, p 29:-1859 Mr J BlackmanJuly 2nd to H Burton

ML MSS 2620, Item 2, p 8:Memorandum

Henry Burton Carpenter has agreed to Perform the followingwork for Mr Blackman of Hartley at his Residence [?j to Laythe joist and prepare and Lay the flooring Required in theBuilding now erecting at the Rate 25/- per Square ... ToRoof and shingle the Same and make 5 Door frames and Doorsfor the Same Ledged and hang the ,Same also 4 Window Framesat the rate of 28/- per square of Shingling. The Same mayinstance Mr Blackman providing all materials for the samewhich the said Mr Blackman has Agreed.(signed) H J Burton

May 21, 1859.

£ s dFeb 3rd To making five pairs sashes at11/- per pair 2. 15

28th To making sign board 1 . O.Mar 4th To making steps to Loft 3. O.

5th To making small sign board - 8. -

Mar 11th To preparing and fixing Sign post - 15.-

26th To -fixing sofas - 4. -28th To putting six chairs together - 6. -

Ap. 23rd To fitting up Two stables at £14 each 28.0.-

30th To making and hanging six doors at13/- each 3.18. -

May 7th To fitting up water closets 2.5.To making Kitchen table -15.-

£43.6.0

History

1.16.62.0.1.0.0

£ s d125. O. 0

40. O. 012.10. 02.7

194.13

ML MSS 2'620, Item 3, p 35:-


Bowling

By Painting HouseBuilding KitchenTankCutting down DoorwayMaking good after CarpenterPutting on lead round ChimneyFixing round Skirting after Carpenterto. making Arches in Hall


•

24

Sawyers - J Macdonald, H Gillam, G Bartlett.

Stonemasons - Michael Maly (or Mealy), Walker, G. Pearse

Brickmakers - John Stone, M. Corderoy.

Plasterer - Joseph Bowling

Painter/Glazier - John Ashlin, Frederick Weigh


Bricklayer - Joseph Bowling.

Carpenters - George and Henry Bartlett, Henry Burton,George James Havard, J McDonald.

The detail recorded in the Blackman papers enables fairly precise dating ofthe construction of the components of the inn complex. The main house(inn)was substantially complete by January 1858, although final details included"fitting up a Bar Room" by George Havard in August 1858. The kitchen wasconstructed from April 1858 to February 1859. The stable block /coachhouse was commenced in May 1858 and completed by January 1859.The privy was apparently fitted out with water closets in May 1859.

The Blackman papers also include a lease document and a receipt dated 9December 1859. The property was initially leased by Mr J A Salmon on thefollowing terms:

" 1. To take a lease of the House for 10 yearson condition that I can throw it up at any timeby giving Mrs Blackman or her agents twelvemonths notice. The rent to be £80 per annum.

2. For to him the (possibility?) for Re-letting the Houseif I think proper.

General bUilding/Roof Shingling - George Bartlett.

Other general work including fencing - G Stonebridge.

Although much material was obtained locally, other items including rose anddouble shingle nails came from Iredale and Co. General Ironmongers,Sydney. Cedar, kauri, deal and pine boards, skirtings and mouldings weresupplied by Broomfield and Whittaker, timber merchants of the Albion Wharf,Market Street, Sydney.

The tradesmen's agreements and accounts, of which examples are givenabove, indicate that the work was paid for both in cash and kind, includingrations "at the Usual Store Prices" and leases of portions of Blackman'sother land holdings in the Hartley Valley. The extant accounts andagreements identify the following tradesmen as contractors for the bUildingof the complex:

IIIIII

'(I

IIIIIIIIIIIII

25

Blackman-Merrick Family Occupation of the PropertyLate 19th to Early 20th Century

The inn was licensed as the "Australia. Arms" at Blackman's Gap, nearBowenfels. In 1859, Salmon received timber and other goods includingfurniture, ironmongery, blankets, damask and a tapestry from Sydney.Salmon did not keep his lease a$ by 1862, the inn was being kept by a MrFrancis Corveth. In 1866 the inn was licensed to Lawrence Moore as the"Australia Inn", Blackman's Gap. During 1867-1870 it was licensed to JacobRussart as the "Australian Arms". In 1872-73 it was licensed to SamuelWainwright. It appears from t.he available records that this was its last yea'r ofoperation.

Once the inn ceased operating Mrs Elizabeth Blackman,widow of JohnBlackman who had been living on the family's "Rosedale" property in theHartley Valley, moved into the house. By 1877 the former inn had been renamed "Fern Hill House". She continued to live at "Fern Hill" in the latenineteenth century and was joined in about 1889 by Richard Merrick and hisfamily who had also previously been living at "Rosedale". In 1901, ElizabethBlackman died at the family's station "Nugal" on the Castlereagh River,south of Walgett.

It appears that although John Blackman's will divided the property into equalshares,the Peacock family were not able to claim their share of the propertyuntil after the death of his niece, Elizabeth Peacock (wife of Richard Merrick)in 1908. Members of the Merrick family, the daughters of Richard Merrick,continuously occupied Fernhill for most of the twentieth century.

History

(ML MSS 2620, Item 3, p 46).

3. Mrs Blackman is to have a small tankproperly Bricked or Stoned in the usual wayand to procure good water for the use oftenants of the house.

4. To have the Roofing thoroughly repaired andmade Water tight.

6. To put a good and Substantialdoor to the Coach House.

7. To put a good and substantial palingfence around the garden.

8. To put the House and out-door buildings in thoroughgood repair. "

Femhilf ConseNation Poicy

5. To have in the Main House & Stairs boardedover hed [sic.] and make a loft with doorEntrances to both.

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'I:1

IIIIIIIIIII

26

Partition of the Property, Joint Occupation by the Peacock andMerrick Families 1910 - 1950s

1 These descendants are:Phyllis Merrick; and John and Pat Merrick2 Surviving Merrick descendants may be able to assist with theidentification of perso~s in these photographs. Ideally the materialremoved from "Fernhill" in 1983 should be returned to the Merrickfamily.

" ... Around the house neat gravelled paths run between clipped Laurels andlilac bushes, and the wooden pillars of the stone-flagged verandah aretwined with Virginia creeper. Flagstones also pave the hall which runs thewidth of the wide house dividing it into two long rows of rooms which havetheir many-paned windows sunk in thick walls. Above attic windows in a rowpeep from the steeply pitched roof which is covered with iron.If you peer upward at the boxed eaves, however, you will see where the old

grey shingles show a little beneath.

HistoryFemhifl Conservation Poicy

The terms of John Blackman's will were finally realised when a Deed ofPartition, which divided the property into two equal shares known as"Peacock's Portion" (south) and "Merrick's Portion" (north) was executed in1910. It appears that the ancillary timber buildings constructed at the rear ofthe main house relate to this division and the need to provide services forthe Peacock half of the property. These buildings appear in photographsdated c1925-1930. A photograph of several members of the Merrick ·familytaken between 1908 and 1914, shows the plantings and creepers along thefront elevation in a more mature state and a more elaborate timber picketfence along the road boundary.

In addition to the ancillary buildings, the c1925-1930 photographs also showthe development of formally laid out and planted gardens on both sides(north and south) of the main building. These gardens include gravel paths,garden edging, bulbs, roses, clipped shrubs and wistaria along the frontverandah. By 1930, the value of Fernhill as an historic property began to berecognised, with an article published in the "Sydney Mail" (November 26,1930, P 46 I held Merrick Family Papers). Despite a number of inaccuracies,this article provides two further photographs of the environs of the property.A mature Acacia and several' mature Pines are shown. The area on thenorthern side of the main building is also shown extensively cleared andapparently used as pasture for stock. The formal gardens are confined to theimmediate vicinity of the building. The accompanying text of the articledescribes Fernhill as follows:

From the late nineteenth century onwards a number of photographs of theFernhill property are available. Most of this material is held in the Merrickfamily papers retained by descendants of Richard Merrick and descendantsof William John Merrick.1 Other material from this collection held by theNational Trust consists primarily of photographs of family members very fewof which are identified.2 A photograph c. 1890 - 1900 of the front(northwestern) elevation of the main building shows a simple but formalgarden at the front of the house, some larger plantings to the north and theinitial establishment of creepers along the verandah. A simple timber splitpaling fence separates the house from the Bathurst Road.


27

The dual occupation of the property in this period was fairly intense andresulted in several people residing within the main house. Occupants of therooms/areas of the house included:

3 Based on discussions with Mr John Merrick4 In fact "Fernhill" has not proved viable as a property in its ownright. Initially it was intended to generate income as an inn,subsequently it formed only 46 acres of total holdings in the HartleyValley of about 2,000 acres with additional 'out-stations'. In thePeacock-Merrick period were also other sources of income.

'" At the rear of Fern Hill House the red brick kitchens have iron bars to thewindows ... The partly ruinoUs roof of grey shingles still remains on this oldpart of the bUilding. Beside the house where the present tenant has hergarden so neatly laid out (and never have I seen finer anemones than shegrew there) was at one time the kitchen garden of the inn.... At Fern Hill House John Blackman's great-nieces showed me familyportraits of those far-gone days. There were severe ladies with bunches ofcurls under their marvellous caps, lockets chained about their necks, andcut-jet bracelets clasped on their haughtily curved wrists. ... There weregentlemen with enormous side-whiskers... Their cravats were a caution, andtheir top-hats were beyond praise and above admiration. " ...


Use of th~ Property

Despite. the formal partition in 1910 and the subsequent dual occupation, thetwo portions of the property were always run in a combined fashion. Therural land was used for relatively low-intensity activities, principally grazing.Stock included sheep, horses, milking cows, and also chickens and ducks.These activities were largely organised by Lela and Eva Belle ("Tibby")Merrick. Although they helped to provide necessities, they did not produceincome.4 The other sisters, Alice and Henrietta ("Tut"), and later Essie (whoreturned to the property during the 1950s) also operated a florist anddressmaking shop in Main Street, Lithgow. This business completed fancywork inclUding wreaths and also carried out clothing repairs.

Prior to the purchase of a 1927 Chevrolet'car, the sisters operating thebusiness would walk over Hassans Walls into Lithgow at the beginning ofthe week, returning to Fernhill at weekends. The extensive gardenscommenced in the 1930s also helped supply the florist shop. The dam on

Peacock Portion (East end)During 1930s Sophia Donohue and her two sons at rear (A5-A7); ElizabethPeacock using fibro "sunroom" and the two parlours (A4, A3, A21). Bothusing timber outbuildings.

Merrick Portion (West end)Ada Riddell and family using parlour, and middle room with rear attics (A2,AB, A17, A19).Other sisters all using lounge room (bar - A1), servery (A10) and front attics(A16, A15) although Alice, Henrietta and (later) Essie were usually awayduring the week.3


28

spersonal communication John and Pat Merrick

Merrick Occupation c1960 - 1970

6 This date of death confirmed by Title deeds.


the northern side of the property (Merrick Portion) was constructed in 1940,and it appears likely that this additional supply was created to ensure theproductivity of the gardens.

In addition to the gardens, other developments during the dual occupationincluded the construction of a new front fence using stone obtained from theruins (kitchen block ?) of the "Rosedale" homestead during the 1930s. Aniron garage was constructed on the Peacock p'ortion after purchase by thefamily of a motor car. A shed and chicken run was also situated on thisportion near the timber outbuildings. An unusual development was thecreation of a 9 hole golf course in the southeast corner of the propertyadjacent to the main road. This was installed by Elizabeth Peacock for theuse of her nephew Bill Donohoe, who was a champion golfer, and wasmaintained by John Merrick. The course featured sand greens and 2 feethigh fences to keep the sheep out.s

In 1952, the Merrick sisters living in half of the main building purchased the"Peacock portion" thereby holding both of the separate titles to the property.Family members advise that this occurred following the death of MissElizabeth May Peacock in 1945.6 However it is not clear exactly when thesisters occupied the whole property. Sheedy (1983) states that the lastPeacock descendant to live in " Fernhill" died in 1959.

After their purchase of the Peacock Portion, the surviving unmarried Merricksisters and the two widowed sisters were the sole occupants of Fernhill fromc1960 -1970. Mrs Ada Riddell (nee Merrick) died in 1960, Mrs Essie Brown(nee Merrick) died in 1969. Henrietta and Eva Belle Merrick died only fivedays apart, Henrietta on 10 October 1970 and Eva on 15 October 1970. Byher will dated 12 October 1970, Eva Merrick intended to bequeath theFernhiJI property to the National Trust. Initial National Trust knowledge of theproperty appears to date from 1966 when it was inspected by member's ofthe Women's Committee.

National Trust Involvement - Final Ownership of Fernhill andConservation Works

As outlined above, due to a complex series of legal and land titletransactions Miss Eva Belle Merrick was not actually entitled to leave theentire Fernhill property to the Trust. Nevertheless, in obtaining her shares inthe property the National Trust became the owner of a majority interest,comprising one entire half and 1/6 share of the other half. In the 1970s theTrust apparently aimed to consolidate its interest in the property with the

. hope of securing the bUilding in (its own) sympathetic ownership sensitive tothe needs of such a significant property.

IIIIII

fIIIIIIIIIIIIII

29

7 Letter dated 13/12/82 from D Sheedy to Assistant Director,Properties.

The previous Trust Executive then decided to lease the property, subject toconditions including completion of a Conservation Plan and an undertakingto restore and develop the property by completion of appropriate works. On14 April 1988 Fernhill was leased to Old Inns of NSW Pty Ltd for 99 years,expiring on April 13, 2087. The National Trust received approximately

During the early 1970s the vacant house suffered a series of break-ins androbberies which resulted in the loss of a number of important items from theproperty. An inventory of furniture was prepared in 1970. Various file notesalso indicate the presence of furniture and other items, such as paintings.The contents of the Fernhill were not specifically left to the Trust and theexact fate of much of the material present at the property in the 1970s and1980s is not clear, although some items were removed by members of theMerrick family.

HistoryFemhill Conservation Poicy

A Merrick descendant was subsequently installed as a sympathetic tenantwhilst the legalities were further investigated. The Trust formally recognisedthe heritage significance of Fernhill by listing it in the Register in 1975. Theproperty was also nominated for an Interim Conservation Order on thegrounds that the split ownership might result in unsympathetic treatment ofthose portions of the property not owned by the National Trust. In 1979, theTrust Council authorised the expenditure of up to $25,000 for purchase ofthose shares of Fernhill not held by the Trust. By 1980, frustrated with thelack of progress in consolidating the title and finalising the Ownership issue,the Trust management contemplated the sale of the property even thoughthe Trust held the major interest. No other member of the Merrick family heldsufficient equity in the property to be able to purchase the Trust's share.

In 1982, The National Trust finally purchased the other shares in theproperty for a total of $42,000 and became the sole owner of "Fernhill". In1983, some urgent stabilisation and conservation works on the property, (inparticular the out-buildings) were undertaken partially funded by grantmonies from the National Estate. This work was supervised by Mr DavidSheedy and Mr Colin Crisp. Sheedy's Conservation Analysis report wasprepared at this time. Photographs taken at this time show a large number ofartefacts of various kinds in the stables and elsewhere in the grounds of theproperty. Some additional material was also removed from the property anddeposited at the Trust Head Office. The exact location of many artefacts andother material known to exist" as recently as 1983 could not be determinedduring the present investigation.

During the mid to late 1980s the interest of the National Trust managementin Fernhill lapsed and the impetus provided by the initial conservation workswas lost. Despite comments from the project architect in 1982 concerningwhite-ant damage to the roof of the main house no further works wereundertaken by the Trust at "Fernhill".7 Despite the commencement of amajor restoration and interpretation programme for the Bicentennialcelebrations in 1988, money was directed towards the conservation of otherproperties in the Trust portfolio, including several more recently acquiredthan "Fernhill".

IIIIIII,I

IIIIIIIIIIII

•

30

The history of Fernhill outlined above is summarised in the followingchronology.

8 Lease X770297. See National Trust "Fernhill" Property Files(Current - Administration). Pers. comm. John Merrick.

In 1989 a new administration was appointed to the National Trust. AProperties Task Force was established to consider the situation of allNational Trust Properties. In its report, the Task Force recommended thecompletion of a conservation study for Fernhill of which this document nowforms a part. In the overview of the physical state of the Trust's properties,Fernhill was the only property identified as being in a state of 'severedeterioration'.


$165,000 for the purchase of this lease. Although some work wasundertaken on the grounds, including clearing of blackberry infestations, nomajor action was initiated on the bUilding8.

The lessee proved unable to comply with the terms of the lease and filed forbankruptcy on April 19,1990. The National Trust then took possession of theproperty. It was not until March 1991, that the lease was formally written offthe Certificate of Title ( thereby enabling the possible re-leasing or sale ofthe property in the future).

IIIIII

;1IIIIIIIIIIIII

-IIIIIIJI

IIIIIIIIIIIII

Femhill ConseNation Poicy History

Chronology Fernhill

1837 Original grant issued to William Dwyer forPortion 36, Parish: Lett, County: Cook.

1856 Portion 36 purchased by John Blackman.

1856-58 Inn complex (now "Fernhill") constructed.Initial complex includes inn, stables, privy andkitchen block.

1859 Inn, the "Australia Arms" opens. First licenseeMr J A Salmon.

1860 Death of John Blackman. Buried family cemetery,"Rosedale", Hartley Vale.

1873 Last licensee of inn, Mr S Wainwright.

187? Mrs Elizabeth Blackman occupies the property.Known as "Fern Hill Hou·se" by 1877.

c1889 Richard Merrick and Family occupy "Fernhill".(previously living on "Rosedale" property) .

1901 Mrs Elizabeth Blackman dies at the "Nugal"Station Property on the Castlereagh River.

1910 Deed of Partition. Fernhill is divided intoPeacock Portion (southern half) and MerrickPortion (northern half) .

? . Construction of additional timber outbuildingsand services for the separate portions of theproperty.

c1930s Construction of iron garage on Peacock portion.

c1934 New stone fence placed on front boundary. Stoneused from ruins of "Rosedale" property.

1940 Construction of Dam (spring-fed) in paddock andenlargement of the garden.

c1950 Construction of new bathroom between the kitchenwing and the main building, and 'moving' thekitchen to the main building.

1952 Purchase of Peacock Portion by Merrick sisters.

1966 Blackman Family papers discovered in attic.Lodged in Mitchell Library by Rachel Roxburgh.Apparently first National Trust involvement withthe property - a Women's Committee inspection.

1970 Death of last surviving daughters of RichardMerrick, Henrietta and Eva Belle.

31

Femhill ConseNation PoicyIIIIII

1970

1970s

History

will of Eva Belle Merrick leaves her shares ofthe property to the National Trust.Various other shares in the Merrick Portion stillowned by Merrick descendants and deceasedestates, administered by the Union FidelityTrustee Company.

Vacant house suffers break-ins and robbery. Theftof family portraits, silver, crockery and otherartefacts. Not all recovered.The contents of the property were notspecifically bequeathed to the National Trust byEva Belle Merrick, but were to be disposed of byher Executor. Some items removed from theproperty.

I1IIIIIIIIIIIII

1975 Fernhill given a Classified listing in theNational Trust Register.

c1976 Merrick descendant, Mrs Dawn Murray, becomestenant whilst legal situation regarding ultimateownership of the property is resolved.

c1978 National Trust applies for Interim ConservationOrder. ICO No 142, 21/3/1978.

1982 Permanent Conservation Order No.225, 22/7/1982

1982 National Trust purchases remaining shares in theproperty for $42,000 (contract dated 16/11/1982) .

1982 Truck accident· 19/11/1982 damages front verandah,"sleepout" and part of stone front fence.Rebuilt during subsequent conservation works.

1983 Conservation works undertaken at Fernhill usingNational Estate grant. Works included:Urgent stabilisation/partial rebuilding of walls,and re-roofing of Stables, Kitchen and Privy.

1983 Additional Merrick/Peacock family artefacts andpapers removed from Fernhill (~Boxes). Not allmaterial was able to be found at the Trust.

c1988-91 National Trust completes lease of Fernhill toOld Inns of Australia. Existing Tenants asked toquit. Lesee goes bankrupt & property reverts toNational trust.Fernhill vacant.

1989 New administration appointed to National Trust.

1990 Executive Director forms Properties Task Forceto examine the property management of the entireNational Trust organisation. Task forcerecommends conservation policy report, andidentifies the building as being in a state of 'severe deterioration.

32

----1Fe:;:ce.(~"b:3>;~4;=:);n=:::;:=1rr==~ _

II II I

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History

TO

$1'1<1J.l.-e.~ ~

CQ"'CHt\o~ (H3'5"~-5')

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-'I


- -- - - - - -- - - - --=--- .~... - - - .. --SUMMARISED BLACKMAN - MERRICK FAMILY TREE

JAMBS BLACKMAN, (1759 - 1842) married ELIZABETH HARLEY, (e.l771 -1842)

-.. arrived NSW "Canada", 1801.

Ml\R'I'Hi\b.1813

t.·.... : _. •.r....· 0

ROBERTb.1811

r.?. J..... ,. , ••f .:., r:' , .

GEORGEb.1809

HENRIE'ITAb.1807m. HiIliam,

Merrick

MARY ANNb.1803

vlILLIAMb.1799

JAMESb.1792

SAMUELb.1788

JOHN ELIZABETH1795-1860 b.1798

m. El i zabe th+,2 Pe!',,;'.:" :' : ~ -,_ o! •./-" •t----· Mor~i~ I Iq.. , ,. .~:.

1/2 Share in "Fernhill" 1/2 Share in "Fernhill" passes Ipasses to her to his nephew .----------ItD>~RICHARD MERRICK (d.1914)nephew m. Elizabeth Peacock (d .1908)Jarnes Peacock

. ;• -., ,., ",' :' I ,"., - "

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Laura.BerniceLelab.1890d.19<l6

-YEva ;-Belleb.1888d.1970

EssieMurielb.1885d.1969ILBROWN

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May Ernestb.1877 b.1879 b.1881 b.1883d.1956 d.1954 d.1970 d.1970

George

b.1875d.1887

RichardHarleyb.1872d.1947

JessieAnneb .1870d.1894

ArthurJamesb.1869d.1939

YlilliamJolmb.1867d.1937

AdaHariab.1866d.1960M.RIDDELL

/~::':. ~, ':".~"::(...; ·: .. ·..r -:,.: .:r! .. : I

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I Femhill ConseNation Poicy History

1/2 SK1AE _

"NE!l1\ICJ:· S 70JtTIOJ(

toRICHARD HERRICK

thnnc1 toW'llHa/ll John Kerrick

'Ib0l". Hflrrlck"rthur Jalll". "ordck

Richard Uulqy H_crickAlb.,rt Ernost K.,rrickAI1c~ Hay H-rrick

Ad.!. Haria A.ldd~ll(Herr.1ck)

".-nri.tta Mud.1 HerrickEul. Mudnl Henick

Laura. Bermc,", Lela H4rrickEv." Belle Hflrnck

(AS TElLUlTS 11l COHHONl

Con.1trucclon of inn,l1C" -Fert1hUJ- HH-S8Dq4th ot J Blacbo!"'n 18~O

Dc4th ot E Pl"c~.sn UOJ

30 Oec: 1837Cll~ CfWft

(Port ion 361to

WILLIAH JOSEPROWYER

RCO.R""11i~t.r ot 1='"rch'l~I!:J

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toJAHES PEACOClt

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r.""'in r~ftceck

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(AS Te:wrrs 111 c:o:1HON)

IU Jun 1710 I

RCO; Old sy~c~ Tttlc~ Dew OF ('IMTITtOH

Book "I Ho 9':4 L-_I"_'_"rnh__UT1_"_""_1I_t_l---,

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Old sY"Cl!/II rJ.tl~~ JOHN B:;ClI.XA.HBook. 4J No ':98 L-__.,...__-'

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16 I}ct :.110 IWILL

Evtl Bell .. "",crick

lo.v". wrerr.hiUWI(hor 1/2 sh4n ~,

thQ prop.cty)to

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". la.t suc,.·ivitlO' Jalntten",nt tttlJowln,

ojf}4th. oC har sutllrs.

I"CO.

Iold S'YJltEh'ft :"ICluBook Jnl No 104

IIIIIIII

14 Auq U~2

CONVn'AHCZP,ulcock·. Port1on

to1.11ee May HorrlckHflQrlottll !(.rc'lc:ke..l. Kurhl Br~Eve, S_ll. HerrJck

(TENANTS IN C'CIfHI::W

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CONVEYANce;IJnlon Fid1lity

toU"tion",l 1'rJ_t

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RGO,Old Sy:.t_ Tltle.;tBook JJ:JS No 4S0

I2: Jun U18CONV£YAHCE:

Herrlck·s Portionto

Ad.. Ho.da Rldd.dlAlic. May Kel:rickHenri..ttll KernckE.al"" Mud.! Brown

(nH KerrlckJEv. 2.11. M.trick

RC(). TENANtS IN CCHHONOld SY.sCenI T1tJ.JI _ EQUAL StlARES

Book JJJ3 No 'O'L-_-'-~I'-__.J

DVoni er .'.Lt. JoI:JT ~ANTS:

" H KOt'C1Ck d.l'!t4,A H ;Udd~ll d.~9'60.

t K Br~ d.l']';9,H ~-t'rlck d..I97G.

£: B ""'t't'u:k 01.1310HERRICl\·~ rcRTION SPLITS

IN'ro m,).REG IlFJ.o flYDECEASED £Sli\n:.C;. 111f'.sE "DHWt~fD

BY nlE: UNION FIOOrn ntUSTE:£ co.

16 oc:t 1910 IWILL

EVil ~11. Kecrickle4ve_ ·Fernhill· I(h~c 1/~ 5h4t'~ ofK~rr1ck Poction) I

toThe Hilt-lend Tru.t i

I

pr,l).

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III

2 JlIn 19152COIfSOLIDATIOH or TITLE

Both 1/2 Sl4r_. cOOll.b1ned. 1nt.oSlnO'I. Torrmu Tit1.

Owned by Union f1d.l1ty0.00 H."tlona.l Ttuat

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tlot.lon.al~rcha....'I fklion Fld.. hty Truat~ t:o. '.

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35

Fernhill 1925 - 1930 Menick family collection

Men'ick family ,",VJll,",'.U",,,

Fern h ill photographs

Fernhill 1



Fernhill photographs

Femhill c 1890-1900

Femhill ] 19

Men'ick family collection

•

II Fernhill photographs

II

1,,<

IIIII

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j-vllll .. ,l,. .. /I 11111 "I tI,,~ '- _.• L.ll";

I Fernhill 1930 Sydney Mail Menick family collection

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UPO!te

:'l,emIII theD1l.CIc.nstructltup 11:halllb,\J..,;n.)~,

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ahoWIdays,of Cll

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had hls ccould"l

y

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TIlE ACACIA TREE AT FERN IllLL.

Sydney Mail Men-ick family collectionFernhill 1930

U'1OlllJ 'sense.' bUL' wc'~lilld1:i loo /l1uch JH:e~;-'~-:.,I. I" #

this point the wlndhe lllo:>l arid Ii.tn:l<'llussed, Nothing livesO!"the poorer CIMS,terice on dehydrated,rcosl biscUits, which';;.after a bush fI re,ICY, hurry about lher dosing their IilekI "to remark; "'Ponwith Its thoughtless

everywhere, Myter thc luxuries l1e~r1ch" blllouli f wos1;150 on," Oh. TCS.)'make them blld-

-..... tU.l <~;. -nc'lLIdc'oc":'"

er thnt fruIt treesly other site would;ter-for the fruIt;C,_ot : trrQwth, tht'ch'.•:"Well - maturedne-sided In:, for one manbere' are&1x*,~ thb Is." II ,Imporlanceand whel'c tn~(,-C:ll!ll"'f'

I

II

II

II

I

I38

FemhiII ConseNalion Poicy

Diagram of the property's division

c (

"h

40

Primary Sources

Major Secondary Sources

- Registrar General/Land Titles Office (property ownership).

HistoryFemhilf Conservation Poficy

Research and Sources of Information

Historical research

- Merrick Family Papers, Private Collection, held bydescendants of Richard Merrick (some duplicate materialfrom Blackman Family Papers, additional accounts, privateletters, manuscripts. Photographs of family members andFernhill mostly dating from the early 20th century) .

- State Archives Office,Publican's Licenses, (Aa Reels 505966). Card Index of Licensees 1853-62, Lists of Licenseesfrom Government Gazette 1866-1910 (both are incomplete) .

- National Trust Records, Head Office. Fernhill PropertyFiles and files / papers from the Trust solicitor. TitleDeeds and survey plans. Photographic material includingpart of the Merrick family collection removed in 1983.

- Mitchell Library, Manuscript Collection, ML MSS 1298 andML MSS 2620. John Blackman Papers, 1825-1869; 1855-1877;(extensive material relevant to the construction of"Fernhill", including tradesmen's agreements and accounts) .

Historical research undertaken for the purposes of the current project hasconcentrated on those sources most likely to contain relevant informationconcerning the Fernhill property. The historical outline presented drawsprimarily from t~e following documentary material:

- Disucssions with Merrick descendants, Mrs Phyllis Merrickand Mrs Dawn Murray' (nee Merrick), Mr John Merrick and MrPat Merrick.

- R Roxburgh, "Fernhill, Bowenfels" Early Colonial Housesof NSW, Ure Smith, Sydney, 1974, p 325 - 330.

- D Sheedy, A Conservation Study and Analysis of'Fernhill', Bowenfels for the National Trust of Australia(NSW), unpublished report, October, 1983.

- "Fernhill - Outline History", typescript prepared by NoelMerrick and others 1983.Copy held by Mr John Merrick.

The material outlined above although comprehensive, does not represent allpossible sources. The primary constraint on the research undertaken hasbeen the bUdgetary allocation and consequent time available. In particular,no detailed early maps or plans of the property have been located. The


41

The types of additional material which may contribute to furtherunderstanding of the Fernhill property are considered below:

Documentary researchDuring this study very few maps or plans of the property have been located.The records of the Lands Department (historical maps) and the Map

9 Sheedy (1983) includes a copy of the original subdivision plan forPortion 36, dated 1837.10 Given the age of some descendants, this research should be given ahigh priority.


records of the Lands Department (historical maps) and the Map Collection ofthe Mitchell Library were not examined.9

Although mentioned in the Blackman Papers, the plans of Fernhill preparedin 1854 do not ·form part of the collection. It is possible that these plans werelodged with the original licensing records for the inn and they may yet cometo light. The oral history of the Merrick occupation of the property, stillavailable from numerous descendants, may also yield further information ifsystematically recorded.1o The Blackman family were notable pioneers ofthe Lithgow-Mudgee area and additional material, including familyphotographs, is understood to be held in the collections of the Lithgow andDistrict Historical Society and at the NPWS Hartley Historic Site. Thesecollections were not examined for the purposes of this report.

Research concentrated on sources considered most likely to containrelevant information concerning "Fernhill". This included primary sourcematerial in the major public repositories of the Registrar General/Land TitlesOffice, the Mitchell Library (John Blackman Papers), National Trust recordsand files, and the State Archives, as well as some of the Merrick FamilyPapers (held by various Merrick descendants) and discussions withmembers of the Merrick family. Obvious secondary sources were alsoutilised, including published descriptions of the property and previousreports completed for the National Trust.

Is there anything more to research / learn about Fernhil/?

It is unlikely that further research or the discovery of additional documentarymaterial, will substantially alter the understanding of the history of theproperty or of the nature and degree of significance of "Fernhill".

The research completed during the current study is considered sufficent toprovide proper understanding of the history of the property and to enable aninformed assessment of its cultural significance. Nevertheless, although theoverall history of the property has been researched in several major publicrepositories, it has become clear during the course of the current study thatfurther material, able to contribute additional or more detailed information isavailable, especially from private sources, particularly members of theMerrick family. This information is of a diverse character and includesdocumentary and photographic material and the recollections/memories ofindividuals.


•

42

What are the priorities for research?

Are special skills/ experience needed for this research? Can it beundertaken by an interested dedicated amateur person?

Some prior experience is probably desirable given that any oral historyprogram would need a consistent and structured approach and carefullyformulated questions in order to achieve maximum benefit and more specific


The immediate priority for historical research must be the collection of fulloral histories from the surviving members of the Merrick family who have haddirect connections with the property and its former occupants. Given the ageof some of these descendants this research should be undertaken as soonas possible either under the auspices of the National Trust or any otherappropriate party (e.g. any lessee). Persons who should be especiallytargetted during this research include: Mr John Merrick, Mrs Phyllis Merrickand her daughter Mrs Dawn Murray (last tenant of Fernhill before theabortive long-term lease in 1988) and Mr Pat Merrick (brother of John).

Investigation of the fabric?Some inspection of the fabric has been undertaken during the currentproject. This has indicated that considerable evidence of the property's legaland occupational history is evident in the fabric. This includes theintroduction of new buildings and services coincident with legal changes, forexample the twentieth century differences evident between the two ends ofthe house. Evidence of the "use wear'·' of occupation is also present such asgraffiti written onto window glass by children in the Merrick portion at the turnof the century. Other surviving physical evidence in the extant fabric from theperiod of the original construction also provides indications of minoralterations or changes of intentions which are not recorded in thedocuments, for example the installation of the stairway in the rear attic.

It is likely that systematic inv.estigation of the fabric, for example duringnecessary conservation works, may yield additional evidence concerningthe detailed history of the fabric both during original construction and also ofits condition over time, modifications, and possibly also changing room use,etc.

oral historyThe oral history of the Merrick occupation of the property, still available fromnumerous descendants, is likely to yield considerable further information ifsystematically recorded. This information will improve the detailedundertstanding of the use of the house and property during the Merrickperiod and reaches at least back to the 1920s and 1930s. Descendantshave shown considerable interest and have indicated during the currentstudy that they are willing to participate in any future organised oral historyprogram.

Collection of the Mitchell Library were not examined and may yield furtherinformation. Other collections and repositories in the local (Hartley-Lithgow)area are also understood to hold material relevant to the Blackman andMerrick families.The Merrick Family collections also merit further investigation.


43

understanding of the detailed history and functioning of "Fernhill". Thisdoes not preclude the completion of research by a non-professional subjectto the creation of an appropriate framework and parameters for the project.Advice regarding oral history projects is understood to be available from theRoyal Australian Historical Society. Local history and family history societiesmay also be able to contribute to this process. The Professional HistoriansAssociation may also be able to assist with advice and/or the selection ofappropriate practitioner if the work is completed on a professional basis.

IIIIII,IIfl

IIIIIIIIIIII

Femhill ConseNation Poicy History

44

4. Urgent works 47

5. Priorities and costs 51

10. Research or Investigations 63

Buildings

Robert A. Moore Pty.Ltd.Architects

Femhill Conservation PoflCY

Robert Moore

Buildings

2 Lord Street, Roseville, NSW 2069Tel (02) 416 2600 Fax (02) 416 5327

Costing of Building Works by

Gary Wailer

G. & C. WailerBuilders

P.O. Box 106, Oatley NSW 2223Tel (02) 584 1451 Fax (02) 584 1785

1. Cultural Significance................................................................................ 45

2. Evidence of History................................................................................... 45

3. Condition.................................................................................................... 46

6. Obligations and Conservation policy.................................................... 54

7. Constraints on new development.. 56

8. Opportunities : 58

9. Options 62

IIIIII1IIIIIIIIIIIIII

-.,.-----------------------~--

45

What fabric/buildings/other features are significant?

Cultural SignificanceWhat is important about the buildings at Fernhil/?

Their capacity to illustrate the history of the site, in all its breadth and detail,across the whole of its occupation, supported by original documentation.This capacity in the site in turn illuminates the history of the site's largercontext.

Almost all of the fabric contributes to the story and significance of the group even the fibro enclosures of the eastern elevation are related to the story ofthe building's dual family occupancy and as such have significance. Asmuch, as material economy, the fabric also reflects changes in buildingtechnology over time. Different materials and techniques were variouslyemployed to adapt the building for continued occupation, as its occupantswere able to obtain and afford.

Buildings

Buildings

The fabric illustrates the change in the building's use and circumstances,across its entire occupation, with its external condition most illustrative of thelatter period of its occupancy (post 1950), though the original period of thebuilding's life is only thinly veiled. Changes in the front verandah, thebuilding of the eastern verandah enclosures, the eastern bathroom and thelater modern bathroom next to the kitchen all display the changes in thebuilding's occupation and occupants - specifically its use by two subtlydivided households.

Evidence of HistoryWhat evidence of history and occupation is apparent in the fabric of thebuildings?

The fabric most importantly shows the architectural concept and detail of awell-built and purpose-designed country roadside inn of its day, intended toattract the patronage of the more respectable (and better-off) travellingpublic of the time. Like many other inns the building became a privateresidence when the use and the users of the Great Western Highwaychanged with the development of the railways, and in this the buildingreflects the long history of the Bowenfels district.

The Fernhill group of buildings was built to serve the Western Highwaytraffic, but proved to have been built too late to have been a successful longterm investment - the Railway, and the development of Lithgow changed itscontext. It became a late, penultimate example of its type on the Highway,and its conversion to a private residence is typical of the fate of many of itskind. The way in which it has survived, very intact in itself and in anunchanged, evocative landscape setting, sets it apart from the othersurvivors of its type and in its particUlar context.

Femhill ConseNation POrlCYIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

~

IIIIIII

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la

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Urgent WorksAre there any components that need urgent attention?

Yes - specifically the roof cladding and spouting (box gutter leakage) ofall buildings in the complex, and repair of the roof framing andstructure (white ant damaged) of the principal building.

Leaking roofs are leading to water damage and associated rot and decay.The lack of a proper water collection and dispersal system isaccelerating water penetration and encouraging rising damp. Water shouldnot be lying around and between the buildings, let alone getting into them.

BuildingsFemhill Conservation Policy

Of individual occupants?

Most evidence is of the latter period of occupation, by the Merrick sisters, butextends to many-smaU subtle details like the inscription of initials on theglass window pane. The details of the fabric, together with the oral history,bring the buildings and their locale to life.

-------r"- ..... -.~" -_Of the division oJ the prop-erty?

The major division of the property is evident in the additions made for dualoccupation (the later eastern bathroom and kitchen, the development ofseparate entrances at either end of the main building), selectedimprovements to internal finishes (the new ceilings), and the garage.However, most interestingly there was no internal division of the mainhallway, and for much of the 'dual occupanct time the attics were occupy bythe family at the western end.

Of other aspects of history?

The building is an unusually intact survivor of the mid 19th- century, and itsarrangement reflects the contemporary legislation and practice in thedesign of wayside inns, when they were at their "peak" of utility andpatronage - just before the heyday of the -railways began. More researchmight indicate how Fernhill's form relates to the mores of the emergingColonial Victorian society that it was built to serve.

ConditionWhat works or other action are necessary to care for the buildings and makethem useable (e.g., provision of services)?

Extensive repairs are necessary to combat the effects of age, decay andpest infestation/damage. Prolonged water penetration and termiteinfestation have made parts of the building effectively unsafe, e.g., thedestruction of many of the front attic floor joists makes the occupation ofthose rooms before repair unsafe. and likely to cause further damage.

Water supply, sewerage, power and light, and stormwater disposal are allrequired. Those that have been introduced and remain are not serviceablenor adequate ·for even the most modest use or protection of the buildings.


49

To increase security?

What works are needed to make the main building and original kitchen winghabitable? Or at least an area the equivalent of a small portable house?Which of these options is preferable?

The kitchen wing needs extensive repair work, including brickwork, roof androof structure, ceilings, window joinery, flooring ( the main kitchen room ispresently brick paved and has sunk due to water entry and collapse of the

Buildings

Establish an on-site presence (caretaker) and for install a suitablemovement-detector and smoke alarm system, linked to a "custodian"could quickly respond;

tidy up and maintain the garden;

secure all doors and windows;

set up an internal automatic lighting sequence; and

undertake any necessary repairs to fencing and gates.

Femhill Conservation porlCY

who

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To make the bUildings useable?

The bUildings are useable for storage purposes, but not for habitation.The works listed above are necessary if the buildings are to be,moreuseable, and to make the complex habitable, a working kitchen andbathroom are needed.

To halt further decay?

Assuring the structural integrity of the roofs of each building, and ensuringthat stormwater is completely conveyed away from all the buildings and theirsurroundings are essential if further decay is to be avoided.

A new electrical service, for both light and use of equipment, is neededfor any work to be properly planned and executed.

Security of the whole complex must be a great concern and there is a riskof fire after unauthorised entry.

Repair of the main building is preferable to expenditure on a newrelocatable building, such action would allow repair to Fernhill to startimmediately, and not be postponed again. Money would be going where itneeds to go, rather than being "sidetracked". A site presence would beeffectively established with the commencement of work on site ( the Builder'ssite shed ).

The main building could be occupied after termite repairs, new services, andthe introduction of satisfactory kitchen and bathroom arrangements. It wouldseem quite straightforward to make several rooms available for use as livingrooms and bedrooms, with the former bar/tap room possibly having somepublic function associated with inspection of the site.



Upper: kitchen and bathroom additions, post- division

Lower: interior of stables loft floor

• ~~-~~·~~~-----------------------------11

51

Main building :

(This provides all-internal services commensurate withcontemporary expectations) or

C. New Electrical, Water and Sanitation Systems.

D. Kitchen/bathrooms

BuildingsFemhill Conservation porlCY

These facilities will be needed for any occupationand/or caretaker presence.

Option 1: Introduce new kitchen into the presentkitchen space after repairs; introduce new bathroom andlaundry into room next to present kitchen

Option 2: Provide a new bathroom in a newindependent structure that will replace the westbathroom immediately north of the kitchen wing; andprovide a new kitchen and new laundry within theoriginal kitchen wing, after repairs.

Option1 would be the less expensive of the twoapproaches, but entails more disturbance of the fabric of

A. RQof, chimneys, dormer repairs, gutters,stormwater drainage - these are essential and urgentlyneeded works, from any point of view.

B. Termite repairs to roof and floors. Further'damage"and collapse of the building's interiors must be avoided.The ground floor will need to be made safe to permit anyuse or occupation. Inspection may suggest that theground floor rooms could be repaired first and the atticsfloors follow later, provided the attics are not used in themeantime.

lower west wall). Power, water and drainage are needed. All this work isnecessary due to the condition of the bUilding and is not avoidable. It wouldbe possible to acceptably introduce new kitchen and associated storage useinto the rooms, but in view of the repairs needed to the building, this isprobably not so economically attractive in the short term as use of the mainbuilding. One option would be to start with a "temporary" kitchen, to bereplaced later by a "final" kitchen developed in the original kitchen wing.The temporary kitchen inside the main bUilding could be used for a smallscale commercial use at a later date, associated with the bar room.

PrioritiesWhat are the preferred priorities! or sequences of action! to conserve thebUildings and make them useable? .

It is important to undertake the works in a way that makes the buildingsuseable as soon as possible, and hence provides security.


52

the principal bUilding. The work involved in Option 2would include components necessary for theconservation of the kitchen wing,and the west bathroom would need to be demolished.

To "use" these areas for other than interpretation orstorage would be difficult. It would entail extensive worksthat arguably would diminish the significance of thefabric. The kitchen in particular is of much interest for itssimple bushman's pragmatic construction techniques _bush pole framing and hessian linings combined withthe use of second hand materials. This works providessome indication of the circumstances in which it wasbuilt. It should be conserved through both preservationand reconstruction techniques. The bathroom could besuitably refitted for interpretative purposes, or simplyused for storage, but would not be suitable for everydaybathroom use.

Buildings

Original West Kitchen Wing1 .

Remove vegetation and overhanging tree boughs likelyto damage the building; repair roof frame and cladding;repair gutters and spouting; new stormwater drainagesystem; rebuild areas of unstable and collapsedbrickwork (cutting out decayed bricks and possiblyintroducing a damp proof course); overhaul andreconstruct door and window joinery; new ceilings;repair floor where sunk (brickwork on fill) and whereloose (timber); repair verandah structure, roof and pavedfloor; paint as appropriate inside and out; install newservices (power and light, water and waste disposal);install minimum necessary fitments to support use (e.g.,kitchen sink, stove etc. if kitchen is to be introduced,laundry trough for laundry use of southern-most room.

2. East Kitchen and Bathroom Wing

The kitchen needs both repair and reconstruction of itsinternal details and finishes.The work required includes the checking over andstructural repair of the building's frame, both decay andtermite damage being observable. The kitchen bUildinghas distorted which in itself is not a problem, but it willneed to be straightened, doors and windows madegood, and the roof and weatherboard cladding, whichhas loosened and stretched, needs to be refixed. Theroof and roof drainage need to be resolved, so that nowater is being deposited on the ground near thebuilding, or in a position where it will run back to it orothers nearby. The bathroom is not in such an obviouslydeteriorated condition but needs similar thoroughoverhaul if it is to be stabilised and maintained.

Femhifl ConseNation POrlCY

Outbuildings


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3. The Stables and Coach house

This may sound an extensive list of works, but the simpleconstruction and constituent materials of the bUildingsmust be kept in mind, as well as their unsophisticateddetails and small scale.

First and foremost of all these works must be the roof, spoutingand stormwater drainage.

What are the approximate costs for these works? What funds are needed toconserve Fernhil/?

BuildingsFemhill ConseNation POrlCY

This fine structure is standing due to the repairsundertaken in 1983. These works arrested decay andprevented its collapse, but they have not been followedby appropriate maintenance. Replacement doors of1983 are now themselves in need of repair, repointedjoints need touch-up repointing again, and whileawaiting the circumstances in which the bUilding mightbe adapted for some new use, further protectivemeasures must be considered. Works include:

The ground floor of the building is suitable for a Iow-keyand minimal-demand use after these works. Use of thebuilding for part of its original purpose - housing animals- would be possible if the internal structure associatedwith the upper floor were confirmed to be safe, and themangers and stalls were reconstructed in a similar formto the original fabric based on such detail as remains.Repair of the loft floor will provide other opportunities foruse.

Checking over of the roof, roof frame and tie rods, toensure stability; installation of half-round gutters,suitably-sized round downpipes and stormwater drainsto convey roof water away instead of allowing it to splashagainst the lower wall, eroding the pointing, soaking thefoundation zone and encouraging rising damp; rakingout and repointing of cracked mortar joints; repair andprotective coating of the reconstructed doors and theirframes.

Distinctions must be drawn between the different approaches that might betaken with conservation works at Fernhill, for the costs will vary greatlyaccording to the work to be done. To "preserve" Fernhill, or to "restore" it, orto adaptively use it after modification works would all be considered"conservation", but these different approaches would all entail differentcosts, stemming from the tasks involved and the manner in which they areundertaken.


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54

Obligations and Conservation PolicyWhat obligations are imposed on care and use of the bUildings by thebuildings' significance?

What maintenance and repairs are needed?A detailed and descriptive schedule of works, used in preparation of theestimates, is attached as an Appendix.

Most of the conservation tasks at Fernhill will involve careful and consideredsmaller-scale work, that would arguably best be undertaken by a small,knowledgeable building team, or possibly by an owner-builder withexperience in building conservation.

Buildings

$170,323.00

$ 42,988.00

$ 8,761.00

$222,072.00

$ 48,192.00$110,731.00

$ 10,000.00$ 1,400.00

$ 23,377.00$ 18,611.00$ 1,000.00

$ 3,757.00$ 5,004.00

Total

Femhill Conservation POrlCY

Main house:

External worksInternal worksAttic floor repairwith steel - approx.Electrical board

Within this perspective and view of the fabric, some castings have beenestimated by G.& C. Wailer, Builders, in response to the schedules of worknominated in the assessment of the fabric. Please note that these figuresallow for some adaptive reuse works (the overhaul of the power and lighting)as well as maintenance. New kitchen and bathroom, laundry facilities areconsidered further below.

The significance of Fernhill warrants an approach which involves the leastintervention. Undertaken in stages, the costs may not as high as superficialinspection suggests. Fernhill is not an approriate place for a prospectiveoccupant who is seeking a finished product which has all new finishes, withevery feature - such as fireplaces - in an as new/ near to new condition.Such an approach would destroy some of Fernhill's significance as a placethat has adapted to changing needs.

Kitchen Wing:

External worksInternal worksElectrical Board

Stables Block :

External worksInternal Works


55

Are there any areas/ surfaces/finishes or other special features that requirespecial care or that might restrict the use of rooms?

Mention has been made above of the original kitchen wing and the later eastkitchen wing. The original kitchen could be repaired and adapted carefullyfor reuse, but any "modernisation" of the east kitchen, such as the installationof built-in cupboards, will remove its particular relevance to the group as awhole, and in that, its cultural value.

The selective removal of elements or the reversal of changes andreconstruction of missing elements will risk interference with the story of theplace and must proceed in the context of a comprehensive, consistentpolicy for any such intervention; and changes that are part of the adaptive reuse of the buildings should disturb as little as possible of the buildings'fabric, and remove little (or none) of the extensive surviving original fabric.All of this doesn't mean that change can't occur-it has to be planned to leavewhat is really important unaltered.

BUik:lings

The reversal of some changes made over time must be regarded as beingof doubtful value,e.g., the restoration or exposure of early surfaces nowconcealed (such as the flagged floor of the main house hallways, nowpainted) or the completion of areas partly lost, should not involve any risk ofdamage to the fabric - the front verandah retains evidence of at least threestages of repair of its roof and columns, and this provides an interestingchance for visitors to understand the way a building can reveal the history ofits fabric - all of which would be removed by a selective reconstruction of the"original arrangement".

Femhill ConseNation POrrcy

Most obvious are the rear attics of the main house which are in a veryunmodified condition. They retain early paint finishes and have not beengiven any fitments or electric power and lighting. Leaving these rooms asthey are, with only "invisible mending" (skilled, undetectable repair) to takeplace, should be a high priority. In other rooms of the principal building,original or early ceilings, cornices, joinery and fitments all contribute to theevidence that the bUilding provides not only of itself, but of its type andperiod. This doesn't mean that they can't be cleaned, repaired, andselectively refinished for re-use and reoccupation. Modern services can beintroduced under floors and ih the roof voids with minimal impact, if their"visible parts" are skilfully located to assist the plumbing.

Fernhill's fabric is important for its intactness - the survival of the originalform, detail, and setting provided in its original construction. The original"nuts and bolts" are extant; the impact of subsequent changes has been bothminor and interesting in themselves, and the complex retains a powerfulcapacity to impress the contemporary visitor with its history and "distinctnessof place". However, the very acts of repair and intervention (needed toensure that Fernhill has a future) will cause change how the place isperceived, and the objective must be to minimise the loss of this specialcapacity "to teach".


On the use/care of particular rooms/aspects of the bUildings?

Where can seNices (i.e., bathrooms and kitchens) be introduced onto thesite?

There appear to be four alternatives that might in turn be realised in differentcombinations :-

The introduction of any new bUildings, as part of any new use strategy,should be strictly subject to the advice of this Policy on the siting andcharacter of such buildings.

Buildings

adaptation of some internal rooms of the main building

56

demolition and replacement of the later bathroom, immediately northof the kitchen block

construction of a new services building south-east of the main house

construction of a new building in the rear paddock west of the Stablesblock that could accommodate other functions to be carried out on thesite - as well as housing services

Femhill Conservation porlCY

Constraints on New DevelopmentWhat obligations are imposed on the introduction of new uses by thesignificance of the bUildings?

New uses should not involve modifications, or a risk of damage, that wouldbe prejUdicial to the significance and interpretation of the buildings. This is acriterion of SUitability for any proposed use.

The introduction of services or facilities should be localised to the minimumrequired number of locations, and they should be unobtrusive. Electric lightand power, water supply and waste systems can be provided to rooms asneeded through subfloor and above-ceiling distribution, finishing off insurface-mounted switches and service points etc. that avoid any chasing-infor unnecessary and damaging concealment. Chasing-in of pipes and wiresremoves original material, and is very hard to conceal; better that they berun in concealed spaces, from which they can be later removed if necessary,without permanent impact..

Externally, new uses must not impact upon significance. In particular, thesiting of any new bUildings associated with a new use or uses must observethe constraints of this Policy.

Internally, the constraints discussed above must prevail.

With regard to the Stables bl9Ck, the reconstruction of missing internalstructure (the loft floor in particular) and adaptation for a new use would beacceptable, subject to the constraints of this Policy.

•

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57

If the main building is to be used as ·accommodation, how can services suchas a kitchen and bathroom be introduced?

How should this be compared with making an addition for, say, a bathroom(in terms of conservation and costs)? Where would such a building belocated ? What would it be like?

A new bathroom could be located on the present site of the (most recentlybUilt) bathroom, immediately north of the kitchen block. It could be of similarform to the building that is there, but laid out for good amenity and comfort. Itcould be built of weatherboarded timber frame construction and could beslightly larger to include a laundry and visitor toilet as well as live-inbathroom facilities. Timber frame construction would be cheaper and lessintrusive than brick construction.

BuildingsFemhill Conservation porlCY

This use would obviously require convenient access. A new kitchen couldbe placed in the current kitchen, adjoining the bar.

New bathroom or bathroom-laundry facilities could be placed in thebedroom adjoining the kitchen (to localise the plumbing) or in the bedroomimmediately east of the rear central hall (to group with the bedrooms likely tobe occupied by a resident tenant or owner/manager.

Another option is to reuse the original kitchen and build a new externalbathroom.

This option would be cost-efficient and involve destruction of less significantfabric (Le., the existing bathroom) than would the introduction of a newbathroom to the main house. It should also be comparable in costs,because of the simplicity of the task of building new, as oppose<;:l to the taskof building inside the original main building. Servicing a new externalbUilding would be much easier and less destructive than introducing sewerplumbing to the existing room in the main building. The new building wouldalso be helpful in improving the amenity of the covered way to the kitchenwing - more shelter from rain, wind, etc.

To introduce a new kitchen of reasonable.modern domestic standards intothe main house would cost at least in the vicinity of $12 -17,000.00,depending on the complexity of cupboards and the plumbing needed. Tointroduce a new bathroom, separate toilet for visitor use and a basic laundry,all to reasonable domestic standards, could absorb an additional $1520,000.00, depending again on the complexity of plumbing. As discussedabove, a new simple detached bathroom should be achievable for a similaramount with less adverse impact upon.

To introduce a kitchen appropriate for development within the originalkitchen wing could be done for less money, as such a kitchen would ofnecessity avoid built-in fittings, other than a sink unit. If necessary such akitchen could be put together for perhaps $3 - 5,000.00. This is not of course,allowing for the repairs necessary to the original kitchen wing buildingenvelope.


58

4. A private residence.

The main bUilding has of course enjoyed long use as a private residenceand could do so again.

2. A low scale retail use combined with a "museum of itself" e.g., anantiques sales combined with a refreshment room - again amanager's flat could be included.

BUildingsFemhill Conservation porlCY

3. A refreshment room, retail and museum facility, combined with guestaccommodation - either as a smallscale home use, or perhaps in anew bUilding elsewhere on the site. The main building to be used assitting rooms, dining room and kitchen, "museum rooms" andpossibly manager's residence.

OpportunitiesWhat opportunities do the buildings provide for use?

Main Building

1. A "museum of itself", open and available for inspection to illustrate itsown history and that of its context. Manager/custodian'saccommodation could be included.

These two options for the kitchen would appear to be preferable (inconservation and economic terms) to any notion of adding a new kitchenbuilding to the complex.

The arrangement of rooms in the building allows these uses to be simplyand comfortably introduced - as shown in the sketches. Circulation can beeasily controlled, and necessary services SUitably provided. The west endwould be given to public functions, the eastern rooms to a simple manager'sflat. The attic rooms would not be suitable for accommodation purposes,because of their fragility, problems of access and safety, and vehicle noise.However, they could be used successfully for interpretative and displaypurposes.

Kitchen WingRepaired and made safe, and with services appropriately introduced, thekitchen wing rooms could be used for "museum" or interpretative purposes,retail spaces, or part of a refreshment rooms facility. These rooms could alsobe reused as the kitchen and associated family room or store space servingthe main house, be that in residential or other use. Occupation as living areaagain would entail completely new finishes, and would remove some of theapparent age and intactness of the building.

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62

What about the use of solar heating?

OptionsIs there any flexibility in the works needed to conserve Fernhil/?

What about a septic tank waste system or other environmentally soundsystem of waste disposal? .

BUildings

Yes. It is not necessary to make the buildings look "new" again inorder to conserve them. Their significance will remain, and may bemore apparent, if only maintenance and repair works are undertaken.

Since site disposal of soil and sullage wastes would be needed, propertertiary treatment of wastes would be necessary and would be anotherindication of the Trust's responsible prop(3rty management approach.Recent developments in waste managmemnt may be satisfactory. Such asystem would not interfere with use of ground water for garden purposes.

It is likely that some benefit could be gained from a solar heating system, butin winter sunlight access to the buildings is restricted by vegetation andtopography. Placement of solar receptor devices would be critical - it wouldnot be acceptable for these to be visible in the major views of the building such as on the main faces of the roof of the principal building; one possiblelocation for receptors would be the north face of the rear part of the mainbuilding's roof.

Similarly, no satellite dishes or receivers/antennae should be visible fromoutside the property, nor preferably from within the property. If they areneeded, they should be placed in small detached and screenedcompounds.

In all this, electrical services would be easy to introduce, but any waterservice, or toilet accommodation, will not be so easy. The flagged floor of thebuilding is complete and would be damaged if it was to be disturbed forplumbing. It would also be regrettable for any further compartmentalising ofthe ground floor space to take place even if it is just to hide service pipes - itshould be avoided.

• possible dormitory accommodation related to on-site activities - e.g.,youth camps, volunteer conservation workers, etc.

StablesThe stables/coach house building could be repaired and made completethrough reconstruction of the loft .floor and roof, and adaptive works. It wouldthen be suitable for a number of uses including:

• a stables and coach house for on-site horse-riding and otherequestrian activities. These might be associated with a new buildingon the property, west of the Stables.

• a retail facility/workshop for small craft activity.

Femhill ConseNation PoflCYIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

63

Protection against further termite activity is also essential and part of thiswould be regular underfloor inspection, if that can be facilitated.

What the bUildings require is urgent attentio.n to the faults that are causingeven greater damage - that is, careful maintenance and protection toforestall further deterioration. There is little flexibility in the worksneeded to ensure that decay does not continue or accelerate.

What are the practicalities of Femhill being conserved by an owner-builder?An owner working on the bUildings with occasional help?

Fernhill could be worked on by an owner-builder with substantial experiencein the conservation of bUildings, and preferably a SUitably experiencedtradesperson and following the Conservation Policy. Agreement that nodepartures be made from the schedule of works in the Conservation Policywould be essential, and this agreement would require supervision by theNational Trust. .

BuildingsFemhifl ConseNation Por/cy

Research or InvestigationsIs any research or investigation needed for any aspects of care of thebUildings?

No major investigations are needed. Some further inspection may beneeded to determine the best approach to some maintenance and repairworks, e.g. there is some deterioration of stonework in the lower wallcourses, especially near the bar entry doors, and along the west wall.Photographs suggest this activity is old and long-term. It must be properlyunderstood so that above all, the need to replace these stones can beavoided.


64

4. Conservation policy for the Garden & Grounds............................... 72

5. Opportunities 72What opportunities do the gardens and groundsprovide?

1. Cultural Significance 65What is important about the garden and groundsaround the bUildings?

Garden and groundsFemhill Conservation PoUcy

Garden and Grounds

Michael Lehany

Landscape architect2 Thornton Street, Ba/main, 2040Tel (02) 810 2007

2. Evidence of History 65

3. Condition 69


65

Evidence of history:

A plan of the garden and grounds "Conservation Overview", is attached.

Garden and grounds

Although the term 'garden' invariably described a kitchen garden up to midVictorian times, from the mid century the 'garden' became increasingly theterm for what had previously been 'pleasure grounds'. For 1859 it may beonly the 'kitchen garden', although a fence of some kind would be essential,to keep out grazing stock, native animals etc, about the immediate groundsall round the inn.

"7.to put a good and substantial paling fence around thegarden".(ML MSS Z620, Item 3, p46)

The first mention of 'garden' occurs in the 1859 lease document; item 7 (aspart of the lease terms):

What relationship does the present gardens bear to that shown in the historical photographs?What is the evidence of the character, lives and attributes of the people at Fernhill?What is the names and approximate age of the plant material?

Evidence of historyWhat evidence of history and occupation is apparent in the garden andgrounds?

3 In their entirety, the gardens and grounds reflect the various uses andownerships of "Fernhill", with the exception of the loss of most of the'rose garden' adjoining the south west side of the house, theseoverlays are largely intact. Like the house, these overlays form acomprehensive and complementary whole that is more important thanpurely the .earliest parts of it.

Cultural SignificanceWhat is important about the gardens and grounds around the buildings?

1 The garden and grounds of "Fernhill" form an important cultural settingto the ensemble of historic buildings that form the nucleus of the mid19th century inn complex.

2 The gardens incorporate, in part, elements of 19th century plantingsand layout that in themselves are a significant and rare survivors of theperiod - this includes the grassed roundel, circular gravelled path andperimeter shrubbery, the rock edged bedding between carriage driveand house and several of the mature exotic trees about the site.

Garden and grounds at Fernhill

Femhill Conservation Policy

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66

The Roundel Garden and Environs:

(Wisteria is clearly shown in the coloured 1925-30 Merrick col. photograph _Virginia creeper is probably an 'incorrect reporting' ML)

"Around the house neat gravelled paths run between clippedLaurels and lilac bushes and the wooden pillars of thestone-flagged verandah are twined with Virginia creeper"(et c) f

,Garden and groundsFemhill ConseNation Poficy

Such a fence is shown propped-up about the old 'Acacia tree' to the southeast of the house in the 1930 SydneY,Mail article (see photos at the end ofthis section) and the companion view of the roundel area - also illustrated inthe c1890-1900 photograph of the front garden and the 1925 photograph ofthe 'Plum Pickers' getting a little derelict (Merrick family collection) and aphotograph of similar date, looking from inside the roundel garden, showinga family group at the lower edge of the garden, the adjacent hill to the westin the background beyond the paling fence (Merrick fam. col.). These early(usually split) paling fences were extremely durable and could havesurvived to be the fence shown in the 1890-1900 photograph andelsewhere on site after being replaced by a picket fence at the front of thehouse.

Archival photographs from c1890 to 1983 show the site to have been wellgardened for more than 100 years - and probably since the construction ofthe inn in the mid-19th century. Certainly the Robinia tree along the frontfence shows to be approximately 30 to 40 years old (in a photograph c18901900, Merrick fam. col.) the same species to the south east of the old Inn (theAcacia tree in the Sydney Mail 1930 illustration), could pre-date the Inn andthe latter survives in the form of regenerating suckers. The gardeningillustrated in these early photographs is of a typical 19th century form ofclipped bushes along the front and a deciduous creeper along the verandah- larger shrubs and trees occur at either side of the main front.

This form, although reduced in complexity su'rvives today, with a pair ofclipped privet hedges either side of the central front path and the Robiniatree (almost overcome with ivy). Larger trees and shrubs are at either end ofthe bUilding.

The photograph of the north western side of the old inn in the Sydney Mail of1930 clearly illustrates the form of the roundel garden as does the handcoloured photograph of this side of the bUilding (c1925-1930) (both Merrickfam. col.). The two lilac bushes survive today and are likely to be 19thcentury plantings. A japonica bush, shown to be old in a family photographc1935, also survives today (this photograph not illustrated in this report). [ Inthis photo the japonica is clearly several decades old and could be asurvivor from the 19th century garden.]

A good description of the garden accompanies the Sydney Mail 1930photograph:-


67

The Garden Extended:

The Rock Edging:

This is clearly visible, between the roundel and house, in the colouredphotograph of c1925-1930. This is a traditional, vernacular feature ofcountry gardens dating from the mid 19th century to the 1920s and atFernhill its use may well date from c1860 (carriage drive edging?) with laterembellishments (bed edging etc. to 1920s and perhaps later). This does notappear around the inside of the rounde/. The bulk of the rockwork here andat the front, probably dating to the 1920s.

Garden and grounds

With the construction of the dam in 1940 a spring fed water supply wascaptured for house and garden - it is likely that the extended garden datesfrom this time or shortly after. The new garden extended to include the oldstock paddock (including the plum tree) illustrated in the foreground and tothe right in the 1930 Sydney 'Mail photograph of the roundel garden. The,by now, rickety old paling fence was probably taken down at this time andthe old roundel garden opened up with an informal connection on its southwestern side, into the new garden.

The South-Eastern Garden and likely Old Kitchen Garden site of the Inn:

A garden is hinted at in the 1890-1900 photograph of the paling enclosedfrontage and a geometric 'rose garden' (oral history, Merrick family) isshown here in the coloured 1925-1930 photograph. Virtually no surface (?)evidence of this survives today, apart from some rockwork (c1920) circularbed and large shrub species at the road frontage. Either the 1983 'groundsclean-up' and/or subsequent stock grazing may have removed whateverremained of this largely herbaceous material. It is possible that this is thegarden noted in the Sydney Mail article of November 1930 - 'Beside thehouse where the present tenant has her garden so neatlylaid out (and never have I seen finer anemones than shegrew there) was at one time the kitchen garden of the Inn.'

In the 1930 Sydney Mail article the Pinus radiata at the northern cornershows to be approx 40 to 60 years old, as does the same species to thesouth of the old kitchen block. Outside the roundel garden (in the sheeppaddock) stands a single tree (of stone fruit size) and from the Sydney Mailphotograph of 1930, could be up to 60 years old. This is the tree illustratedin a Merrick family photograph (annotated - 'Plum Pickers' at Fernhill 11thJanuary 1925) this tree survives in its self-regenerated form in the existing,expanded garden.

The existing Canary Island Date Palm in the centre of the roundel shows ina photograph of the Merrick sisters c 1959 (Merrick family col.) and probablydates to when the garden was extended out from here (c1940-1950).

Femhilf ConseNation PoficyIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

68

Several of the older pinus radiata along the south western paddock edge ofthe extended garden probably define the old stock paddock - all the olderpinus radiati (one at the front corner of house, two in rear service yard andthe largest in the paddock boundary) are likely to have been a singleplanting of as early as c1870.

Whereas the roundel clearly shows the remains of a formal 'xxxxxx' shrubplanting, the extended garden is basically of informal grassed spaces,clumps of deciduous and evergreen trees with handsome groupings of redand yellow berried Crataegus and Pyrancanthus bushes.

The dam forms a focal end to the internal design - cement steps providing'access' to the water and there are drifts of bulbs and shasta daisy inevidence.

Old cast iron bed ends have been adapted to form the seat-backs of twostonework benches (one painted primrose yellow) and another iron bed ispropped against a tree (perhaps waiting for its stonework!) - these wouldappear to be contemporary with the garden, ( could they have been madeby one of the Merrick sisters at the time of the making of the extendedgarden?). .

Outside the roundel garden (in the former sheep paddock) stands a singletree (of stone fruit size) and from the Sydney Mail photograph of 1930, couldbe up to 60 years old. This is the tree illustrated in a Merrick familyphotograph (annotated - "Plum Pickers" at Fernhill 11 January, 1925) thistree survives in its self-generated form in the existing, expanded garden.

By the 1950s the roundel garden had developed into a rich country gardenof flowering shrubs (the old plantings) and herbaceous plants and theextended garden was an informal counterpoint to it. The rock.:.edged bedsnear the house were further embellished and hardy succulents establishedbeneath the pine tree. The garden was now a vital oasis between houseand busy highway.

.Garden and groundsFemhill ConseNation PoficyI

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69

The Front Garden:

Generally

Condition:What works or other action is necessary to care for the garden and grounds?

,Garden and groundsFemhill Conservation Poficy

Of the prants, only the larger tree and shrub material has survived here(there may be seasonal bulbs) and the· small rockwork bed and gardenremains to the south-eastern side of the house are fenced off and availableto grazing stock. In the latter corner, some smaller species survive about themajor shrubs - all this area having the potential to be garden again.

The rear court and south eastern sides of the house have been turned overto stock for several years: the old fowl run area has been 'cleaned-up' (post1983) and the water tanks etc all cleared away and dumped about the stoneprivy (c1988 c1ean-up'[Isn't this likely to be by Historic Inns?]). The conditionof these areas is not critical apart from the general lack of what was, in 1983,a more gardened setting to the house.

At the broad scale, most of the surviving gardened areas are ih remarkablyfair condition; but in critical areas (eg the roundel garden) the design andplantings are in danger of being lost through overgrowth of competinggarden and weed species. To the trained eye, the form of the roundelgarden and the extended garden are apparent upon inspection, however,this is not likely to be apparent (or recognisable as significant) to everyone.With minimum work the form and 'experience' of these areas could berecovered to reveal their historic values.

The Back Court or Service Yard & Beyond:

Traditionally, a 'practical' space between Inn and service buildings (egstables), this space is likely to have been gardened from the 1870s whenthe Inn became a residence. There is a rock-edged narrow bed along theback of the house and the 1983 National Trust photographs show it to haveevolved into a pleasant informal grassed space planted with Acanthusshrubs etc. This would have benefited from the protection of the corrugatediron water tank near the old bathroom to the south west. The tanks were'cleaned away' in the early 1980s and the area is now open to grazing.

Two old pinus radiati define the court in a line from the end of the old kitchenblock. These are likely to have been planted c1870 and each is surroundedby a ring of stone-edged bedding.

The featureless (because of the 1980s clean up) space south west of thehouse, was the fowl yard (verbal history, Merrick family).

The large Cypress Macrocarpa further away probably dates with thegalvanised iron garage (c1930s). The old pear (probably a China pear)between stables and stone privy could date from the mid to late 19thcentury.


70

The Roundel Garden:

The 'washing tubs' at the corner about the pine tree are an interestingrecycling and 'makeshift' item but are probably a post 'Merrick Sisters'introduction. These need not be removed, but are of lesser importance thanthe survival of the rockwork and planting.

Further towards the old kitchen block the 'garden story' is less clear - the oldbrick water cistern (covered by corr. iron), the toilet and bathroom and thesite of the waster tank, all present a rather dishevelled appearance - asimple but informed tidy up will create enough order to present the garden ina better light.

This is the oldest and perhaps most significant part of the garden and is inthe worst condition. The central grassed roundel needs careful mowing todefine its form and the path could be rescued from some of the overgrownplants obscuring it. It is important not to prune away the old Crataegusbushes that have collapsed over the path near the highway - they form theonly screen to the road, only metres beyond the path and form a goodcosmetic barrier. In the long term a new 'barrier' could be established andthe collapsed bushes cut down to regenerate.

The perimeter shrubbery and flower border is overcome by weekblackberries and seedling/suckering elm trees. It is vital that they becarefully removed so that the early shrub planting can survive. A very largeJaponica (planted possibly 1870) is being overtaken by these weeds. Worksuch as this requires an experienced person to supervise.

~arden and groundsFemhill ConseNation Poficy

Immediately in front of the house, irregular stone edged beds survive investigial form - the left side is more comprehensively laid out than the right.This could be a reflection of the divided residential use or simply anacceptance of the dominant shade regime of the old Pinus radiata tree onthe right. The clipped privet hedge and New Zealand Christmas tree arekept in traditional control.

To the right side ivy has covered most of the stone front fence and is rapidlyovertaking the important old Robinea tree (planted c1860-1870). While thiscombination of creeper and tree provides some visual relief from thedominant highway traffic, a clear choice of saving the tree is a priority - theivy could remain on the fence only.

The Side Garden (Rock edged Garden alongside driveway):

These beds of traditional country form have been successively embellished(possibly since c1860-1870) .and in their present form appear to date to after1930 [but you can see the stone edging in the photos 1925-30???]. Theshape of the beds is still clear and the lilacs survive in good condition - thereis a good array of succulents dotted about with clumps of Yucca andAgapanthus. Minor gardening only is required to assist in recovering theappearance of this area.

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71

Elsewhere - the Rear Court and Grounds:

The dam could be made more accessible and a circuit around the gardenrestored by pruning to the overgrown shrubs beneath the dam wall.

Little can be said about the condition of the grounds elsewhere, except tonote that traditional use of the stable bUilding would encourage themaintenance of the immediate environs.

Garden and groundsFemhilf ConseNation Poficy

The Extended Garden:

The Rock Edging;

The rock edging in vestigial form behind the old pines is modern [how doyou know?]and of minimal significance (lesser significance than the similaredging in the front garden, . The pair of old pines are important plantings(c1870) and one in particular has become very imbalanced due to eitherremoval of major limbs on the house side or through storm damage. Thistree needs to be assessed by a tree surgeon with a view to considering itsvulnerability to collapse - however, removal is not an option, propping theheavy growth side may provide a conservation solution.

Little needs to be done here in terms of 'rescuing' a garden. Extraneousmaterial lying about the rear court should be assessed for its conservationvalue and either stored or removed as rubbish. The post and rail fence inthe 1930 Sydney Mail article *, the Pinus radiata at the northern corner.shows to be approximately 40 to 60 years old as does the same species tothe south of the old kitchen block.

This is in reasonable order but the form, although informal, needs clarifying.The simple expedient of clearing out tree suckers from lawn/grassed areas,under-pruning some shrubs to restore access about the dam, removingblackberries and clearing the steps to the dam - all would easily recover theobscured garden form.

The cast iron bed end seats could be treated with a brush-on clear rustpreventative and weeds cleared away from them to recover theirprominence.

The large 'rubbish' emplacement is unlikely to contain significant gardenmaterial, however, when this modern (c1988) pile containing the removedwater tanks etc is cleared away, a suitably informed person of heritageexpertise would oversee the event with the view to rescuing relevantarchival material.


72

Conservation Policy for the Garden and Grounds

For further notes on obligations and opportunities see "Conservation andOpportunities" drawing.

1. The aim should be to conserve the gardens and grounds at Fernhill asan important cultural setting to the house and outbuildings and as partof a cultural landscape.

Garden and groundsFemhill Conservation Policy

2. Of the currently gardened areas, and in areas where evidence ofgardening has survived or is known from subsurface or archivalevidence, only those actions necessary to conserve the basic form ofthe gardens (as they had developed by the Merrick sisters and others)should be carried out. However, as gardens are of their very naturedynamic and growing entities, there are parts of the gardens andgrounds.where supplementary gardening developments of anappropriate kind may be carried out.

3. Gardens are loved or hated, depending upon fashions, for plants andgarden design. At this site, like other historic gardens, the collection ofgarden plants form an inseparable part of the cultural significance ofthe place, as do the overlays and adaptions made to the house for 120years or more. It is therefore important to retain the bulk of the plantspecies even though, for example, the wonderful collection of handysucculents of the rock-edged beds may not be in keeping with currentpopular taste and may only date to post 1930 - they are a traditionalfeature of old country gardens in the west of NSW and a good exampleof 'dry gardening'.

Opportunities

What opportunities do the gardens and grounds provide ?

There are uses for 'Fernhill' that may be totally incompatible with theconservation of the place eg turning the house into a soap factory, thestables into a oar wrecking yard etc. t-Jowever, it may be possible andbeneficial to the retention of the historic ambience of 'Fernhill' if hand-madesoaps were carefully but commercially made 'in a back room' or just sold onthe premises and the stables could become a low key restoration businessfor 'horse-drawn vehicles and veteran cars'. Likewise, the gardens andgrounds could be a venue or setting for commercial activities, but preferablyan historic garden for an historic home loving person or family!

The plan 'Conservation opportunities' shows where new activities may beaccommodated in the grounds, whilst respecting heritage values.

The key to 'acceptable' activities, lies generally in the scale and impact ofthe activity and not in the 'activity' itself. . It is essential that Fernhill againbecomes a residence in part or whole, this use and the custodialimplications and opportunities it offers will again enliven the garden andgrounds - 'in part a residence', could leave scope for commercial uses,ideally resident-run and commercially committed to by the incumbent.


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Fernhill from the Western Road with traditional clipped bushes and the old Robinea treeplanted c1870 - the whole framed by Pines

IIIIIIIIIII

of irregular on south-east

76

the Front '-'Ll,1 U',li


Rock-edged beds embellished from an earlier fonn, have Oxallis, Echeveria, Yucca,ClIpresslIs and the old Lilacs

Aloe, Echeveria, Sedlll11 and Yucca SP(~CI(~S in the rock-edged garden

I

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

The Dam (cl940) surrounded by informal plantings of Pine, Peodar, Spruce, Elm, Roseetc. in the enlarged garden

The yellow painted cast iron end adapted to form back of a stone bench. OldPlul1ltree suckers, Aga·panthus and Alliul1ls form the background the old roundelgarden - the is sited on line of the old split-par

78


Garden

Top Left, the Menick Sisters; Top Right, the sisters in the roundel garden c1959;Bottom Right, the roundel garden c1925 viewed from the catTiage drive looking towardthe hill. (Photo-board, Menick Family Collection)

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79

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3. What is the nature of the rural land? 82

Siobhan Lavelle, Michael Lehany and Meredith Walker

4. What works or other actions are necessary to 82care for the rural land?

Rural area and settingFemhill Conservation Policy

Rural area and setting

5. Urgent Works :................................ 82Is there any component that needs urgentattention in order to halt further decay orincrease security etc.?

1. Cultural Significance................................................................................ 81What is important about the rural areas andlandscape / setting of Fernhill?

2. Evidence of History................................................................................... 81What evidence of history and occupation isapparent in the rural areas? and the setting?

6. Priorities 82What are the preferred priorities or sequencesof action to appropriately manage the rural land? -

7. Constraints on new development 82What obligations does the significance of the rural landlandscape impose on the introduction of new uses? e.g.,to maintain views? to maintain landscape values?

8. Opportunities , 83

9. Fencing: What fences are appropriate? 83

1O. What uses are suitable fa r the ru ral land?........................................... 83

11. Any Specific Opportunities? , 83

12. Research or investigations 84

13. Major Issues 84What are the major issues for Fernhill and its landscape?

14. THE FUTURE: Fernhill and the surrounding landscape 84What other action could assist conservation?


81

Cultural significance:What is important about the rural areas and landscape / setting of Fernhil/?

The rural land within the "Fernhill" property is historically significant as itcomprises the original Portion 36 and its boundaries initially granted in1837. The surrounding rural land provides an appropriate, essentiallyunspoilt, and evocative setting for the "Fernhill" complex. The "visualcatchment" to the southeast corner of the property is especially important inthis regard as it enables the viewing of the complex in the context of theapproaching Western highway set against the impressive backdrop of thetimbered escarpments of Hassans Walls. This conveys the sense ofisolation of the complex at the time of its initial construction and use as aninn and its original purpose as a roadside facility. When viewed from thisapproach the building complex and the mature trees themselves alsoprovide a focal point of historic interest within the surrounding landscape.This view is dominated by the stable block and the mature exotic trees of thegardens rather than the house itself. Much of the "Fernhill" property itselfhas extensive views to the south and east over its own and adjoining ruralland. These views tend to be terminated by distant timbered ridges andprovide a surrounding physical context for the historic complex which hasnot had its integrity compromised by excessive development pressure orrural subdivision.

Evidence of history:What evidence of history and occupation is apparent in the rural areas?and the setting?(Features noted during the field inspection of the rural areas are noted onthe accompanying plan).

The known history of the property indicates that most of the surrounding ruralland was used for relatively low-intensity activities, principally grazingactivities (including sheep, horses and milking cows). Even after the formalpartition of the property in 1910 the resultant two 23 acre portions were runin a combined fashion. One unusual, high intensity and relatively complexuse of the southeast corner of the property (adjacent to the main road) wasthe installation of a 9 hole golf course during the Peacock family occupation.Little physical evidence relevant to this use was noted during the fieldsurvey. The southeast corner and southern boundary also retain evidenceof a former trotting track dating from the 1950s. Much of this circuit is nolonger apparent. Most of the surviving fence lines appear to be of (early)twentieth century date and are constructed of timber posts and wire mesh.One fence line at a strange angle, apparently bisecting the property,probably relates to the 1910 partition. This line now comprises timber postsonly, no actual fencing. Other features/evidence of occupation include smallin-ground dams, galvanised iron tanks and a number of rubbish dump sitesin gullies on the property. Cut trees and stumps also indicate constant(minor) use of the timber resources of the property.


Femhill ConseNation Policy

Rural Lands and Setting


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No. However, there must be concern that degradation of the land, such aserosion caused by overgrazing, be avoided.

The significant "visual catchment" (view corridor) identified in the area eastand partly southeast of the house probably necessitates the provision of

Priorities:What are the preferred priorities, or sequences of action, to appropriatelymanage the rural land?


What is the nature of the rural land ?


The blackberries also need to be removed/sprayed.

Urgent works:Is there any component that needs urgent attention (in order to halt furtherdecay/ increase security/ etc. ?

In area the rural land around the "Fernhill" complex extends to 14.99 ha (46acres). It is largely cleared, undulating terrain with small spurs, ridges andgullies. The highest point of the property occurs in the NW corner, the landthen falls to a lower spur/knoll on which the building complex is situated..On either side of this spur, gullies extend south with intermittentwatercourses that eventually feed into White's Creek and the Cox's River.The lowest areas of the property (which do not have major visual links withthe other areas) are located along the southern boundary and SW corner.Within the grazed areas small patches of regenerating scrub occur,characterised by Eucalypts with an understorey of blackthorns (Busariaspinosa). Self -sown exotics (Pinus radiata and Pyracantha species) alsooccur throughout the grazed areas.

Most views from the property occur to the Southwest. A major visualintrusion which detracts from the otherwise rural character of the property isthe large electricity transmission line and steel tower. The Great WesternHighway itself is an external detracting element.

What works or other action is necessary to care for rural land?

All fences appear to be in reasonable condition. Some boundary, and someinternal property fences are relatively recent and could be removed/replaced.Conservation of vegetation along creek/gUlly lines is desirable to preventerosion, also prevention of overgrazing.

Constraints on new developmentWhat obligations does the significance of the rural land /Iandscape imposeon the introduction of new uses?e.g., to maintain views? to maintainlandscape values?

The priority is that the use of the land does not interfere with theconservation of the complex of buildings and its setting. Retaining the openrural setting relies upon a continuation of grazing, at least in a limited way.


83

What uses are suitable for the rural land

How much of this land is suitable for grazing / are any areas unsuitable forpastoral use?

OpportunitiesWhat obligations do the significance and characteristics of the rural land/landscape impose on care and use ?

Ru~al area and settingFemhill ConseNation Policy

Fencing: what fences are appropriate?

All existing fences/posts should be retained. Repair should aim to stabilise,not replace, wherever possible. The same fence form and post .positions/spacing should be used. Most extant fencing is of an earlytwentieth century character (timber posts and wire mesh) - it would probablybe best to build on this character rather than faking an older style. Paddockgates / access should also be retained.

Most of the land appears suitable for grazing as long as this is not toointensive. "Carrying capacity" and feed produced appears relatively poor, Le.fairly low stock level would be needed. Property probably not at all viable (not large enough) for rural use as income source and this never intended orachieved in the past. Probably desirable that grazing animals eventuallykept further away from the environs of the house and its gardens if these areable to be adequately maintained in the future.

appropriate controls to keep this vista relatively open. It is probablydesirable that no major development (e.g. very large or prominent newstructure) be permitted in this area. If development is required here toachieve viability/conservation of the property, this should be of a subservientform, scale and character which will not reorient the focus of landscapevistas away from the main historic complex. Care would need to be given tothe exact design, siting and possibly screen planting of any new facilitiesrequired in this area. Any development must not prejudice the evocative,nineteenth century character of this view.

Grazing, in accordance with its capacity.Additional small areas could be allocated to bush regeneration, or nativeforest, provided to overall open character of the setting was not changed.

Any specific opportunities?

There are few obvious opportunities that are likely to be income producingand compatible.

horse stud - property probably not large enough (pasture too poor) unless"improved" or considerable hand feeding is undertaken = cost.The current level of horses (about 3 or 4 ?) is already keeping most of theproperty fairly well grazed (and it would be worse in drought conditions).


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84

THE FUTURE: Fernhill and the surrounding landscapeWhat other action could assist conservation?

Information about care of the remaining bushland so as to secure its naturalvalues, and to ensure a full supply of firewood.

Research or investigations:Is any research or investigation needed for rural area / landscape?

Rural area and settingFemhill ConseNation Policy

subdivision for rural residential allotments - Most undesirable. The presentboundaries are that of an original grant, and therefore of historical value inthemselves. Likely to be unacceptable to Merrick family given initial terms ofthe 1970 will - Le. that they were to profit from this and then the NT seekingto conserve the property as a "whole". Subdivision is not permissible underthe Local Environmental Plan. The Lithgow City Council has recentlyexhibited an LEP which allows subdivision in select rural areas. This willprovide all the rural allotments for at least the next ten years. The Councilare unlikely to encourage or accept the addition of any further rural areas forsubdivision.

The extraordinary stock of mid-19th century buildings and sites (places thathave survived in the Little Hartley, Hartley, South Bowenfels, Bowenfelsproper and Lithgow Valley area, is one of the great unsung cultural (tourist)assets of the greater Sydney fringe. The steady undirected (from a heritageplanning perspective) improvements being carried out to the Western Road,starting from the Lithgow turn-off, will irrevocably destroy this culturallandscape. A major re-consideration of highway planning options here isvital - a by-pass is an urgent necessity and should be investigated promptly.

Such a by-pass could return this section of the Old Western Road into an'historic tourist route' that encapsulates the experience of relatively unspoiltinterface between mid-colonial development and 'natural' backdrop such asat Fernhill. A by-pass here is as basic to the recognition of the cultural andsocial significance of the Bowenfels area as the by-passes at the historictowns of Berrima and Kiama.

Major issues:What are the major issues for Fernhill, and rural area / landscape?

Introduction of any new use compatible with the historic complex, and an yassociated driveway and carparking. Options shown on "Conservationopportunities" plan.

golf courses - known previous use but not really of a traditional "historic"character. Size and topography of property may preclude this (toocramped?). Presumably would require considerable landscape modification- would probably alter focus of property identified as component ofsignificance.other?


area and

MElROSE

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1 approx.

SITE PLAN (FERN HILL)

NATIONAL TRUST OF NSW

Femhill ConseN,ation

PLAN HAS BEEN PREPARED BY SUPERIMPOSING AERIAL PHOfPGRAPH

TOPOGRAPHIC MAP (1,25000),



Femhill

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

92

1. A brief history of the use of Fernhill... 93What uses have been made of Fernhill?

4. Great Western Highway........................................................................... 96

5. The future use of Fernhill 96

6. Policy for the use of Fernhill.................................................................... 976.1 Preferred uses6.2 What uses are likely to meet these requirements?6.3 Who might be an appropriate occupant for Fernhill?

Use

Use

Femhilf Conservation PoflCY

Meredith Walker

Heritage Conservation Planner4 Rayner Street, Leichhardt, 2040Tel (02) 818 1803 Fax (02) 8182008

2. Planning Controls..................................................................................... 93What are the planning controls that apply to Fernhill?2.1 Zoning and Land Use2.2 Access from the Highway for additional uses2.3 Subdivision2.4 Heritage controls2.5 Special consideration for heritage items

3. Uses and needs in the area :................ 96


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Uses that are permitted with the consent of the Council include hotels (whichincludes guesthouses, or other guest accommodation), refreshment rooms

2. Planning controls

What are the pla,nning controls that apply to Fernhil/?

2.1 Zoning and land useFernhill Is within the Rural 1(b) under Blaxland Interim Development OrderNO.1. .

The land use table for this zone is shown below. It which sets out whatdevelopment may carried out without consent, with consent of the Council,with consent of the Council and the Department, and development whichmay not be carried out.

In summary, agriculture and forestry are permissible without consent;commercial premises. residential buildings. roadside stalls, shops andwarehouses are not permitted.

UseFemhilf ConseNation porlCY

Use

1 . A brief history of the use of Fernhill

What uses have been made of Fernhil/?

Fernhill was used as an inn from 1858 - 1873. From 1873 - 1983 (when theTrust became the sole owner) it was used as a dwelling. During this time from c191 0 - c1948 it was occupied by two households, each with their ownkitchen and bathroom facilities, and sharing use of the main bUilding.

The grounds have predominantly been used for grazing, with the timberused for fuel for fires. For a short time, part of the rural land - near the roadand south of the buildings - was used as a nine hole golf course. This usemust have been slight as very little evidence of it is now apparent.

In 1940, the garden near the house was expanded in association withmaking the dam. It is likely that the garden was used to supply the floristshop in Lithgow run by two of the Merrick sisters in order to provide income.

Since the closure of the inn, the property has not been self-supporting.

Since the property has been fully owned by the National Trust, it wasoccupied by tenants (the Murrays, who were also relations of the Merricks)from 1983 -87. In 1988 Fernhill was leased to Old Inns Pty. Ltd. for a term of99 years. A condition of the lease was that the lessee would conserve thebuilding as a bed and breakfast inn. The development did not proceed andno development application for this use was made to Lithgow City Council,and therefore no development consent has been given for this use.

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94

paste in land use table and draw line around zone 1(b)j

1 Letter 2 January, 1990, Lithgow City Council (fan Rufus, Environmental seNices) toChris Levins, Manager, National Trust Properties.

(which includes tea rooms and restaurants), and galleries and museums1. Inreply to a letter from the National Trust enquiring about suitable use forFernhill , the manager Environmental Services of Lithgow Council states:Given that the property is located on the Great Western highway, the impactof any development upon the traffic situation on that road would also beimportant '.

UseFemhill ConseNation POrIGy

2.2 Access from the highway for any additional usesIn discussion with Mr lan Rufus, of Council's Environmental ServicesDepartment, it was suggested that, if additional uses were to be proposed atFernhill, the most suitable access for vehicles is on the straight stretch ofroad south-east of the buildings. The present access, on the north side ofthe main building, is suitable only for the use of the buildings as a dwellingand associated rural use - ie. the retention of the present arrangements. Anaccess system that separated the "entrance form the exit might be suitable, ifcarefully designed.

2.3 SubdivisionWithin the Rural 1(b) zone, the minimum area for land subdivision is 40hectares. Lithgow City Council has recently reviewed the subdivisionstandards in rural areas of the City. A draft Local Environmental plan (LEP59) has been exhibited for public comment; it provides opportunities for thedevelopment of small rural holdings at Little Hartley and at Old Bowenfels,within a Rural 1(c) zone. Fernhill is not within these areas. The averagearea of all allotments is to be not less than two hectares and the minimumarea of any allotment is one hectare. Water supply and power supply is to


95

2.5 Special consideration for heritage items

be available to each allotment. The Draft LEP and accompanying DraftDCP, include provisions to 'ensure that development is carried out in a waythat is sensitive to land and environmental characteristics'.

Fernhill retains the same boundaries as its original grant -Le. the presentboundaries are part of the significance of the property; and irrespective ofthe Council's subdivision requirements, subdivision is not desirable.

UseFemhm ConseNation porlCY

2.4 Heritage Controls

Are there any controls because of the heritage value of Fernhil/?

Yes. Fernhill is the subject of a Permanent Conservation Order, under theHeritage Act of NSW. This requires that changes to the property, includingchanges to the bUilding and any proposed change of use, require theconsent of the Heritage Council of NSW.

Lithgow Council is sympathetic to heritage concerns. The comprehensiveLEP now in preparation, and· likely to be exhibited late in 1992 or in 1993,will include standard provisions for heritage. A heritage study has beenundertaken for the urban area of Lithgow, but a full study of the whole of theCity has not been undertaken. The Bowenfels area is recognised byCouncil as being of special heritage value and Council are also aware of theheritage value of Fernhill.

The areas proposed for small rural subdivisions will accommodate 500 -700lots, which is considered to be adequate for at least 10 years. Council areunlikely to consider any additional areas for small rural development for 5 10 years. It is extremely unlikely that Fernhill will be zoned to allowsubdivision in the foreseeable future.

Having regard to the significance of Fernhill , there is little benefit to begained from subdivision. The rural land, excluding the complex of buildings,is only 14.9 hectares,- not sufficient for it to be used independently for ruralpurposes or to be self sufficient.

The comprehensive LEP, will combine all the controls that are now in theInterim Development Order Blaxland No.1 (and changes to it ) and alsoinclude other provisions that are appropriate for the area and have becomestandard practice.

In addition to consent required for any new uses, the heritage provisions willrequire Council consent for any changes to heritage items (buildings andgrounds) which will be listed in a schedule. Fernhill will be included in theschedule of heritage items.

Will the heritage controls allow any special consideration for Fernhill?

It is likely that the provisions for heritage items in the comprehensive LEPwill give Council the power to allow uses, or other dispensation from Council

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5. The future use of Fernhill

3. Uses and needs in the area

5.1 Expressions of interest in Fernhill

Use

1114

No. of expressions of interestUse

Backpacker hostelGuest houseResidence/commercialResidence

Femhilf ConseNation porlCY

Are there any uses or facilities that are need in the locality and which mayappropriate at Fernhil/?

The following is a summary of expressions of interest as at 31 August, 1991.

requirement, that would not otherwise be allowed for example, the Councilmay give consideration to the. Any proposal would be expected to complywith performance standards appropriate for the area and the circumstances;ie. any use would be expected to retain the heritage significance of Fernhill,benefit the conservation of Fernhill, and not adversely affect the locality egoin regard to traffic, noise and other environmental standards.

Total no. of contacts made 15Total no. of declarations received 7

Changes to the alignment and road works have been undertakenprogressively between Mount Victoria and Lithgow for many years, and arevirtually complete. No changes are proposed to the alignment alongsideFernhil/; however it is likely that the road surface will be improved - withoutany changes to propertyboundaries.

What uses have been suggested for Fernhil/?

In 1991, the National Trust advertised for,expressions of interest in Fernhill.

There are no obvious needs for facilities in the area. Tourism is increasing,but is largely a flow-on from the Blue Mountains and travellers going west toBathurst and beyond, and to Mudgee.

4. Great Western Highway

'Are any changes proposed to the Great Western Highway alongsideFernhil/?

Letters were written by the Trust to all of the people who had expressedinterest in Fernhill, as input to the preparation of this conservation policy. A

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2. What do you consider to be the most appropriate users) for Fernhill?

4. Do you have any connection with Fernhill that you think is interesting?

3. What sort ofchanges to the property would need to be carried out tomake it suitable for this use?

UseFemhill Conservation Poicy

All respondents saw the need for some "restoration" but severalmentioned "as little as possible". Introduction of services,especiallymodern bathroom facilities, was thought necessary. Concern wasexpressed at the vacant, and therefore vulnerable state of thecomplex.

All respondents except one mention the age of the complex; itsfunction as an inn; its association with settlement of the Hartley Valleyand the west beyond; its association with Blaxland ; and itsarchitectural interest (intactness).

'response sheet' with four questions was attached to the letter. A summaryof answers to the questions is set out below:

1. What is your view ofthe heritage significance ofFernhill?

All respondents saw public access as essential, further to museumuse, or "soft" commercial use such as a shop/coffee shop, gallery,guest house - significantly all but one respondent mentioned privatehome use as the basis for the other functions.

The respondents who answered this question generally revealed anabiding interest in the area arising from ancestry or personalassociations and regular travel.

Summary of expressions of interestThe people who have expressed interest in Fernhill recognise appear tohave a genuine interest in the place and its history, and are aware thelimitations of the property and its location. None of the people who haveexpressed interest in Fernhill have proposed the introduction of major newuses or structures.

6. Policy for the use of Fernhill

Fernhill is a place of outstanding heritage significance. Much of thatsignificance comes from the present configuration of the buildings andgrounds, and from the absence of major later buildings and other recentchanges. .

The significance of Fernhill is such that it imposes constraints or obligationson likely owners and the use of the property.

The property should be able to be seen, experienced and appreciated.


98

• allow the configuration of rooms to be retained, with no new rooms to becreated. Partitions may be inserted to provide a bathroom within the mainbuilding.

• allow the property, particularly the complex of buildings and the associatedgarden, to be available for inspection by the public, at least once a year, andpreferably more frequently;

6.2 What uses are likely to meet these requirements?

There are three types of use that are likely to meet these requirements;

Use

6.1 Preferred uses

Fernhill Conservation porlCY

The uses suitable for Fernhill are ones that:

• provide interpretation of the place, ego by allowing public access to somespaces, and for by allowing guided tours or displays about the history andsignificance of Fernhill

• allow the furniture and other objects which are part of the significance ofFernhill to remain at the property, including the makeshift furniture, and to beinterpreted to the public occasionally;

• require no external additions to the buildings (main building, kitchen wing,and stables);

• require no new openings to external walls, and no new openings toprovide skylights to the kitchen wing or to the inside faces of the roof of themain building;

• allow the buildings to be conserved and used and the garden to beconserved and used.

1. Use as a dwelling, with occasional 'open days', and use of the ruralland for grazing - perhaps on agistment.

2. Use as a dwelling with small scale associated uses (in any of theexisting buildings) and that allow the property to be visited in the normaloperation of business: for example, a riding school operating in the stable,or for a furniture restorer, or a cafe combined with a small shop in the mainbuilding, or partial use as a museum. Occasional open days at whichgreater access to the buildings was allowed, and at which the collection'could be seen, would be desirable.

3. Use for another purpose which involves the introduction of newbuildings (other than small appurtenant structures that may be needed toassist the function of the existing buildings). To retain the integrity of theexisting complex, inclUding the view from the road, any substantial newbuildings would need to be located behind the stables building, over thebrow of the hill, and screened by trees. Carparking and road access need to


99

6.3 Who might be an appropriate occupant for Fernhill?

The overwhelming consideration for the use of Fernhill is not the name of theuse, but the impact of the use on the significance, fabric and character ofFernhill, and the ability which that use provides to allow the public toappreciate the place and its significance. ~ is a major factor in the futureof Fernhill, for the care of property, and its interpretation to the public, will bedependent upon the occupant - their appreciation (and love) of Fernhill andtheir dedication.


Femhill ConseNation PorlCY

be carefully designed and located so that any necessary screen plantingdoes not obscure Fernhill itself.

Use

I Femhill Conservation Poicy Use

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Fernhill, 1983 (Photos D.Sheedy/B. Lennard)

100

I _

101

10. Major Issues 105What are the major issues for Fernhill, and the furniture?

7. Urgent works : 104What needs urgent attention to prevent further decayor to make it usable?

1. Cultural Significance 102What is significant about the furniture and other objectsin relation to Fernhill?

Furniture and other objects

Furniture and other objects

Kylie Winkworth

Lecturer and Museum consultant8 Yaralla Street, Newtown, NSW 2042tel (02) 5192568

Fernhill Conservation Policy

4. Obligations/ Conservation Policy 103

5. Opportunities 103What opportunities does the significance orcharacteristics of the furniture and objectsprovide for use and interpretation?

6. Condition · 104What works or other action is necessary tocare for the furniture/objects?

2. Evidence of History 102

3. Costs 103Any idea about costs,Le. is there any flexibilityfor conservation/use?

8. Priorities '" 104What are the preferred priorities or sequences ofaction to conserve the furniture and retain its significance?

9. Research and Investigations 105Is any research or investigation needed for any aspectsof care of the furniture?


102

See above..

Evidence of historyWhat evidence of history and people is apparent in the furniture?

There are other artefacts and furniture whose provenance and significanceis not entirely clear. More work needs to be done before their significance isestablished. It is likely that some of the furniture could be disposed of, afterevery attempt is made to establish their date and provenance.

Furniture and other objectsFernhill ConseNation Policy

The original cedar bar, dating from the operation of the 'Australia Arms',remains in the corner of the bar room and is significant as the only remainingidentified furniture relating to this first phase of its operation as an inn.Melamine handles have been added to the front to give the appearance ofdrawers. Family members recollect the bar located under the large beamrunning across the room. The bar is vital evidence of the role of the house asan inn, and it makes explicit the original function of the corner room.

Beyond their capacity to interpret the house and its history, these objectshave an added significance in their context at Fernhill. Many museums arenow collecting and studying Australian traditions of improvisation. But rarelydo such artefacts survive in the context of the place where they were made,less so a house whose, history and patterns of ownership are as welldocumented as Fernhill's. As a result, many assumptions are made aboutthe circumstances in which Australians improvise furniture and domesticartefacts, eg during the depression, when married couples first set up house,on the pioneer frontier and in very basic bush homes. The improvisedobjects at Fernhill have the capacity to change our assumptions aboutwhere, how and why people improvise. As provenanced examples in theircontext of use they can correct assumptions and stand as a reference pointfor unprovenanced pieces. Two of the pieces are of typical forms that arerepresented in museums by unprovenanced examples. The significance ofthese objects is likely to increase as museum collections grow and with theshrinking number of pieces still in their original context of use.

Cultural SignificanceWhat is important about the furniture and other objects in relation to Fernhil/?

There is a group of improvised furniture, and hand made or remade objects,which are highly significant for the history of the house and garden. Inparticular they interpret the partition of the house and the way of life of theMerrick sisters' at Fernhill. When these objects and pieces of furniture areseen in the context of the house and garden they amplify and clarify ourunderstanding of the way the sisters lived in the house and theconsequences of dividing the property. In this sense, aspects of the houseand gardens, which by themselves appear to be puzzling or curious,become more coherent 'and 'readable', when seen in context with thefurniture. Together they emphasise the capable, inventive and adaptablequalities that enabled the Merrick sisters and the Peacock family to live atFernhill.

Furniture and Other Objects at Fernhill

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Urgent worksWhat needs urgent attention to prevent further decay or to makeit usable?

As discussed above, the bedroom seat, the packing case wardrobe and thejardiniere with 'bun' feet. The whole collection, inside and outside, needs tobe surveyed, inventoried and j:>rovenanced with the help of the Merrickfamily, see below under research.

The history of the house as an inn and its partition and subsequent history,right up to its recent neglect, is apparent in the range, style, function andcondition of the various artefacts and furniture. The way of life of the Merricksisters and the Peacock family, and their qualities of competent, selfsufficient ingenuity, is particularly evident in the collections.

Furniture and other objectsFernhilf Conservation Policy

ConditionWhat works or other action is necessary to care for the furniture/objects?

Some of the improvised artefacts need remedial repairs. For example, thebedroom seat made from three kerosene packing cases covered withcretonne, could be recovered in a similar material, preserving the originallayer underneath. The improvised jardiniere with bun feet set on thediagonal, could be made good and reused as a jardiniere. The improvisedwardrobe in the attic could be straightened and put back together.

The improvised objects should be treated with care, but in a way that isappropriate for their style, history and patterns of use. Conventional whitecoat conservation is not appropriate. Practical repairs that extend theworking life of the object areappropriate. In all cases any cleaning and repair work should befully recorded.

PrioritiesWhat are the preferred priorities or sequences of action to conserve thefurniture and retain its significance?

Collate all previous inventories and photos of the collection. Reconcile thelists and, as far as possible, identify what has been lost or stolen, what mighthave been retained members of the Merrick family, and what still survives.List all the objects and furniture, and with the help of the Merrick family gothrough the lists and try to provenance each piece. Once the house is securereturn the objects at Old Government House and Observatory Hill, record thelocation from which they were removed when taken from the house. Identifyfurniture from the Historic Inns occupation and if appropriate or not neededconsider disposal.


104

Obligations/Conservation PolicyWhat obligations does the significance of the furniture impose oncare and use?

The significance of the furniture and its strong connection with Fernhillmeans that it must be kept in relation to the house, that is in situ. The photosof the material at Observatory Hill show how they are diminished whenremoved from the context.

OpportunitiesWhat opportunities does the significance or characteristics of the furnitureand objects provide for use and interpretation?

As identified in the statement of significance. the furniture and objects, whenkept in context with the house and garden, make clear certain patterns in theway the Merricks and Peacock family lived in the house. While the structureand layout of the house remained intact, there was a richly inventive traditionof adapting available materials such as packing cases, kerosene tins andold furniture, to meet domestic needs in the house, and aesthetic or creativeopportunities in the garden. This tradition of careful adaptation is also

Furniture and other objectsFernhill ConseNation Policy

CostsAny ideas about costs, ie is there any flexibility for conservation/use?

As stated above conservation, ie cleaning and repair, should be appropriateto the history and style of the object. Improvised objects should becompetently repaired and all work undertaken fully recorded. If the houseremains in the care of the Trust most of the furniture and some objectsshould be able to be reused, or at least left in their proper context.

Costs: Perhaps $1500 for a proper inventory, catalogue of the major piecesand reconciliation of those lost.$1500 should be adequate to see major components of the improvisedmaterial cleaned, repaired and recovered.

Depending on the use of the former bar room, the bar should be placed in itsoriginal location and, with care, continue to be used.

In our view, the Trust has an obligation to preserve the significance of thecollections in the context of the house and gardens and with properinterpretation. During the National Trusts' management of the site thesignificance of the collection was severely compromised by neglect andtheft. However it is not so compromised as to be rendered unusable orinsignificant.

Indeed, as we have argued with the improvised objects, its significance islikely to increase with growing interest in Australian traditions ofimprovisation. The Trust has an opportunity to make amends for previouserrors by restoring the significance of the house through proper care andinterpretation.


105

For visitors looking at the artefacts at Fernhill this is a rare opportunity to seewhat are now highly collectable improvised objects in the context in whichthey were made and used, a context which contradicts many of theassumptions we have about this material and where it was made and used.

reflected in the later structures around the house, the timber kitchen andbathroom wing, and the fibro· bathroom. This agglomeration is the veryreason the house has survived without major alteration. It is vital that theseelements of the house and its artefacts are kept to explain the history andremarkable survival of Fernhill.

Major issuesWhat are the major issues for Fernhil/, and for the furniture?

For the furniture the major issue is ensuring its survival in context with thehouse. This has implications for the decisions about the future use ofFernhill.

Furniture and other objectsFernhill Conservation Policy

Research and InvestigationsIs any research or investigation needed for any aspects of care of furniture?

There needs to be a proper inventory of the furniture and objects, reconcilingthe various lists and determining what has been lost or stolen or removed.The provenance of the objects should be recorded or clarified throughdiscussions with the Merrick family and those Trust staff who remember thehouse in the early 1980s. This could be done in conjunction with an oralhistory of the house with the Merrick family.

All photographs of the house and collections should be collated, dated andidentified. The major pieces of furniture should be catalogued andphotographed, listing and photographs are adequate for the less significantmaterial.


I Femhill Conservation Fumiture and other

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1, A classic example of improvisation, abedroom seat made from three laurelkerosene packing cases. A number ofunprovenanced examples of this type arein the Powerhouse Museum. Theillustration of the same form is from thecover of ~~s.bl!1s....a.ndJ:ill.lilil:iQr~!lli:1lQ.e

Furniture and Utensils, published by theNew Settlers of M'arch1925.

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2. Two doors from the kitchen wing showingthe shape of the foxskins where they weretacked to dry. The doors also carry the initials ofthe Merrick children.

Furniture and otller

I Fernhill Conservation Furniture and other

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3. Improvised objects now located at ObseNatory Hill. The jardiniere, a toilet, a magazine rack made fromthe backs of two chairs, a white box for holding toilet rolls and a shoe cleaning container. Left in thiscontext the artefacts appear to be unprepossessing and of little interest.

I Fernllill f'fln,I'f\l:::.lir,n Furniture and

4. The timber kitchen and bathroom has many examples of improvised objects. indeed its whole form andfurniture is made in this style.

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5. In the attic is a wardrobe or linen press made from packing cases which was probably built in the attic.Despite rts lean, rt shows great attention to detail and finish. This is similar in form to one illustrated inMakeshifts.

110

other

6. The cedar bar now positionedthe rear wall of ttle tap room,

melamine drawer handles toit appear as sideboard

I Femhiil

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11

Furniture and ottler

7. Improvised garden seatsand tubs showing thecontinuity of improvisedsolutions from inside and out


Femhill Conservation

8. Side verandah and early coloninal table modified.

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113

114

6. Research or investigation need for interpretation 119

7. Major issues for Fernhill and for its interpretation? 119

2. Condition : 116What works or other action is necessary to care forareas/aspects worthy of intrepretation?

, Interpretation

Interpretation and museums

Kylie Winkworth

Lecturer and Museum consultant8 Yaralla Street, Newtown, NSW 2042tel (02) 5192568


1. Cultural significance 115What is the significance of fernhill in terms of interpretation?What areas or aspects are primarily suited to, or worthy ofinterpretation?

3. Urgent works 116What are the preferred priorities or sequences of action,to interpret Fernhill?

4. Obligations for Interpretation Policy 117What obligations do the interpretative values of Fernhillimpose? On changes to the buildings or new development?How can the significance of Fernhill be conveyed to visitors?Is a museum an appropriate use? What kind of museum ordisplay?

5. Opportunities 117What opportunities does Fernhill provide for interpretation?What aspects or features are likely to be of greatest interest?What are the tourism opportunities for Fernhill?


115

As an inn, Fernhill and its outbuildings represent the peak in thedevelopment of the form. Fernhill was the last inn of its type to be built atBowenfels. Interpretation of the form of the building explains the appearanceand location of a chain of historic buildings seen during the drive across themountains and down to Lithgow. From 1830 to 1860 there were at least thirtyinns built from Bowenfels to the Sydney side of the Blue Mountains. Thediscovery of gold provided a last spurt in building inns, all located to meetthe demands of travellers going to the goldfields. Fernhill and itsoutbuildings are perhaps the best surviving example. Its position, quality,design, scale and layout all interpret aspects of the journey across themountains, the need to revive the horses and find accommodation.

Interpretation and Museums

Cultural SignificanceWhat is the significance of Fernhill in terms of interpretation?

What areas or aspects are particularly suited to, or worthy of interpretation?

Fernhill has great significance in its [potential?] capacity to interpret the earlyhistory of the Great Western Highway, the pattern of settlement, the form ofinns and the history and past experience of travelling along the road.

John Blackman who built Fernhill, is also significant for pioneering areas tothe west such as Orange, formerly Blackman's Swamp. His brother James issaid to be the first European in the Mudgee area. The family has pioneeringlinks radiating out from Fernhill to the Hawkesbury and the Castlereagh .River and to many places in the immediate vicinity. Their history and linksacross the Central West of NSW form a fascinating case study of explorationand settlement. .

Fernhill and the road that bends around the property, are our lastconnections with the past experience of travelling on this road. The ease ofthe trip today is a potent coritrast with the scale and tribulations of travelbefore the motor car. As a focus for interpretation this subject has thecapacity to enliven the experience of driving on the Highway and to informthe travellers' understanding of the bUildings seen along the way.

Once travellers have stopped to look at Fernhill there is much about itsbuildings and their evolution, its occupants and gardens that interprets itsown history and reflects on wider themes for the history of the area. Theopportunities for interpretation at Fernhill are almost unlimited. Earliersections on the furniture, bUilding and gardens highlight the capacity of thesite to interpret itself. Other themes and aspects are further discussed below.

The process of bUilding Fernhill is remarkably well documented throughpapers in the Mitchell Library. These form a most detailed record of the costsand tradesmen associated with the bUilding. In the way they detail theelements and features of Fernhill they add to our appreciation of the site andhelp us to see it with more informed eyes. These records are an exceptionalopportunity to interpret Fernhill and to add to the visitors' understanding ofother heritage buildings. There is a great deal of contemporary interest in,and appreciation for, the quality of craftsmanship evident in Fernhill. By

, InterpretationFemhill ConseNation PolicyIIIIIIIIII·

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Stabilise and make good the timber kitchen and bathroom wing.

ConditionWhat works or other action is necessary to care for areas/aspects worthy ofinterpretation?

These questions are answered in the specific sections on the furniture,garden, building etc.

Urgent worksPriorities, what are the preferred priorities, or sequences of action, tointerpret Fernhil/?

, InterpretationFemhill Conservation Policy

using these records as the basis for'interpretation of the buildings, we canmake its history accessible and fascinating to all visitors, whatever theirknowledge of history and heritage. '

The story of the partition of the property and its occupation by the Merricksand Peacock family, explains how Fernhill has survived in the form it hastoday. This could be presented and interpreted in a way that brings thepeople to life and gives meaning to the current structure of the house. TheMerrick sisters in particular are of considerable interest. The stories relatedby members of the family confirm that they were all personalities in their ownright. Understanding their tastes and habits helps us to understand the site.This is of more than parochial interest. Every family has its stories of capableand self reliant aunts. The survival of historic houses all over the country isdue in no small part to the determination of these women and theirappreciation of the heritage value of their homes. It is time the heritageindustry paid appropriate tribute to the qualities and lives of theseremarkable women.

Apart from the larger themes which have been touched on here andelsewhere in the report, all over Fernhill one finds the marks and evidence ofthose who lived there. The heavy doors on the kitchen wing carry the carvedinitials of the Merrick children, and two show the clear outline of fox skinstacked out to 'dry on the doors. The timber kitchen and bathroom have awealth of detail that conveys the pattern of use and occupation in this wing.

As a whole Fernhill has four kitchens which describe changing patterns ofliving in the house and changing designs for kitchens. In this respect it is aninteresting comparison with Susannah Place in the Rocks. This terrace alsohas four kitchens, three of them in the ,one dwelling, and it shows similarevidence of adaptation and changing patterns of use. Kitchens are the mostvulnerable area for change in houses, and only with those in publicownership do we have the opportunity to preserve these areas that speak soclea~ly about patterns of domestic life. Up until recently even heritage bodieshad little appreciation for the service areas of a house and even in the workconservation these spaces have not been well preserved. In this respect theTrust has an opportunity to conserve all of the important aspects of thehouse, including the kitchens.


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How can the significance of Fernhill be conveyed to visitors?

• John Blackman and his family as pioneer settlers of the Central West.

To find an appropriate and sympathetic owner for Fernhill the Trust mustestablish its value through interpretation and effective promotion.

.InterpretationFemhill ConselVation Policy

• The building of Fernhill as told through the accounts and records in theMitchell Library.

OpportunitiesWhat opportunities does Fernhill provide for interpretation? What aspects orfeatures are likely to be ofgreatest interest?

It is likely that Fernhill would find wider public appreciation through thesemultiple uses, than if it was only a museum. A dwelling with an additionalactivities run by the occupants, would be appropriate.

Obligations for Interpretation PolicyWhat obligation do the interpretative values of Fernhill impose? Diagram?On changes to the bUildings or new development?

In the context of the interpretative opportunities discussed above Fernhillneeds a conservation policy that preserves all the evidence of use,adaptation and changing patterns of habitation. This is not to say thatfacilities cannot be upgraded but to make the best of the opportunitiesFernhill needs a policy that values all areas and aspects of the history of thehouse.

To preserve the interpretative significance of Fernhill the Trust must find ause that allows some degree of public access to the site and that iscompatible with the heritage significance of all aspects of the house andgrounds.

Through interpretation of the themes and aspects discussed above andprincipally by ensuring public access to the property.

Is a museum an appropriate use? What kind of museum or display?

Interpretation of Fernhill is not dependent on turning the property into amuseum. There are other opportunities for use and adaptation, such as tearooms, and a series of shops for antiques, crafts, chocolate and-toys, thatwould not preclude interpretation. The corridors, hall and taproom could beused for interpretative panels. The shopkeepers, who ideally will love thebuilding, will enjoy talking about it and pointing out its key features. Thebusinesses could contribute to the production of a brochure, available to allwho stop to take a look around. Depending on the use, one room could beset aside for a display and a .fund could be established through the rent, todevelop changing displays to promote the site, both at Fernhill andelsewhere.


118

• Roadside inns and the journey as it was experienced when the 'AustraliaArms' was in use.

With careful choice of tenants, attention to the quality of the food and shopsand good promotion Fernhill could become a well established resting place

• Improvised furniture seen in its context of use, and evolving patterns ofoccupation in the house.

, InterpretationFemhill Conservation Policy

What are the tourism opportunities for Fernhil/?

The tourism opportunities for Fernhill are exceptional [really?]. Its highlyvisible position on the road makes it a good place to stop for a look around.Many families find this is essential with young children. Other couples do thetrip across the mountains in a day to explore the area and the antique shops.The demographic and leisure trends in Australia point to an aging but alsoactive older group who have the means and the time to pursue opportunitiesfor cultural tourism. Australian history and looking at historic buildings is oneof their most popular leisure activities.

Hartley is currently receiving about 30,000 visitors a year. Many would say itis not well promoted at present. No evaluation has been done on visitorresponses. The ranger says they have a great deal of support in the localarea and are a focal point for family history gatherings. If Fernhill has anappropriate use it should be able to network productively with Hartley andLithgow and jointly promote exploration of the area.

The key to the viability of Fernhill is to provide a range of reasons for peopleto stop. A restaurant or coffee house is not enough on its own to sustain theplace. But with multiple uses, including quality antique shops, antiquarianbooks, the garden, excellent coffee and lunch, good cakes and chocolate,craft workshops in the stables and somewhere for the children to run about,all of this provides a good clutch of reasons for people to stop, whatever theirinterests.

• The history and development of the garden.

In addition to the thematic opportunities listed above Fernhill makesinteresting connections with other Trust properties. When placed togetherthey would make a fascinating display and effective promotion for all of theproperties, either at the S.H. Ervine Gallery, or on tour round the propertiesand at the Royal Easter Show. Both Riversdale and Woodford Academywere inns in their day and the three together would be a good exhibition.Alternatively many historic properties have survived because they were livedin by self reliant, independent women. These women, their character andpersonalities and the houses they loved, would make a wonderful display,possibly at the Hyde Park Barracks. Fernhill, Saumarez, Calthorpe's House,Meroogal the list goes on....

• The Merrick sisters, their personalities and how they dividedresponsibilities in the house and garden.


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Ensuring Public access in any future use

Major issues for Fernhill, and for its interpretation?

Care is needed with signage and the location and treatment of vehicularaccess and parking.

. InterpretationFemhill Conservation Policy

Research or investigation need for interpretation?

Further information is needed on the history and significance of roadsideinns over the mountains. This would be a good project for a history thesis.Many travellers kept diaries of their trip and those in the Mitchell, andpossibly others identified during the 1988 Historic Records Searchconducted by the National Library, should be reviewed to see if any mentionthe Australia Arms. A card index should be compiled of all recollections ofthe journey across the mountains and the roadside inns as the basis forplanning a display on the subject.

Further research based on oral historywith the Merrick family should beconducted to record their memories of the house and their recollections ofthe aunts. Anecdotes, favourite sayings and any other habits should berecorded to help establish the different personalities and responsibilities ofthe sisters.

on the main road to the West. Its location could be made to capitalise on anaudience from both the Central Western region and the Sydney and BlueMountains area.


120

9. Opportunities 124

10. Research or investigations 124

1. Cultural Significance 121What is the importance of the archaeological potentialof Fernhill?

Archaeology

Archaeology


Siobhan LavelleArchaeologist

PO Box 42, Woodford, NSWTel (047) 58 6204

3. Evidence of history 122What type of evidence of history and occupation is likelyto occur in areas of archaeological potential?

2. Components of significance 121What are the ar~as/components of archaeologicalsignificance?

4. Condition 122What works or other action is necessary to care for areas ofarchaeological potential?

5. Urgent works 122Is any action such as works needed to protect anycomponents of archaeological potential?

6. Priorities 123What are the preferred priorities, or sequences of action,to conserve components of archaeological potential?

7. Obligations/conservation policy 123

8. Constraints on new development.. 123

11 . Major issues ~ 124

12. What other action could assist conservation of the 125archaeological potential?


121

Components of significanceWhat are the areas / components of archaeologi~alsignificance?

Areas likely to contain archaeological deposits include ( also see annotatedsketch plans): foundation trenches and underfloor areas of buildings, areasbetween upper floors and lower storey ceilings. The filled water closets/cesspit beneath the stone privy may also contain fill in the form of archaeologicaldeposits and artefactual material. Most of the identified dump sites appear tobe relatively recent (1970s-80s) but may be over earlier sites especiallyalong the gully southwest of the complex. One dump southwest of the stableappears to contain material dating from the early twentieth century.

The roof space within the main building was inspected by the archaeologist.This space is relatively clear of debris 'and does not appear to contain anysubstantial areas of deposit. The cellar was also inspected. It is still open(not filled) and contains a silty clay and ash deposit on the floor withinclusions of relatively recent artefactual material (post WWII beer bottlesand ceramic fragments). The roof-fed cistern also remains open (not filled).The archaeological potential of these areas is relatively low.

Cultural significance:What is importance of the archaeological potential of Femhi//?

The potential archaeological resource for this site is considerable. Thearchaeological potential of Fernhill derives from the overall intactness of thecomplex. The complex and its environs have the potential to be very rich inquantity and quality (usefulness) of archaeological material. It is likely thatarchaeological deposits which relate to the construction (e.g. foundationtrenches) and the occupation (e.g. underfloor deposits) of the buildingsurvive. Associated rubbish dump sites also occur on the property.

The research value ,of these deposits relates to the artefacts and otherevidence they may contain which provides information about the quality andway of life of the builders and occupants of Fernhill - the material residue ofits past inhabitants.

The historical evidence (documentary, pictorial and oral) provides anextraordinary degree of detail concerning initial construction andprogressive information about subsequent developments such as thepartition of the property and its occupation during the twentieth century. Anyarchaeological evidence may be considered largely complimentary to thedocumentary material. Despite the detail and diversity of the historic recordfor "Fernhill", intact archaeological deposits and artefact assemblages mayhelp provide a more complete picture of life at the property and might alsoassist in checking the accuracy of the documentary evidence as well asenabling its confirmation.Each type of evidence - archaeological and archival may considered to beenhanced by the existence of the other.



Archaeology

Archaeology

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Condition:What works or other action is necessary to care for areas of archaeologicalpotential?

Some evidence is also available in the standing fabric of the structures. Thisincludes evidence of the modifications to, and uses of the spaces within thebuildings as well as evidence of accretions/additions relating to particularevents in the known history of the property.

In addition, the former garden areas around the main complex also appearto contain currently obscured, but surviving, physical evidence of theirprevious form. This may include path layouts and surfaces, garden beds andedgings, and the remnants of previous (small-scale) garden structures suchas trellises, frames or other items.

Urgent works:Is any action, such as works needed to protect any components ofarchaeological potential?

No urgent works are considered necessary at this stage. The archaeologicaldeposits may be regarded as fairly stable whilst left undisturbed. It is theexposure or disturbance of the areas which will require futureinvolvement/monitoring. Conservation of the areas of archaeologicalpotential at the present time will be best achieved by lack of undueinterference with their deposits.

ArchaeologyFemhill Conservation Policy

Evidence of history:What type of evidence of history and occupation is likely to occur in areas ofarchaeological potential?

Archaeological deposits may be expeGted to consist primarily of artefacts,comprising broken or discarded utensils, containers or other chattels, alsofood refuse. Other evidence, for example in the standing fabric, may be of aless obvious or more fragile nature and may include features such as"negative" evidence. An example of this type of "negative" evidence wouldbe holes or other fixing points for items which have subsequently beenremoved.

No specific action is required at this stage. It is desirable that areas ofpotential are left undisturbed if possible. If disturbance is necessary due toconservation works on the property, the obligations imposed by the NSWHeritage Act would require the lodging of a Section 60 Application forcontrolled (archaeologically supervised) disturbance. For cases such as thelifting / reinstatement of floors, digging of new service trenches, etc.archaeological monitoring (a "watching brief" ) would probably beadequate. If disturbance was to be of a major nature e.g. large scaleexcavation in or around the major buildings or rear courtyard, an appropriatearchaeological program may be required. This might include exploratory"test" trenches in areas of potential and/or larger scale archaeologicalexcavation.


123

If new uses require major modifications, the nature of the archaeologicalinvolvement may escalate with a concurrent increase in costs, time, etc. In

Constraints on new developmentWhat obligations does the archaeological potential/value impose on theintroduction of new uses?

A major obligation imposed by the archaeological potential of Fernhill andthe existing statutory requirements of the NSW Heritage Act, is the need forarchaeological supervision or other work either prior to, or possibly during,any disturbance associated with the introduction of new uses where thesemay interfere with archaeological evidence.

ArchaeologyFemhilf Conservation Policy

Although no specific works are currently required to "conserve" thearchaeology there needs to be explicit and formal recognition of thearchaeological potential of the Fernhill complex. A policy statement needs tobe adopted by the National Trust and incorporated into any futuredocuments (e.g. leases or covenants) identifying the value of the potentialarchaeolgical resources and ensuring that they are adequately consideredin any future conservation or other essential works on the place. It alsoshould be recognised that if any archaeological works are undertaken in thefuture other necessary actions will follow such as the need for cataloguing,storage and future curation of archaeological artefact assemblages from thesite, possible displays of this material, etc..

Priorities:What are the preferred priorities, or sequences of action, to conservecomponents of archaeological potential?

As indicated above, the the major priority is explicit recognition.Components (the extent of which are currently unknown) will probably bebest conserved if left undisturbed. If disturbance is necessary, action thenincludes appropriate archaeological supervision, monitoring or otheractivities as outlined above.

Obligations I conservation policyWhat obligations does the significance of the buildings /Iandscape/archaeology impose on care and use ?

In the context of future use of the property the archaeological resources ofthe Fernhill complex should be conserved and preserved as far as possible,given that there may be other conserv"ation imperatives requiring physicalinterference with some areas of archaeological potential. This -includesabove and below ground evidence of history and occupation.

Although other interpretation of the property's history may be possiblethrough displays, signage or other presentations, this is not considered anacceptable alternative or a substitute for the conservation of survivingphysical and archaeological evidence. In fact both are desirable, therebyenabling the physical evidence to play a role in the understanding and anyfuture interpretation of the history of the complex.


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Major issues:What are the major issues for archaeology at Fernhill ?

the case of introduction of a ,new bu'ilding for example, it would be desirablethat foundations be above or at ground level rather than necessitatingbelow-ground disturbance.

Research or investigations:Is any research or investigation needed for any aspects of care ordevelopment?

ArchaeologyFemhill Conservation Policy

OpportunitiesWhat opportunities does the archaeological potential/value impose on careand use of Fernhil/? (a diagram, +/or annotated plan is essential)ego Any specific obligations/opportunities, eg associated with essential repairs?

The nature of Fernhill appears to be such in terms of its detaileddocumentary history that a program of separate, specific archaeologicalresearch is not warranted at this stage. Research-based archaeologicalinvestigations are usually undertaken when archival records are incompleteor missing and the history,use or function of the place is poorly understood.For Fernhill this is not the case. Systematic archaeological investigationsmay also be of benefit as an information-gathering exercise where particularquestions require clarification. The type of questions most likely to occurabout Fernhill in the immediate future would probably relate to fairly basicmatters such as the scale, form and nature of currently obscured features ofthe property in order that these may be appropriately and correctly revealedor reinstated during any conservation program. It should also be noted thatarchaeological investigation by its very nature has the ability to obtain orreveal information not available from other sources. Nevertheless in thecurrent context it is considered appropriate for the reasons described abovethat the focus of archaeology at Fernhill should be on recording notarchaeological research as such.

As described above, and indicated on the annotated plans, thearchaeological potential of the property provides the opportunity forinvestigation in conjunction with conservation works or other activities. Asystematic and controlled archaeological investigation may yield informationnot available from other sources which may assist the interpretation of thesite and the life of its inhabitants. This would include some more detailedexamination of the standing fabric, especially of the main building either byan appropriately experienced historical archaeologist or other conservationpractitioner. (All archaeological excavation or monitoring should beundertaken by an historical archaeologist).

Three major issue or concerns:1. That advise from an archaeologist is sought when areas which arelikely to contain are disturbed (areas indicated on attached plan)2. That records are made before and during works so that a full history ofthe Fernhill can be compiled.


125

3. That a practical procedure is developed in relation to archaeologyand the need for formal consents under the PCO, so that records can bemade and advice sought when needed.

What other action could assist conservation of thearchaeological potential.?

The Permanent Conservation Order (PCO), and the requirements relating torelics, effectively mean that archaeological permits are needed prior todisturbance of any area that is likely to contain relics. It would beappropriate to consult with the Department of Planning to devise anarrangement which would simplify this, but nevertheless ensure that all theprocedures are followed. This could be done as part of a amendment to theterms of the pca, in conjunction with a conservation policy.

Other action comprises:• recognition / identification of areas of potential (already largely achieved inthis stUdy/report but requiring adoption by the Trust);• recognition of statutory obligations regarding archaeology;• preservation of undisturbed areas;• archaeological monitoring of unavoidable disturbance;• other archaeological investigations in areas of likely to contain primarydeposits ( relating to construction and occupation) especially in the mainbuilding. These may include "test" or fully controlled excavations;• subject to the results of monitoring of small-scale disturbances,determination of the need for further investigations in other areas.


Femhill Conservation Policy Archaeology

I Femhill Conservation

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1. Physical Evidence of occupationThe present intactness of the "Fernhill"property means that it retains variedphysical evidence of the Merrickoccupation This includes

(i) The graffiti written onto window glassby Merrick children during the earlytwentieth century

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I Femhill Conservation Policy Archaeology

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2. Archaeological Potential

(i) Several "dump" sites are situated on the property, including an early twentieth century siteapproximately 33 metres southwest of the stables

(ii) The foundation trenches around the buildings may also contain archaeological deposits.These artefacts at the rear of the stables probably relate to disturbance of the foundation trendldu ring Hie works undertaken in 1983

I Fernhill ConseNation Policy Archaeology

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3. Protection of

(i) Collapsed floor, room A6. ConseNation works which may interfere with archaeologicaldeposits will require monitoring

Cellar. The deposits and artefacts here are of relatively recent date willl little archaeologicalpotential. The loss of lime plaster on the walls appears to relate to periodic flooding caused bythe defective water tanks near the entry to the cellar.

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I Fernhill Conservation Policy

IIIII Appendices

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" Fernhill"Bowenfels, Lithgow : Description and Schedule of Exterior Works

Introduction :The following schedule describes the buildings that comprise the Fernhill complex, theirconstruction, and the works that would seem necessary in any conservation programme for the site.The drawings are keyed to the detail site plan and key letters are those used in the Sheedy report.

1 '. Main Building

Roof:

Main Roof: DescriptionThe main roof comprised of two' parallel rectangular hipped forms is covered with corrugatedgalvanised iron laid over the original (or earlier) shingle roof cladding. The roof featuresnarrow eaves typical of the construction date; at the rear the soffit is lined with lathe andplaster, but all other sides have lost their lining, perhaps as a consequence of work on theverandah roof. This means the roof space is open to wildlife though none were encounteredinside during the inspection (droppings were seen).

The main roof is trimmed by a fascia to the rafter/joist ends, and sections of the originalbeaded fascia survive. Parts have been replaced with plain square boards. No gutter wasfitted to the upper main roof, the water having been allowed to drain on to the verandah roof.Some sections of quad gutter have more recently been fitted to catch water and deliver it totanks rather than catch it solely from the verandah or allow it to be lost. Where no gutterscollect roof water, the effects of runoff can be seen on the adjacent ground surface and at therear of the building, the rear wall, The box gutter outlets have also been problematic.

Between the two main forms a narrow and deep box gutter catches water and splits theoutflow to both ends of the building. Internally the loss of the original plaster ceilings beneaththe box gutter indicates the difficulties that have occurred with blockages or failure of thegutter lining.

Inspection from the ground and the centre faces of the roof suggest that it is in reasonablecondition, Wet weather at the time of survey prevented extensive inspection and this limits thecomments that can be offered. The short sheets of iron above the dormer windows appear tobe deteriorated and should be looked at more closely.

Apparent Work:

Check over the whole of the roof for sound fixing, any perforated or corroded sheets andunsound lap joints. Check over the box gutter for leaks at the step joints, and ensure there isadequate turn-up, Ensure all hips and ridge flashings are sound and secure. Check overfascias and ensure they are secure.

Ifno evidence indicates the former lining material of the eaves soffits that are currently open,close fit new fibrous cement sheet linings with butted joints to make eaves bird/animal proof.Check quad gutter sections fitted to collect outflow from box gutters and ensure they directwater to tankage or that they spread water suitably across verandah roof below.

Chimneys : Description

Two chimneys vent the four hearths of the front range rooms of the building. Originallysandstone ashlar work, they have been partly rebuilt in brick as the stones in their uppercourses have weathered. Only one section of cornice remains insitu, though others have beenused in the garden as bed edging. The chimneys are apparently unsound and held togetherwith fencing wire.

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Apparent Work:

Both chimneys appear to need disassembly and reconstruction, during which new trays couldbe incorporated without externally visible effects. Any unsound stones should be replacedwith like material if necessary. Original cornices to be assessed for reuse or copies to be madefor use in reconstruction. Alternatively, the chimneys to be reconstructed to their presentcondition with brick sections. Concealed gal.m.s.covers with smoke outlet holes to be fitted.New 20kg/sq.m lead soaker and apron flashings.

Verandah Roof: Description

On the splay corner of the building, sawn rafters and the ridge rolls for the joints in theverandah's iron roof give the shape of the iron roof which is documented in Merrick familyphotos. This roof, the second verandah roof, has been replaced by the present straight roof,which is badly distorted from roof traffic and vandalism. The present roof spans from thewall plate attached to the main roof plate to the verandah plate stretching between the verandahposts.

Sections of the outer plate appear to be those fitted when the original verandah roof, probablyof shingles on a hardwood frame, was replaced by the first iron roof, the curved roof nowonly partly remnant These are Edwardian beaded ex 811 x 211s which are fixed in front of thetenons of the original verandah posts, some of which remain and are distinguished by thesehead tenons which formerly socketed into the old roof plate. This plate was probably asquared beam beaded on its underside, and over which rafters were birdsmouthed and nailedto carry the shingle roof cladding, but none have survived. Later plain sections have replacedthe Edwardian plate, without its beading. Later facsimile posts have emulated the capitals andchamfering of the originals but not their subtle finishing or their head details - the tops aremodern, and the work is not as careful or similarly proportioned. At their base some of theold posts have been spliced or sat upon new concrete bases and this work is nowdeteriorating. The old posts first stood onto the flagged verandah floor over locating pins.

Apparent work:

All three stages of the verandah's evolution are evident in its present fabric. This should bemaintained ifconjectural reconstruction is to avoided and the fabric retain its ability to IIteachll.Priority mus't be given to the original posts, and the beaded plates of the first iron verandah.Several of the beaded plates are anted and/or rotten and should be carefully reproduced. Newfeet could be spliced into the existing posts where these are unsound.

The curved roof to the corner bay must be retained and repaired. Elsewhere the straightroofing sheets to be taken off and straightened if possible and refitted, or replaced bycorrugated gal.m.s. sheeting. Such removal will help work on the main roof eaves soffits.New quad pattern gutter in gal.m.s. to be fitted with soldered joints ( no rivets ), overstrappedand given round pattern down pipes. No. of down pipes to allow for roof in full tank storageconditions. These down pipes to be connected to pipes conveying water away from thebuilding as well as the storage system.

Dormer Windows: Description

Four dormer windows light the attics. Conventional for their type, they have gabled roofs andhad two sash, sliding sash windows. Their sides appear to have had simple beaded T&Glinings originally, later covered with gal.sheet.

Apparent Work:

The dormer frames to be checked over for ant or rot damage and made sound. The windowassemblies to be made good and sashes reconstructed. The tin linings to the dormer cheeks tobe made good, and all flashings to the roof made good or replaced. The completed windowswill need to be painted for protection of their materials. Gutters do not appear to have beenfitted but should be considered for the assistance they will give to the structures' longevity.

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North elevation

The stonework of the building appears to be in very good condition, but there are concerns.Between Rooms A3 and A4 there is a crack suggestive of settlement and this cracking extendsunder the windows of A4. There is acracked stone under the west window of Room A4.There is also some erosion of pointing to the joints, some insect activity in places and otheropen joints. The plinth course just above the flagging of the verandah, is showing signs ofdamp-induced exfoliation, the stone being quite spongy to the touch in places.

The sills and reveals to the windows have been painted several times but there is no evidenceof damage arising from this.

There is also some vegetation encroaching onto and under the verandah flagging, andsettlement and erosion have produced many open joints in the flagging.

Apparent work:

Verandah as above. Check over the flagged floor and rebed loose or unsound stones in likematerial to the original (no cement). Point up as appropriate with lime mortar.Check over allthe stone and repoint to fill ope~joints. secure specialist advice on the stone deterioration.

West elevation

Similar stonework problems here as to the north. Bad erosion at NW corner around old bardoors but this appears in old Merrick family photos so it has been long present. Also there aregaps in ~e pointing of window frames to the stonework.

NB the power pole has been attached to the house via a verandah post and split·

Wall also disfigured by meter box and electricity distribution via surface conduits.

The make-do introduced sashes outside the kitchen door need repair and firming up.

Apparent work:

Stonework as for North elevation. Roofwork as elsewhere.Repair gutters as elsewhere. Firm up sashes and frames providing the room.New freestanding power connection pole. New meter board, with internal distribution boardto be agreed. Retain existing wiring disconnected. Check over flag paving as for Northelevation.

South elevation

The rear south wall of the building has been given a roughcast coating, probably in search ofimproved waterproofness. The tooling of individual stones and the ironing of mortar jointsshows that the wall was intended to be a "dress" rubble wall suitable for its station. Theroughcast has been applied in two coats, a scratch coat combed for the adhesion of a secondpebbledash coat. This is now being lost due to moisture, particularly in the splash zone of theroof runoff.

Later shutters have been fitted, secured to planted extensions of the outer boxframe linings.Lightly made with adjustable louvre blades, these look like"catalogue items". The hangingstiles cover the decorative tooling of the window reveals which was obviously intended to beseen.

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2.

Apparent work:

Repair/reconstruct eaves frame and linings as needed. Consolidate plaster lining to eaves.Fit new sections of gutter (quad to match elsewhere) to fascia repaired as needed and connectto tankage or stormwater evacuation system. Consolidate roughcast as determined necessary.

Repair windows and window shutters.

Investigate back steps and if necessary, rebed stones for safe footing.

East elevation

The east wall of the building has been given a coat of render and ruled to imitate ashlar, priorto the building of later infIll on the verandah. The infIll is poor and has deteriorated after thebreakdown of the roof of the verandah, in way of the water coming out of the box gutter. Anoriginal verandah post remains insitu at the SE corner of the building, and at another point themark of a post base and the mortice for its locating peg can be seen. Concrete topping to theflagging indicates where infIll rooms had been created but were removed by the Trust after avehicle collided with that part of the building.

At the rear of the building, later simple iron covered ways link a later kitchen and bathroomaddition to the main building. These are in poor repair, and the series of tanks into which theyformerly drained have been removed.

Apparent work:

The whole of the later work should be firmed up and put in reasonable order. The flaggedfloor to be checked over and made sound where necessary. All roof water to be conveyedaway to drains or tank storage.

Structural Elements :

Inspection revealed the building to have sustained considerable termite damage and some ofthis is sufficient to give cause for safety concerns. The main ground floor of the building andthe ceiling/attic floor structure have been attacked to the extent that the floor in one groundfloor room has collapsed (A6), the main bearer of the floor over the cellar (A20) is effectivelyhollowed,and the front attics (A14,15,16) are settling into the ceiling joists that support them.Some members were completely eaten.Inspection did not reveal such extensive attack in theroof structure,but further more extensive checking must be regarded as necessary.

Apparent Work:

Check over the whole floor,ceiling and roof frame. Replace or "sister" defective elements toensure stability and adequate strength. This must be done with maximum retention of fabricand minimum disturbance of vis.ible fabric. In the case of the attics, this may involve theinsertion of new steel DB or RH sections to avoid opening up floors or ceilings.

Drainage:

A complete new drainage system needs to be installed for evacuation/storage of stormwaterand evacuation of sewer wastes.

The Kitchen Wing

Roof and Spouting:

Main Roof: Description

The present roof of this building is of corrugated iron sheering, at what appears to be anunusually low pitch for a building of its date, style, and the original cladding of shingles, but

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the form and pitch of an earlier, original roof is revealed by the former flashing line of corbelbricks discernible on the chimney. The present roof appears to have been a replacement of thederelict original shingled and steeply-pitched roof, which unlike many of its type did notsuccumb to fire but survived until the 1930's when it was replaced (see Sheedy).

The sheeting has been damaged by falling limbs from overhanging trees, and what may havebeen heavy-footed traffic similar to the main roof. There is much accumulated falling leafmaterial. The roofwater is no longer collected, there being no gutters or linings to the boxedeaves, and the tanks which must have received the water have collapsed and the ironremoved, leaving the collapsed timber tank stands.

Until close checking of the roof frame it is not possible to comment on its soundness, but it issuggested that this roof be retained and made serviceable, and that it is simply not necessary,in conservation terms, to reconstruct the original roof profile and material - which would ofcourse cost much more.

Apparent Work:

Check over the whole roof for soundness of supporting frame, roof sheets and fIxing. Retainand straighten sheets for refIxing where possible, or refIx similar sheets, using fIxings tomatch the existing. Reuse or fIt similar hip and ridge flashings. Reconstruct boxed eavelinings to site and documentary references, and install new gutters, directing roof water toreconstructed iron tanking and stormwater disposal system.

(Note: any tree limbs imperilling the roof to be considered for removal )

Chimney: Description

One large brick "blade" chimney (wide and shallow) serves the hearthes and ovens of B1 andB2. Some collapse of brickwork has occurred at the top and the pointing of the remainder willneed to be gone over, as will the lead flashings at the base.

Apparent Work:

Check over and dismantle/rebuild/repoint the chimney brickwork. Documentary evidence(photographs) may be available to assist and should be consulted before any work actuallyproceeds. Ensure sound flashing to the roof (soakers and aprons), and build in concealed anddrained covers (m.s.) to reduce the size of the smoke holes open and allowing rainpenetration.


The verandah roof has already been subject to substantial rebuilding and now needs workagain. At least two periods of framing - with mixtures of sawn timber and bush poles can beseen, and further difficulties in interpretation may have been introduced by reconstruction inthe 1983 works. An informal enclosure of the verandah (marked B6 on the Sheedy plans) hasbeen removed. The stability of the structure is poor because the verandah posts themselvesare unstable at their bases; the posts are now stepped outside the line of the flagging, andthere is deterioration of their lower sections.

Although there are some gutter brackets still secured to the verandah plate, there are nogutters currently fItted and as thy roof is receiving runoff from the main roof as well, a fairdeluge must be travelling across the roof and spilling onto the courtyard during rainy weather.That section of the verandah which links the main building to the kitchen wing via the laterbathroom (B4) is poorly framed in an adhoc manner and needs to be carefully reassembledand judiciously strengthened.

Apparent Work:

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Carefully remove sheering and firm up the whole roof frame, refix iron after repairs, withextra sheets as needed. Fix new gutters and downpipes and connect to reconstructed watertanks and the new stormwater disposal system.

Elevations :

Substantial repairs were carried out to the southern end of the building in 1983, and these arecovered in photographs held by the Trust. The south eastern corner was virtuallyreassembled from the ground up. Apart from the topography of the site at that point, thefailure of the roof drainage system would no doubt have contributed to the collapse, and thecycle of moisture circulation established has continued to damage the walls of the building.

The western wall which receives prolonged afternoon sun, is near to collapse in severallocations where the erosion of joints and fretting away of individual bricks have created largeholes, allowing the fill beneath the internal brick paved floor of the kitchen to escape anddestabilise that floor. This has all been exacerbated by the growth of naturally seeded plants,now obscuring the western wall from close inspection. Ground levels have also risen.

The north wall of the kitchen wing is obscured from view and the sun by the later bathroomand toilet (B4 and B5) and a considerable amount of rubbish has built up in the gap betweenthe two, explaining the apparent effects of moisture on the inside face of the wall.

With the exception of the window in the south wall, which was reconstructed in the 1983work, all the doors and windows need careful going over and "invisible mending." Anenclosure on the east verandah has been removed and its presence is only detectable in thepaint line remaining on the wall surface.

Apparent Work:

Remove all vegetation growing on or near the building, as directed.,

Assess the brickwork of all walls, and expose those areas of the foundations where crackingsuggests failure or settlement. Determine those locations where dampness has destabilisedindividual bricks and the walls generally, and sequentially cut out and rebuild the walls withsuitable lime mortar. Prop and strut as necessary to ensure the stability of the sound areas ofthe walls. Repair openings, heads and lintels, to ensure all is sound.

Clean out all rubbish from between the north wall of the kitchen and the adjoining bathroom( if this latter building is to be removed, the work will be considerably facilitated ).

Carefully repair and patch-complete all joinery forreuse and building-in again - all doors andwindows to be in operable, secure condition. Carefully prepare for painting (over sound earlypaint) or the application of nominated protective coatings.


The roof frame must remain under something of a questionmark, until it is carefully gone overand the extent of any termite damage identified. Its ad-hoc construction and the apparentlypoor state of repair of the sheeting could mean that extensive rot has occurred in the frame. Ifthis is so, then, as discussed above, it is suggested that the roof should be reconstructed "asis", not in simulation of the earlier lost roof.

Apparent Work:

Check over the whole of the roof frame and make sound. Refasten where required, andreplace any timbers that are decayed or damaged by pest infestation.

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Drainage:

There needs to be a complete new system of directing water away from the building; this canbe achieved in part by rebuilding the earlier system of roof collection and tank storage, andthen by ensuring that excess water is piped away from the buildings to storage (the pond) orto appropriate natural channels for dispersal.

Apparent Work:

Provide new stormwater drains to convey excess roof water away from the reconstructed tankstorage and selected downpipe points. Water to be directed to the garden pond or away fromthe buildings to a suitable natural drainage channel.

The East Wing ( Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry).

Roof:

Roof: Description

The corrugated iron roof of this building is in similar condition to others at the property - thesoundness of its sheets may be confirmed and could allow them to be refIxed and reflashed,so that no great change in the external appearance of the building may be necessitated.Salvaged sheets of corrugated iron may facilitate repairs that are not obvious. Otherwise, newgalvanised steel corrugated sheet roofIng will be required, and this will of course look newfor a time. The stability of the roofs framing may be influenced by what has gone on in thewalls and footings, and the repairs likely to be needed there.

Sections of gutter remain in some locations and it will be necessary to ensure that the buildinghas a complete gutter system, connected to stormwater drains as necessary for complete stormwater evacuation.

Apparent Work:

Check over the roof sheering and treat minor corrosion areas. Replace any sheets with similarlike material (salvage), for overall "uniform" exterior appearance. Inspect all flashings andrefIx if sound. Introduce new flashings where required in gal. m.s. Do not change theexisting details unless it is necessary for the security of the fabric. Ensure that all roof water iscollected and directed away from the buildings, to reconstructed tank storage or for surfacedispersal. Unpainted gal. m.s. quad gutters to be fItted (with round pattern downpipes) wherethere are no gutters or the existing cannot be made serviceable again.

Chimneys : Description

The exhaust of of the old stove is a single round pipe which, if sound, can be refIxed andremain in situ. A new sheet of roofIng has been placed around the pipe as a "collar" and mightbe removable if new flashings to the pipe are feasible.

Apparent Work:

Ensure soundness of flue pipe. Check over the waterproofmg and ascertain whether or not anew flashing can replace the extra roof sheet and sealant.


This simple skillion lean-to forms the covered verandah access and roof of the laundry area.Its condition is as for the roof of the kitchen and bathroom, and its flXings in particular arenoticeably failing. Again its stability is dependent upon the structure beneath it, which is inneed of reconstruction. The roof does not discharge water as it should do, because of itsirregularity, and loose flXings.

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Apparent Work:

Generally as for the Main Roof, but the soundness and stability of the posts and flooringneeds to be conImned.

Gutters need to be properly fIxed and attached with falls to direct water to the reconstructeddrainage/ tank storage system.

Elevations :

Elevations : Description

The bathroom and kitchen spaces are in effect small separate buildings, linked by theverandah which also provides the laundry space. The walls of the two buildings are clad withsimple Baltic Pine weatherboards, which in the case of the kitchen are fIxed to bush poleframing. The laundry area is. enclosed partly with fIbro and partly with vertical lining boards,and there are some sections of corrugated iron sheeting keeping the weather out as well.

The decay of some of the lower areas of the buildings' framing, especially in the the kitchen,has destabilised the whole of the little building and lead to distortion of walls and openings.Weatherboards have become loose and the window sashes diffIcult to operate. This has beenaccelerated by the effects of rain from the main house roof.

Assuming that the whole can be made fmn and sound, decisions will need to be made aboutprotection of the buildings' exterior by paint, or a suitable conservation coating.

Apparent Work:

Check over the whole exterior of the buildings and refasten/make secure the claddings andfIxtures. Introduce new matching sections to complete the cladding where needed, all newmaterial to match the old.

Treat the exterior of the building with appropriate exterior conservation coatings (or paint) as.are nominated and approved.


Structural Elements : Description

The walls of the kitchen in particular must be regarded as suspect and deterioration of thelower parts of the walls must be arrested and repaired. Dampness would be responsible formuch of this and proper roof drainage will assist in preventing reoccurrence.

The kitchen section will likely have to be underpinned with simple brick footings.

Apparent Work:

Check over the structural framing of the building "elements" comprising this wing, inparticular as afforded by the removal/refIxing of the exterior cladding.

Drainage:

Drai!1age : Description

The roof water that is not collected and stored within the reconstructed corrugated iron tankgroup will need to be conveyed away, as with other excess roof water.

Apparent Work:


4.

Lay stormwater drains to despatch excess roof water from the reconstructed tank group to asuitable outlet point discharging into the natural site drainage pattern.

The Stables and Coach House

Roof:

Roof: Description

The galvanised steel roof sheeting dates from the repairs of 1983. It appears to have beenfIxed to new sawn battens fIxed to the surviving rafters and roof frame. No gutters are fittedand it is apparent that the ground splash each side of the gable roof is having a damagingeffect upon the pointing of the stone rubble walls, with many joints cracking and growth ofattached plants also encouraged:

Apparent Work:

Check over the roofflXings and ensure that all sheets are soundly attached. Provide and fIt150mm half-round gal.m.s. gutters to each eave, and direct water into round-patterndownpipes, one at each end of the gutter each side of the building. To properly attach thesegutters (i.e., their brackets) may mean lifting the toe of the roof sheets.

Elevations :

Elevations : Description

The building's walls were extensively repainted in the 1983 repair programme. New boardeddoors were fItted to the stable doorways and to the central coach house, employing newsmith's work hardware. The timber barred window frames were repaired and retained. Thelanding to the western 10ft entry was reconstructed. The natural deterioration of these elementsfuid ul.e effects of wear and tear and little maintenance mean that further works are nowrequired, in particular the careful assessment of the erosion and cracking of the mortar joints.

Apparent Work:

Check over all four elevations for the fumness and security of the mortar pointing. Rake outseverely cracked joints and repoint with like lime mortar to the original. Inspect the heads andjambs of all openings for any settlement cracking, and repoint. Any substantial crackingshould be referred to a structural engineer.

Check over the door leaves to all openings and re-secure; the hinges and fhings of somedoors are loose and distortion of the doors is worsening.

Provide a suitable boarded leaf for the window opening to the eastern end of the 10ft, suchthat no adaptation of the frame is required. Provide suitable hardware to secure.

Secure specialist advice on suitable non-paint protective coatings for the exposed timberwork.


Structural Elements: Description

Tie rods with'S' pattern endplates were fItted in the 1983 works under the direction of theengineer the late Mr. Colin Crisp. These are meant to hold the walls of the building in-situ.

Apparent Work:

Check the rods for tightness and any evidence of corrosion. Inspect the cantilevered joists ofthe 10ft landing and ensure that all is sound.

'.IIIII 5.

IIIIIIIIIIIIII

Drainage:

Drainage: Description

No roof drainage is presently provided and ground levels are such that surface water is not, inseveral locations, directed away from the building, assisting in promotion of damp.

Apparent Work:

Connect the new recommended downpipes up to suitable stormwater drainage directing waterto storage or natural drainage channels.

Check ground levels against the building and ensure that all surfaces fall away from thebuilding.

The Privy

Roof:

Roof: Description

A simple small hipped roof of corrugated iron replaced in the 1983 works. No gutters.

Apparent Work:

Check over and ensure security of the roof frame, and the secure fixing of the roof sheets.

Elevations :

Elevations: Description

The simple coursed rubblework of the walls was repointed in the 1983 works. The building isreally void of any substantial evidence to assist any further work.

Apparent work:

Check over the stonework and rake out/repoint any unsound jointing.

Structural Elements:

See elevations.

Drainage:

Drainage: Description

Gutters are not fitted and it would appear unnecessary and inappropriate to fit them.The fall of ground near the building could be checked and adjusted to direct roof and surfacewater away from the base of the walls and the empty interior of the structure.

Apparent Work:

Check ground levels to ensure all surface water and rain water is directed away from thebuilding and its interior.


"Fernhill"Bowenfels, Lithgow : Description of Principal Interiors and Schedule of Works

Introduction :

The following pages describe in detail the interiors of the principal elements of the Fernhill complex.They have been used as a tool to record features and fmishes, and to assist in estimating the worknecessary in each space and part of the buildings.

.-------------------------------------------....,

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set cornice no ev. of rose

complete original (painted)

intact solid plaster wallpapered

" for skirting NB reveal linings

Main House CA)AlSpace Reference :Space Schedule

later (?) 4 panel door fudged into opening to A2 ; 6panel door in frame withsidelights, i.e., a "front door" into the main hall, all intact; orig. bar doorsloose in room with later 1920s multipane doors in-situ.

orig. 6/6 possibly inner hung sash, outer sliding or fixed sash; intact linings,reveals, some orig.or very early glass, some furniture. NB unusual facepockets

almost complete patch replacement; loose and springy ;attached evidence of lino and paper underlays c.1932

Wallpaper and paint strata; freize strip c. 1930-40

lathe and plaster to larger area - old masonite patches to smaller arearesult of water damage from box,gutter

Stone chimney piece painted with later brick infill for grateFormer bar cupboards stood against wall with later facings.

l1/gpo on wooden base fed by conduit

1 simple pendant fitting to larger part of room

Consolidate ceiling; repair and replace missing section (fp)overhaul sashes and secure with new furniture;new power and lightcheck and repair floor frame and secure existing floor record finishes and refinish

Walls:

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Architraves:

"Fernhill"Bowenfels, Lithgow :

Windows:

Doors:

Floor:

Finishes:

Skirting:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Works Required:

Other:


•

solid plaster some cracking some minor surface damage, wallpapered

4panel original to entry hall A3 ; sunk moulds to hall, simple fieding to A2

Very fine chimney piece with fluted pilasters, "flannel flower" roundels andlater grate and brick infill ; very fme fitted bookcase let into wall against crosshall All - all cedar with with glazed and margined doors, beaded rear linings

"

A2Space Reference :Space Schedule

cracked L& P some loss above window (water damage)

intact original cornice and centre

ll/gpo surface mounted via conduit

intact original complete

carpet fitted but floor is loose and maybe some ant damage

6/6 intact originals, some furniture

flock wallpaper over paint; again, good evidence

centre pendant switched by pull cord

consolidate and patch ceiling, complete corniceoverhaul sashes and fit furniturerepair wall plasterpower and lightclean and refinishcheck over and repair floor

Ceiling Details:

Ceiling:


Walls:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Windows:

Doors:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:


•


centre pendant

1/1gpo fed by surface flex (illegal)

Panelled fc with varnished cover battens


as above

solid plaster wallpapered

Edwardian or later ovolo moulded replacement

Original intact

as for Al, intact original with split rail and later masonite panel

6/6 intact originaJs

covered by carpet square, edges japanned, appears later

as above

fine stone chimney piece, hearth bricked up for later oil heaterbookcase as for A2

check and repair floor frame and flooroverhaul sashespower/lightclean and refinish(?)

Ceiling Details:

Ceiling:

Walls:

Skirting:

Architraves:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:

IIIIIII111II·1I1IIIII

.-


1950s rod centre fitting fudged in with architrave switch fed by exposed flex

later plywood or other sheet with timber scotia cornice and cover battenspainted and fitted over earlier plaster ceiling visible in roof space

painted solid plaster with some cracking and poor cement repairs to area aboveskirting (damp or lowered floor?)


later (1920s?) splayed board, painted

intact originals painted

original 4panel as for other rooms NB split rail

2 No, intact 6/6 I no. fitted with later sashes (2/2)

all modern paint

fine stone chimney piece with oakleaf/acom roundelslater bricking of hearth for grate

later roughsawn hdwd boards with evidence of ant damageapparent replacement flooring fitted at lower level than originaljudging by threshhold

nil

overhaul sashescheck wall plaster and ensure soundness (consolidate rather than cut out?)repair floor with like material on repaired subframerepair door

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Ceiling:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:


c.1920 fc sheet with timber cover battens (varnished) and cornices

1 modern gpo fed by surface conduit (horizontally) from Space A6

2strand flex centre drop switched by modern arch, switch surface flex fed.

later sashes fitted into original frame (2/2)

carpet hiding boarded floor but loose boards discernible and probable antdamage

ASSpace Reference :Space Schedule

c, 1920 splayed board

It

papered solid plaster NB some cracking

intact original

4panel original as for other rooms

modern paper to walls but ceiling is intact to its period

nil

repair floor and frameoverhaul sashesrepair door and architrave where damagedclean and refinish except ceilingpower and light

-II "FernhiIl"

Bowenfels, Lithgow :

I Ceiling:

ICeiling Details:

Walls:

I Sldrting:

Architraves:

I Doors:

Windows:

I Floor:

I Finishes:

IFittings:

Power:

I Lighting:

I Other:

IWorks Required:

IIIIIIII

-

carpet over timber - has collapsed due to ant damage

modern paint over earlier layers NB motor bike pictures stuck to walls

later fc with timber cover battens and cornice

2 strand centre drop switched by pull cord

1 modern 1/gpo surface conduit from Space A7


solid plaster painted

intact originals

intact originals

intact original as elsewhere (4panel)

intact original 6/6

overhaul sashesrebuild floorpower/lightclean and refmish except ceilings

Architraves:

" FernhiII"Bowenfels, Lithgow :

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Skirting:

Windows:

Doors:

Floor:

Finishes:

Power:

Fittings:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:


intact original 6/6

carpet laid over lino but loose and therefore probable ant damage

as above

intact original as elsewhere

later f.c. ceiling with varnished cover battens and cornice


intact paint and varnish finishes

solid plaster wallpapered (modern paper)

ovolo moulded 1920s replacement

intact originals painted

l1/gpo modern feeding A6,A5

centre drop switched by pull cord

Check and repair floor and frameoverhaul sashesrepair door where split near lockpower and lightrefinish other than ceiling

"FernhilI"Bowenfels, Lithgow :

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Skirting:

Architraves:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Other:

Lighting:

Works Required:


nil

centre drop pullcord switched

NB t-hinges to understair cupboard

overhaul sashescheck and repair floorcheck plaster evidence of damp in one cornerrefIx and strengthen stairpower and lightclean and refInish

intact original 6/6

carpet over boards (1940?) ant damage and settlement evident

modern paint

stair to attic built.in at time of construction ( from plaster evidence under stair)partition walls of beaded linings, pine.st.air, NB later use of wall for dart board


later fc ceiling with very thin cover strips (1960?)

mean and painted

solid plaster painted over lining paper with pasted up motorcycle pictures

intact original, NB painted pine and ant damaged, patched with old door panel

intact original

intact original 4panel as els~where

" Fernhill"Bowenfels, Lithgow:

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Works Required:

Lighting:

Other:


intact L&P water damage and some fine cracking commensrate with age

set cornice, no detail

intact original 6/6

solid plaster minor cracks painted

A9Space Reference:Space Schedule

wallpaper to freize, thence paint, onto ceilingwall paper and paper freize c,1940

carpet over boards loose and apparently anted

intact original as elsewhere, painted

intact original painted NB loose

intact original painted

pullcord switch to 2strand centre drop

evidence of earlier colour schemes and repairs near window

consolidate and patch ceilingcheck over and repair flooroverhaul sashesrefix skirtingminor repairs to plasterpower and lightclean

II "Fernhill"


I Ceiling:

ICeiling Details:

Walls:

I Skirting:

Architraves:

I Doors:

Windows:

I Floor:

I Finishes:

IFittings:

Power:

I Lighting:

I Other:

IWorks Required:

IIIIIIII

nil

NB trap to cellar

door to bar lost; external door is a former window opening cut down andfitted with a former principal (front entry door) provenance unknown, fourpanel with bolection mouldings, hung upside down.

sawn hdwd boards (later) with ant damage to frame and boarding

successive strata under modern paper on walls; old newspaper underlay forlino on the floorboards

AIOSpace Reference:Space Schedule

masonite with cover battens, painted

solid plaster with successive paint and paper strata

sections of original remain where not removed for cupboards


Metters Canberra stove bricked in; A.C. flue; 1950s(?) cupboards NBmanual water pump fitted to sink

surface mounted 2/gpo fitting modern; also I No. 1/gpo earlier fitting incorner (fridge point?),

centre mounted 1950s style 2 batten fluoro fitting.

record the room entirely before any workrepair ceiling after further investigationrepair wall finishes and make goodrepair floor structure and flooringpower and light

Ceiling:

Walls:


Ceiling Details:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Other:

Works Required:

Lighting:


Space Schedule

beaded T&G

Space Reference: All(east)

scotia note cut out for hall "uprights"

solid plaster painted - evidence of earlier paint and wallpaper trim (freizes)varnished staff mould at corner of wall at hall intersections

intact original; painted/stained pine anted

intact originals

as elsewhere; Edwardian door fitted to east doorway; ant damage to revealsNB original transom light (three panes) with transfer pattern

as for west end; NB evidence of "uprights" (see Merrick photos)

as above

one pendant drop

ceiling repair (water damage; loose fixings)repair/consolidate skirtingsrepair doorcase in way of ant damage/ splice in ?repair door where forcedrebed loose cracked flags esp. thresholds to A4,A5

intact original with varnish finish some sections loose and ant damaged

painted solid plaster some minor cracking; varnished staff mould to corners ofwall at intersection of halls

sandstone flagging random width laid in transverse courses, some erosion ofbedding evident and some loose stones ; paint finished .

beaded T&G replacement of earlier L&P with some water damagemanholes above door to Altimber scotia

All(west )Space Reference :Space Schedule

intact original

intact originals as elsewhere

modem paints over earlier strata

one drop fitting

check over ceiling fIxingconsolidate wall plastre where requiredrepair skirting (keep anted sections if possible)carefully rebed loose stonesclean and refrnish(?)

•

II 11 Fernhill"

Bowenfels, Lithgow:

I Ceiling:

ICeiling Details:

Walls:

I Skirting:

IArchitraves:

Doors:

I Windows:

I Floor:

IFinishes:

Fittings:

I Power:

ILighting:

Other:

I Works Required:

IIIIIIII

-

painted solid plaster - some repairs, cracking, some mechanical damage

part original which is anted ; part 1920s splayed board as elsewhere

intact original

later fitted 4panel sunk moulded cedar door, with Edwardian leadlight transomsash added

nil

transverse flagging, painted

Al2Space Reference:Space Schedule

L&P painted - original

set cornice - nil other

modern paint over all

consolidate ceilingfirm up door until further decision requiredlighting?refinish?'


Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Architraves:

Doors:

Windows:

Skirting:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:


•

front door is Edwardian door fitted to replace previous ( for daylight?)original frame linings and three-pane transom

Stair to front attics mostly painted/grained pine, with cedar rail and newel;beaded T&0 linings; one baluster missing; coat rail near door to A2

nil but flex travelling to other room

set cornice

NB transfer to transom sash

Al3Space Reference :Space Schedule

original L&P with lining boards to stair boxing/frame

solid plaster painted with modem papers over


intact original

transverse flagging - carried through intersection of halls

as noted elsewhere

Consolidate ceiling and walls where neededcheck over and firm up as possible the stairreplace missing balustercheck floor flags for firm beddingcheck skirting for fixing and antslight?clean and refmish(?)

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

"FernhilI"Bowenfels, Lithgow :

Architraves:

Skirting:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Fittings:

Finishes:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:


evidence ofearlier decoration

consolidate and patch plaster after exterior repairsmake good dormer interiorpower and light?new finishes?

~P all set jointed

beaded staff to dormer egde

L&P painted and papered

beaded ex4" intact originals, painted

intact original ex75mm, painted

intact originalledged and sheeted fmely made door, NB original lock fitted andupside down to suit hand; ex6" beaded T&G linings

dormer formerly fitted with 6/6 sliding sashes, one sash loose in room

original 8" Baltic pine boards T&G now painted under 1950s lino

generally painted with later 1940s(?) wallpaper and freize paper



Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Skirting:

Architraves:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:

Space Schedule Space Reference : A14

modem paint and paper over earlier strata; early finish to handrails

Stair handrail as for A13

as for A14

NB poor recent spackle repair attempts

consolidate plasterlighting?clean and refinish ?

L&Ppainted

all set no other trim except beaded dormer staffs

L&P painted and papered poor spackle repair attempts

as for A14

as for A14

see A14,15

A15Space Reference :Space Schedule"Fernhill"Bowenfels, Lithgow :

Doors:

Windows:

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Skirting:

Architraves:

Finishes:

Floor:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:

II1I1IIIII·II1IIIIIII

later Edwardian sash fitted sideways to replace originals as per A14

L&P papered over earlier paint

carpet over lino over boards as for A14

later cupboard under dormer sill c.1930?


L&Ppainted

set, beaded staffs to dormer as in A14

"

intact original as in A14,15

As for A14 with original lock

as above

takeoff from light bayonet

ceiling bayonet

consolidate plasterrepair dormer window and trimpower and light?refinish?

II "FernhilI"


I Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

I Walls:

I Skirting:

Architraves:

I Doors:

Windows:

IFloor:

I Finishes:

Fittings:

I Power:

I Lighting:

Other:

I Works Required:

IIIIIIIII

I •


L&P cracked and holed from water damage and movement in roof

intact originals, no hardware, 6/6

NB pencil graffiti near door architrave

consolidate plaster and paint filmsrepair dormer windows and make sashes good and operableNB intact room which warrants minimum interventionand interpretation for "museum" purposes.


set with early paint fmishes

"

L&P with early paint

as for A14,A15 & A16

lost

intact original as for A14-16

intact early finishes visible

Ceiling Details:

Ceiling:

Walls:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:·

I'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

•

"

lost

random width BaItic Pine as for A17

intact originals as for A17-14-15-16


"

"

as for A17

intact old paint and fIlm finishes, including stair

NB nails apparently for curtains

consolidate plastercleancheck over stair and floor for secure fIxingimportant room as for A17


Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Architraves:

Windows:

Skirting:

Doors:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Other:

Lighting:

Power:

Works Required:


•

set joints, early paint fIlms

L&P soome cracking but still all insitu, minor loss under dormer

"

lost

As for A17


L&P cracked but intact

6/6 generally intact but not operable

As for A17

early paint or wash as for A17/A18

Consolidate plasterrepair dormer and overhaul sashescleanimportant room as for Al7/18

" Fernhill"Bowenfels, Lithgow :

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Doors:

Windows:

Finishes:

Floor:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:

IIIIIIIIIIIII111II'II


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Bowenfels, Lithgow : Space Schedule Space Reference: B 1Ceiling: Some evidence of hessian linings but also boarding of floor to loft over

•


"Fernhill"

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Skirting:

Architraves:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

'Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:

Kitchen Wing (B)

nil

painted brick; paint strata intact

nil

nil - window frames pointed into walls

intact originalledged and sheeted door and intact frame

new facsimile (1983)

sawn butted hdwd boards

as noted

hearth and oven backing onto main kitchen

INo.1/gpo steel conduit fed

repair rebuild brickwork over doorpoint up crack in oven structurecheck over floor frame and floorboardscleanrepair door and hardwarelight and power?

~---------------------------------------,

"FernhiIl"B-F{'.·:;.~fc13, Lithgow :

as noted

ledged and sheeted T&0

Space Reference :Space Schedule

evidence of hessian linings and boards to upper surface

limewashed brick; extensive damage due to loss of foundatiQns, rising dampand poor burning of some bricks (salt?)

east window 6/6 intact original sliding sash window upper sash lost and nohardware; west window 2/2 Edwardian or later sashes in ealrier frame.

stone flagging NB settlement in front of hearth (water percolation fromchimney?)

INO. 1/gpo fed by steel conduit as for Bl

large cooking hearth, originally down hearth with later adaptations andbread oven

1 drop pendant

further investigate ceiling and reconstruct best optionrepair walls (and limewash to match old finish or leave?)check over flagging; rebed and point up where neededoverhaul sashes and repair windows, fit hardwarerepair door and frame, fit hardwarecleanpower and light?

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Ski.rting:

Architraves:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:adjacent

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:

I~I'

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJ..

•

" FernhilI"Bowenfels, Uthgow :

central pendant fed via steel"conduits

evidence of former gpo near window

intact originalledged and sheeted T&G door with original or early hardware

B3Space Reference:Space Schedule

later masonite ceiling with cover strips

limewashed brick; later render to north wall against bathroom with extensiveevidence of damp, settlement and decay of individual bricks

nil

nil

small later casement cut into west wall;6/6 sliding sash to east wall fitted with smith's work iron bars bracing windowand wall back to ceiling; commensurate with function of room as store forfood or liquor?

timber floor under lino; repairs needed

limewash to walls and joinery work

secure ceiling, or replace after further investigation (boards on upper surfacemay be hidden by the masonite)cut out and rebuild brickwork (and limewash to match existing?)check over floor and refix flooring if possible (on new frame if necessary)repair windows and make operable and secure.power and light?

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:


• . .

"Fernhill"Bowenfels, Lithgow:

as above

battens

1 no. casement sash

B4Space Reference :Space Schedule

f.c.! plywood with cover battens

very simple cheap trim

various lining papers over fibm, most notably a tile - patterned paper whichwas later papered and painted over

battens

edwardian or 1920s door with glazed panel over triple lower panels

concrete slab covered with vinyl

electric instantaneous type HWS ; 2 No. wooden medicine cabinets;wooden towel rail ; cast iron bath; wire coat hooks

1No 1/gpo next to door with later extnsion lead run from house to replace it

ceiling batten switched by old pull cord ( evidently this had failed)

generally repair and keep all fabric possiblereplace lower sections of pole studs where these have rottedfirm up ceiling and walllini:ngsensure all fittings are secure but do not put in working order

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Windows:

Doors:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:

III

,I

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

this is a simple shed or earth closet - fmn up and stabilise all existing

II " FernhiIl"


I Ceiling:

ICeiling Details:

Walls:

I Skirting:

Architraves:

I Doors:

Windows:

IFloor:

I Finishes:

IFittings:

Power:

I Lighting:

I Other:

Works Required:

IIIIIIIII

Space Schedule

unlined c.g.i.

unlined c.g.i.

earth

Space Reference : BS

III

o

1itV1O~ t-ta..e- rs01'" SOI1E- PoST- I'}b:>oSqi1..-e.~- fbl.:7fl1J?:1~

L/50 r", C> L- e:.:;.

Ono

!>v<;.H "TT f'H>E: R. + Sfa,.J toFL-~ -.je:> \~TS

t-I~~e;~\I~

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Ot= M~e:.R...

t=fTO"T k<>FeR.; Cl

/--,I II et II I

C"j :

C.l

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Z. lJ· f....o IJ1i'"Tt> PI '"Mo- 1-b I-.j" TlU<>:l.$\J12R..Se: 11e:~F ITna::> j., 'b!>

(3,()IL-PI~ 11.,.) Ut0t")DJ?IFfE;:p CQ.0DITi 0f.J)

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0OI-.jVe:.R..TE:::P B.<JT PlETe::l:'J 0 IUti'€1:> + VO<;SOf" Flf'.TV~ FoR.. S1?\11.lh USE..~Ol'{e: ££ MIJ4 A,x~ + MINO~FITnrn:y?

'"r- c

IL_

IIIII

III

I

IIII

La FT fl-CXifZ..,

IFcR..WHILL fI ';. S1F\e:.u;...:;, Bt...OLK...

?1 R..D(..)~O H-ooR... t t...oF-f L.eVE:V

it:> ~c.He:t:>uL-e

flagged .

timber frame fitted with square wooden bars set on the diagonal

facsimile of original1edged braced and sheeted door with beaded T&0 lining(fitted 1983)

timber feed trough and manger and one stall ; bush timber 10ft ladder; harnessrack with one peg left; evidence of other fitments

Stables Block (C)ClSpace Reference :Space Schedule

none - underside of remaining 10ft boards

exposed stonework

clean out and recordcheck over floor for any settlement and evidence of water penetration causingsamepoint up cracks in wallsrehang new door and secure for proper functionconsolidate anted timbers

•II "Fernhill"


I Ceiling:

ICeiling Details:

Walls:

I Skirting:

Architraves:

I Doors:

I Windows:

IFloor:

Finishes:

I Fittings:

Power:

I Lighting:

I Other:

Works Required:

IIIIIIIII

facsimile (1983) doors to this coach bay, with salvaged iron work(?)

Stonework with some brickwork at base

earth

one pulley hanger surviving - hung from floor joist

C2Space Reference :Space Schedule

As for Cl

investigate dampness and make good as possiblepoint up all cracksclean


Architraves:

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Skirting:

Windows:

Doors:

Fittings:

Floor:

Finishes:

Power:

Other:

Works Required:

Lighting:


remnants of feed trough and manger in need of urgent stabilisation

clean outconsider effects of water entry and ponding on floorpoint 'up cracksrecord as existing now

•

II "Fernhill"


I Ceiling:

ICeiling Details:

Walls:

I Skirting:

Architraves:

I Doors:

Windows:

IFloor:

I Finishes:

IFittings:

Power:

I Lighting:

I Other:

IWorks Required:'

IIIIIIII

Space Schedule

nil

nil

stonework

as for Cl

as for Cl

flagged as for Cl

Space Reference : C3

C4Space Reference:Space Schedule

nil - roof frame exposed

stonework exposed

"

nil fitted to structural frames of openings

remnant boards from earlier 10ft floor - NB anted

check over whole floor frame and surviving boards to determine safety.prevent weather entry through openings (fit doors?)

II "FernhilI"


I Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

I Walls:

ISkirting:

Architraves:

I Doors:

Windows:

IFloor:

I Finishes:

Fittings:

I Power:

I Lighting:

I Other:

Works Required:

IIIIIIIII

l:J

P.c.. j- ilrneRoUtJe;D

\ \ lJWNDl<-l~

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l:::>/'qHR.tJOM) K.ITGHe::tJ -r LN.Jt-:lDR..\ ADDIIlONPk..t:t{ 10 S CH e::DtJ~

k£.'i CHAR...AGTeRJ71IC,?'.

£>N!'100IFte.p c. (0(10 (9 ADvrfla...>10 Fk:.tL.lr/((6 -Jotq a:::LUpkff/7~ biF1HG'" PRof'GR..1"1 (ME'iU-I(;.K/PFI:AaXL)

F~IW GDIJo ll!oD ~luti. v~~FLJt..- ~pkif..!G·f1<1.n, l'7kfl o,.J

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1-1


West door 6-panel Georgian door,very fine, reused front door of a goodcottage

Consolidate or replace internal linings ;overhaul door and window sashes and secure with new furniture;new power and light;check and repair floor frame and secure existing floorrecord fmishes before any work

Hessian stretched over bush timber framing

Hessian stretched over bush timber framing

East Wing (E)ElSpace Reference :Space Schedule

nil

nil

Boarded floor laid on joists on ground

nil

Fixed sashes, six pane.

Strata of paint and dirt, undisturbed

Stove on base; fine makeshift pantry cupboard

Rewire to make serviceable (1 point)

II "Fernhill"


I, Former Kitchen

Ceiling:

I Ceiling Details:

I Walls:

Skirting:

I Architraves:

I Doors:

I Windows:

IFloor:

Finishes:

I Fittings:

Power:

I Lighting:

Other:

IWorks Required:

III,IIII,I

I

.-----------------------------------...,

Walls:

Other:

Doors:

Finishes:

East Wing (E)E2Space Reference :

Boarded linings

Space Schedule

boarded linings and some f.c. sheet

nil

nil

ledged and sheeted door

nil

strata of paint


basin in corner; evidence of earlier bath fitting and water heater attached towalL

Check over and fIrm up ceiling and walls ;overhaul door and window sashes and secure with new furniture;new power and lightcheck and repair existing floorrecord fInishes and refInish

Former Bathroom


Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Architraves:

Skirting:

Window:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Works Required:

IIIIII_I

IIIIIIIIIII,I

I

Boards and Asbestos cement sheeting

Laundry tub against wall to south


Consolidate and fInn up generallyoverhaul windows and secure with new furniture;new power and lightcheck over and secure existing floorrecord fInishes and refinish


"FernhiIl"Bowenfels, Lithgow :Former Laundry

Ceiling:

Ceiling Details:

Walls:

Skirting:

Architraves:

Doors:

Windows:

Floor:

Finishes:

Fittings:

Power:

Lighting:

Other:

Works Required:

Space Schedule

Open under roof

nil

nil

nil

Glass louvres

Concrete slab

Paint strata

1 overhead point

Space Reference:East Wing (E)

E3

(Town or District)

OLD BOWENFELS\

Author of T. t'. J:A I<WA

Proposal D. SHEEDY

Post Code 2790Local Govt Area GREATER

T .r

Great Western Highway10km E of Lithgownear the top of RiverLett Hill

(Address or Location)

FERNHILLJAND OUTBUILDINGS,FORMERLY THE AUST:a,.t\.LIAN ARMSINNincluding STABLES,TREES, GROUNDS AND FRONT FENCE

II

i (Name or Identification of Proposed Listing)4/8/75Date ofProposalI

-II

Council 29/9/75(Trust Us,t\PPROVFn rl

Owner and Address

National Trust and MerrickEs tate

EARLY COLONIAL HOUSES OFNSWTHE OLD INNS OF HARTLEY iND'

BOWENFELSMcKenzie:

CLASSIFIED

SEE OVERHBCCommittee

(Trust Use)

SuggestedListingCategory

II

Ilisting sheeting. The former bar room has built-in cupboards with small panedi:,glassdoors while ether door fanlights are rectangular small panes.The kitchen wing: This separate brick wing was probably built at the SaBe time and contailarge centre kitchen with ovens ~llrl fireplace and dining room, and laundry either side alllinked ,by a single verandah.The stables: This is a large rectangular building constructed of rubble sandstone anddressed quoins 2nd ~i~sels. The doorways are spanned by well designed three centred arnhes

. the centr~ one leading to the coach space and the others to stables and feed, harness roomf~it~ ~3yloft over. In the grounds is a stone privy, All outbuildings presently roofedwith iron. The rubble front fence is built from stones of John Blackman's house in theHartley Valley. All buildings generally in need of restoration. There are many finemature trees in the extensive grounds.

IIIIIII

Description

StyleConstructionUseArch itect/sBuilderlsDate ofConstructionPresentConditionHistoryOwnersBoundariesof proposed

Briefly cover the points on the following check list where they are relevant and within your knowledge.

The House: Built as an inn 1856-\~~ohn Blackman who left the property to anephew and whose descendants, the late Misses H. & E. Merrick lived there until1970. It is a single storey dressed stone building with 10 rooms on the groundfloor and four attic rooms, a cellar being under the store room. The doublepitched and hipped roof has a longitudinal valley and covered stepped verandahroof to three sides. Entrance door is six panel with diagonally glazed sideligtand fanlight, while inte~~al doors are four panel. Windows are six paned sashand French doors to verandah 10 pane with margin mullions. All joinery is cedarThere are four fine stone fireplaces, one plain and three with well carved leaf,flower, and acorn motifs. The timber shingled roof remains under corrugated ire

the

barnl REASONS FOR LISTING

I1) A well crafted early colonial Georgian roadside inn complete with fine stone~ and other outbuildings, situated in beautitul grounds.

It: 2) Built by a member of a prominent family of early settlers in the district,II~ buildings have survived virtually intact with superficial alterations only.

~ f-JcJ--J::o:cned.-.1iLtl.--:iJ:Il1.p.o.r.tatl..t-...L:i.tl.JlI:.--i.n-tlu:~:ll<Ulo.-o.t.-Wa;z:s,j.dEwLm1S,,-Jonce--t:lIlJL¥---a...ieI.Z-lILiJ~"""'4l'u:.;t-,--i:1:LIl stretched from Sydney to the Western Goldfields.

IIIII

.----------------------------------------,

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FEeNHILL-fuIZMER

AlJ5TP~AN AF2:MS INN


III

3.0 SJ';i"C:HE~17 OF S:GilIr!C.;rIC::

IIIII

./

~ ,J .. I Significance af 19th century buildings

3.:.1 ine sr~u~ of buildings being a complete :na almostintact wavside inn ccmDlex constructed on a largescaJe and- dating frcm the late 1850's.

3.1·.2 The main building or inn is an excellent andsubstantial example of its building type and 1t wasdes i anea bv a co Joni a1 stonemason and s'cu1 ator ofsome-ncte.-namelv Alexander Binnina, who d~sicneaana built St. Be~nara's Roman Catholic ehurcn-atHartJey.

3.1.3 The former stables and coach house bui1dino is aDarticu1arlv fine examo1e of a functional ~ountr~buildina aesianea in the colonial vernacular traai~:;n. -

IIIIIIIIII·II

3.1.1 Ail :r.e :uilcincs reveal the hiah aearee of :~1ces

and crafts ski1is available at that ~eriod.

3.1.5 The interiors contain many original fittings Jf noteincluding chimney pieces, Juilt-in bookcases anabar frent as well as the former kitchen fittings.

3.1.6 The :uilding group marks the peak in the developmentof wayside inns and was the last built in aowenfels.

3.2 Significance of the property

3.2.1 The extent of the property remains virt~allyunchanced since it was purchased frcm the Crown in1837. -

3.2.2 The pro~erty has remained in the same familyownership from 1856 ~ntil 1982.

3.2.3 liany of the household goods and artifacts remainfrom its use as a residence by the ~errick Familyduring the entire period of their occupation.

3.3 Significance of the landscace and garden

3.3.1 The setting and landscape surrounding the buildingshas remained relatively unspoilt.

3.3.2 Ine gardens are only significant for theirre1ationshio with the occuoation by the Merrick andPeacock Families rather than their Janascaoe desianquaJities or great age. ~

Significance of the 1aLer buildings

3.4.1 These buildings are only signli1can~ for theirassociation with the Merrick ana Peacock Famll1esand :~eir arranaement detracts from the moresigni7icant 19th century buildings.

•

IIIIIIIIIIIIII

!IIIIII

Ct.1) &w6rJ rEl-r. .INVENTORY OF CONTENTS STORED AT FERNHILL, Aill1FIEnDS

Recorded on the 23rd of May, 1990

Room A10 - Kitchen

1. a Kelvinator refrigerator2. a Mettiers stove3. a small table, partacle board top, iron legs4. a small step-ladder stool, iron frame, timber seat5. a roll of linoleum6. two aluminium saucepa~s

7. a china cup, china .plate, glass bowl, 2 knives, 1fork, a spoon and a bread knife.

Room A1

1. a cedar sideboard with five drawers (original bar) ~2. an oak over-mantle with three mirrors3. fireplace grate4. roll of carpet5. a timber step-ladder6. a metal pan

Room All

1. a painted pine sideboard with two drawers2. the horn from an old gramaphone3. two sheets of masonite4. a pair of armchairs covered with yellow fabric5. the bedhead and foothead of a bed6. three rolls of underfelt7. a small timber cupboard8. a small timber cupboard9. a Crysler 25T television set10. looks like the remains of a magazine rack, possibly

constructed from the backs of two chairs held togetherby rope

11. three books named "Googlies" by H.V. Horden, a Frenchand English dictionary, "The Garden of the Nightengaleby M. Aumonier

12. small timber framed mirror13. ~n Edwardian style timber wardrobe with a centre mirr9r

panel14. an old treadlesewing machine15. an old treadle sewing machine with cover16. an old timber bucket·with metal strapping

Room A4

1. an elegant cimber side-table with two drawers andtapered legs ending with casters

2. a small mirror with bevelled edges, roughly oval shaped

9

-III

,I

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Room A5

1. a timber art deco style wardrobe with a centre mirrorpanel

2. three components of a wardrobe, basically Edwardianstyle, timber with a centre mirror panel and a pedimentat the .top

3. a polished timber chest of drawers, 2 drawers at thetop and 2 full length drawers at the bottom., handlesappear to be an immi tation, ivory, probably plastic.This item is marked with a yellow sticker

4. a double bed mattress, pink fabric covered with whitecalico

5. a metal framed double bed base, sprung6. two ends of the double bed, polished timber, not very

old7. a sheet of glass

Room A6

1. three panel timber door2. a timber wardrobe, art deco in appearance3. a vinyl lounge settee4. another timber wardrobe with a centre panel of mirror5. a three-quarter bed base and two ends of timber6. a vinyl armchair, matching settee of above7. timber chest of drawers with three drawers and a pivot

hung mirror .8. timber chest of drawers, three drawers full length9. a kitchen cupboard, timber, five drawers across the

front, two glazed doors in the centre

UPSTAIRS

Room A19

1. a double bed base2. a timber shelf

Room A17

1. the remains of an old timber bed, two beams2. an old tea chest3. five, old kapoc mattresses4. two metals rails from an old 19th Century bed5. a variety of bric-a-brac: old pieces of timber, a mop,

metal pipe, an old cardboard box marked "Miss Merrick,130 Main Street, Li thgow" . The box was the packingfor a Phillips radio player

-IIIIIIII

,I

IIIIIIIIIII

Room A16

1. a timber wardrobe with centre mirror panel2. an old Princess carpet sweeper without handle

Room A14

1. an Edwardian oak wardrobe with a centre mirror panel2. a 19th century chest of drawers, 2 drawers on top, 2

full length drawers on the bottom3. an old timber verandah lounge with folding legs4. timber framed mirror5. a metal and timber bed base6. timber open shelving unit7 . metal and timber framed single bed with four sets of

bed ends, not timber8. a timber foot-stool covered with carpet

DOWNSTAIRS

Room A3

1. is a stand made from a piece of twisted tree branchmarked with a yellow sticker

2. an old folding ironing board with metal legs3. is a timber umbrella and hat stand, marked with a

yellow sticker4. is an armchair with timber arms, marked with a yellow

sticker5. is a drop-side timber table, marked with a yellow

sticker6. is a timber sideboard with two drawers on·top and two

doors below, marked with 'a yellow sticker7. timber open shelves8. is a plain painted timber planter stand, marked with a

yellow sticker9. pair of armchairs with timber arms, padded seat of blue

material10. is a two-seater settee with timber arms on timber legs

with a yellow, floral fabric cover, marked with ayellow sticker

11. is a colour pye Series 80 television set, marked with'ayellow sticker

12. is a timber planter stand, marked with a yellow sticker13. is a timber planter stand, marked with a yellow sticker14. is a timber dining chair15. is a laminex topped dining table and four legs16. is a large rattan fan17 . is . a box containing a variety of china plates, bowls

and other objects18. is an old oil-filled column heater, marked with a

yellow sticker19. is a timber stool marked with a yellow sticker20. is a cane saucer chair with a padded fabric cover21. a pair of cushions

-IIIIII'1IIIIIIIIIIII'1

22. is a timber stool with a fibre glass seat23. is a timber dining chair, marked with a yellow sticker24. is a cane circular foot stool25. is a cushion with a banana leaf pattern26. is a small' timber cupboard, marked with a yellow

sticker27. is a timber stool, marked with a yellow sticker28. is a card table with a green cover29. is a timber frame30. straw broom31. a squeegy mop32. carpet sweeper33. is an EPNS meatdish cover34. is a small elks head, mounted35. is a box of miscellaneous cutflery

Room A2"'Cl ("i'VI'CV\ ,. <) >"1..-

1. is an old pedal organ with the name "Alexandre Pere etFils, 106 Rue Richelieu, 106 Paris"

2. is a timber and vinyl kitchen chair3. is an armchair with timber arms, padded seat and bac~,

marked with a yellow sticker4. is a seagrass verandah chair with arms5. an old timber box6. an old electric jug7. small circular table8. a blue carpet runner9. is a matching armchair to the other10. is a large armchair fully padded with timber arms,

turned front legs11. four feather-filled cushions12. is a bow-fronted glass china cabinet with leadlight

glass doors and side panels, one panel is broken13. a series of fraItted pictures and prints - there are

approximately 25 in number

INVENTORY OF CONTENTS OF FORMER KITCHEN

Room B4

1. a chrome metal kitchen chair with padded seat

Verandah V4

1. a piece of timber-framed lattice2. a home-made storage unit constructed from a set of what

looks like candle boxes, the bottom half of a suitcaseor cabin trunk

3. a timber drawer4. is a timber table with tapered legs and two drawers5. is a shoe stand - a sort of shoe-shine stand


6. is what looks like a bush-built, one seat setteeconstructed of boxes and covered with kapoc padding andstanding on bun feet which have been reused fromanother piece of furniture. There are only three feetremaining and they look like the bottom ends of turnedlegs, cut off to provide bun feet - there is a greatvariety of junk sitting around here, old boxes, oldkerosene boxes, packing cases, kerosene tins, oldlampshades, nothing much of value.

Room B2

1. timber kitchen table painted blue and cream2. is a timber kitchen sideboard with hutch and two glass

doors painted blue3. is a timber meat safe painted blue

Room B1

1. a Halstrum refrigerator2. a modern G.E. refrigerator3. a timber dining table4. a timber wardrobe5. a timber corner stand

the room also contains a variety of old windows andjunk, basically

Room B3

1. a three seater settee2. a cast iron wood burning stove3. two directors chairs4. an upright carpet sweeper, Morphy Richards brand5. is a tea trolley6. is an old Gullromsen radio, a very old piece, probably

c. 19307. is a Crysler radio, c. 1930's - 40's8. is a matching Crysler radio of the same period9. is a treadle sewing machine10. is what looks like one half of the front french door of

the house, one handle missing11. is a refrigerator12. is one half of a timber verandah chair13. is a "Gargoile" mobile oil "Artic" oil can

The rest of the room contains a variety of junk, oldplates, chamber pot, trays, bric-a-brac, one half of apair of crutches, an old rolling pin, broken flowerpot, half a shovel, two old drawers, broken china etc.etc.

c~-s~~ChristoDher Levins


FERNHILL

GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY, SOUTH BOWENFELS

Items from house and outbuildings held In Sydney.

Location: Former Meterology Building, Observatory Hill

1. Small, home-made settee. Contsr. of boxes, covered with canvasfilled with kapoc. Bun feet (one missing) made from the endsof turned table legs. rC?.... \.c--rl3eCC. 7aw~cQ·;-h.i-v", ·,o-!iw-<VACt.'-U-v-kJ

. .Q'X\~}- ~ ~ ~ik~2. "Light of the Age" Arnerlcan Kerosene box.

3. Timber box.

4. Gargoye Mobiloil "Artic" tin.

5. Arnpol Lighting kerosene tin (5 gal.).

6. Dunny-can. Constr. from a disused kerosene tim (5 gal);plywood seat.

7. Storage box - square feet, fashioned like bun-feet. 'Y(al-I.kr k'>( ?8. Box on legs. '\0\~\- f~ ~.~

9. Shoe-shine stand.

10.Assorted 1950s magazines.

11. "The Roxane!' heating element.

12. Tinplate, patty-cake tins (2').

13. Plaster-relief, decorative plate.

14.6 x hardcover books.

15.Ladies' sandle, left foot ..

16.Block set.

17.Chamber pot, porcelain; cream and green; chipped.

18.Melamine egg-cup holder?

19.Rolling pin; timber.

20.Morphy-Richards brand upright vaccuurn cleaner (electric).

21. Commode; hand-made. Constr. from timber box, with padded lid.

We.Q!( tvv>~ / ()<O~'~-Sl...-l GG~~,,-~Q~_ ____..:...~Q.c:. •

-

.2

22. Magazine rack. Constr. from two timber, chair backs heldtogether by light rope.

23. Glass saucer.

26. Pine kitchen si~eboard/dresserwith hutch enclosed bytwo glazed doors; painted blue.

24. Box of assorted china plates and saucers.

W\~ .1v--\'J~

Location: Old Government House, Parramatta

25. Pine kitchen table painted blue.

27. Timber meat safe; painted blue.

28. Home-made storage unit or bookcase. Constr. from boxes andone half of a suitcase or trunk.

29. Oak overmantle with three mirrors.

30. Pedal Harmonium. "Alexandre Pere et Fils, 106 Richelieu,106 Paris"

32. Remains of a bed - two timber rails.

31. Commode chair made from a timber kitchen chair.

33. Two metal rails from a 19th c bed.

34. 19th c chest of drawers, 2 drawers above two full lengthdrawers.

35. Metal fireplace grate/guard.

ei~'~6th'May, 1992.


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OBRN REC O'cnNNELL 1'\\..A·1t'U~ \"'/\UIUJ.,ll, LI1Ut<.l...t1

SCHOOL HOUSBOBRN REC O'CONNELL POST OFfICEOIlRN REC O'CONNELL SHOPOIlRN REC O'CONNELL COTfAGEOIlRN CL O'CONNELL ST THOMAS' ANGLICAN CHURCH GROUP:OIlRN CL O'CONNELL ST THOMAS ANGLICAN CHIJRCIlOIlRN CL O'CONNELL FORME:R HECfOHYOHRN CL O'CONNELL RUINS: PISE CHAPELOBRN REC O'CONNELL . SrAllLEEooB O'CONNELL RURAL:EVNS REC O'CONNELL BATBURST RD WESTHAMOBRN REC O'CONNELL OBERON RD BOLTON VALEEVNS CL O'CONNELL OBERON RD RCMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERYLTG'l OLD BOOENFELS SEE ALSO LOCALITY: BOOENFELS ABOVE

:t- LTG'l CL OLD Bq1ENFELS HARrLEY VALLEY URBAN CONSERVATIOO AREA:

!see locality: Cox's River above

LTGW CL OLD BCWENFELS GREAT WESTERN HWY BEN AVON ETC* FORi'18RLY ROYAL HOTEL[;I'GW CL OLD BCWENF8[S GRl>AT WESTERN HWY E/>lOIl E.'TC'" FOHM8RLY EMU STORE1:1'(;\-1 CL OLD sa~ENF81.s GREA'r WESTERN IIWY N8AR EMOH S'roN8 ClJl.Vr~RT/RETAINlNG WALL

- 273 -

----

cont/d •••

-----..SEE LOCALITY: GUYRA :NE- - ----- - -T'lr;tnn,' ""Tt"V"nT~ ,.. "' .. ,.,....,.,,..."''rro'r,'' """""'.,r-or.'rw"l""l'~"'''''''''' ~nY':""' ..

OLLERA- -f'Ut:V'~

i) National Trust RegisteL COLLect to Januar:y 1988ii) Explanation of symbols: see Introduction 'iii) Private pLoperty is usually not open to the public

GYRA- -VT"",,- r-r

: ! R I ~ I ! I • I r I . I

r-Sv:J I'tt"I ,-r-I""'?i;~t-;>w.; j-~;,.J

•

HARrLEY VALLEY LANIl3CAPE CONSERVATlOO AREA:Encompassing the HaLtley Valley, which is formed by the RiveL !.ett, a tributaryof the Cox's RiveL and inclUding the escaLpments of Hassan's Walls, the DarlingCauseway, Mitchells Pass and tlle line of vegetated hills fLOffi Mt. SugaLloaf tothe Jenolan Caves Road. It is contiguous with the Megalong and Kamimbla LandscapeConservation Area to the south.

LGA STATUSCWRACWRA RECCWRA RECCWRA RECCWRA CLQ'ffiA CLCWRA CL

~ [TIM CL

LOCALITYCCWRACCWRACCWRACOORACOORACOORACCWRA

COX'S RIVER

ADDRESSBLAYNEY-DEMONDVILLE CONNECTING LINEBRIDGE ST CNR SMITH STBRISBANE ST CNR KENDALL STKENDALL STMID WESTERN HWYMID WESTERN HWY OVER LACHLAN RIVERDARBY FALLS RD

BUILDING/SITE/AREARAILWAY ITEMS: SEE LOCALITY: COWRA: STREET ADDRESSESTHE AUSTRALIAN HOTELCOURTHOUSEANZ BANKr..cx:n1OTlVE DEFOrCOMPOSITE IRON & TIMBER TRUSS BRIDGECUDGELO Ha1ESTEAD ETC*

BOLI CL COX' fi RIVER KANIMBLA & MEGALONG VALLEY LANC6CAPE c::a-ISERVATIOO AREA:InclUding the valley of the Cox's RiveL and its tLibutaries west of Kaboomba and Blackheath,and downstLeam to the Kanangra Boyd and Blue Mountains National Parks. The Valleys aredefined by the escarpnent to the east, the Jenolan Caves Road to the west, the ridges withresidual stands of vegetation west of Sugarloaf Mountain to the north, and the BlackRange-carlons Head to the south. This Landscape Conserevation Area is contiguous with theHartley Valley classified Landscape Conservation Area to the north and tlle Jamison andKedumba Valleys classified Landscape Conservation Area to the south.

BLUM CL COX'S· RIVER JAMlSON & KEr::uffiA VALLEYS LANC6CAPE CONSERVATlOO AREA:Including the escarpment edge along the head of the Kanimbla and Jamison Valleysadjacent to the towns of Katoornba, Leura and Wontworth Falls the Narrow Neck, IronPot Ridge and the Coxs River. 11le boundary follows the Cox's River to a pointroughly south of the end of the Kings Tableland and then northwaLds along thetableland to Wontworth Falls. The ConseLvation Area is contiguous with theMegalaong and Kanimbla Valleys r.e:tndscapo C..onservaLion ALca.

JERRINGA TRIBAL BURIAL GROUND RCSEBY PARK

FORMER BANK 01." NEW SOUTH WALESCOURTHOUSE GROUP:COURrHOUSEMAGISTRATES RESIDENCE & FORMER LOCK UPBARBELL CLUBHOUSE FORMERLY MILL

FORHER CBC BANK ETC*Ra-IAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

FLORA ST NORm SIDE CNR SEAGULL•••••• ST ADJACENT TO RIVER

GOULBURN ST 106-8 CNR SPRING ST-GOULBURN ST-GOULBURN ST-GOULBURN STIN GROUNDS OF THE Ca1MERCIAL HOrELRURAL:CROOKWELL-BINIlI\ RD OVER CROOKWELL RIVER CROOKWELL RIVER BRIDGECROOKWELL RD GUNrxYr"iRINGA ETC*

MAIN ST 8MAIN ST

CROOKHAVEN HEAC6

CROOKWELLCROOKWELLCROOKWELLCROOKWELLCROOKWELLCROOKWELLCROOKWELLCROOKWELL

CUL\l\LCUL\l\L

SllVN CLSIlVN

CKWL CLCKWL RECCKWL RECCKWL RECCKWL RECCKWLCKWL CLCKWL ~

ICABN RECCABN REC

cont'd •••- 189 -So :." ~;i

...~...._..~.. ~... ,.~-·_·.r--_III- -r---JI!II~'__#l~'-..~·~.t~\'··-i) National Trust RegisteL COLLect to JanuaLy, 1988il) Explanation of symbols: see IntLoductioniii) Private propeLty is usually not open to the public

-

,. - --.... .. - - - - - -

MELROSE

o

\f

860

THIS PLAN HAS BEEN PREPARED BY SUPERIMPOSING AERIAL PHOTPGRAPH

AND AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE TOPOGRAPHIC MAP (1 :25000).

SCALE 1:3000 approx.

SITE PLAN (FERNHILL)

NATIONAL TRUST OF NSW

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