From fairy toadstools to a tribute to a famous weathervane, you’ll never know what you might spot at our historic places.
An offbeat spot for slumber
If you are on the verandah of Saumarez Homestead and happen to wonder why there is an iron bed on display, the answer lies in a former resident of the elegant Edwardian mansion, Elsie White. A devoted fan of sleeping en plein air, Elsie moved her bed outdoors so that she could doze outside whatever the weather. The plummeting temperatures and occasional snowfall during winter in New England prove she was a hardy character.
An unexpected ode to cricket
Fans of cricket might notice a striking resemblance between the weathervane at Golden Vale Homestead and the iconic Father Time anemoscope at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The last owner of Golden Vale Homestead, the Hon. Geoffrey Keighley OAM was born and raised in England and was an avid and talented cricketer. His deep love for the classic game is evident in the replica of the Father Time weathervane he installed at his elegant sandstone home in the Southern Highlands.
An ecclesiastical ceiling
Gaze skywards in the dining room of Harper’s Mansion and you’ll come across an unexpected sight. The ceiling of the room is painted in a beautiful and intriguing design. It is thought the decorative finish on the roof dates back to approximately 1870, when the house was home to Catholic priests. The Irish heritage of many of the religious order can be seen in the Celtic influence of the geometric design, such as the triangles symbolising the trinity.
A tribute to beloved pets
The elegant stone dog statues solemnly standing guard at the front of Retford Park offer a glimpse into former owner James Fairfax AC’s enduring love of dogs. If you wander through the gardens, you’ll discover just how much he adored his canine companions. Tucked away in the grounds is a small graveyard where you’ll find James’ ashes buried alongside his many pets. It is thought that he owned as many as 13 dogs over the course of his life.
An unexpected tongue-in-cheek tale
Look closely at the ornate wrought iron panels at Everglades House & Gardens and you’ll see something you might not expect – a tale of cheeky terriers chasing peacocks around the gardens. The story, which is told across a series of iron panels, illustrates owner Henri Van de Velde’s dogs’ love of terrorising the peacocks that once roamed the grounds. The iron panels were commissioned by Paul Sorensen, the acclaimed landscape designer behind the stunning gardens, who obviously found the dogs’ antics highly amusing.
A peripatetic church
While it may look like it has been there forever, the quaint timber church at Dundullimal Homestead has actually been moved several times. The church was most recently relocated in 2013 when it was driven on a giant truck from Timbrebongie to Dundullimal Homestead. It’s an impressive feat for a building dating back to 1870. At Dundullimal Homestead you can also see a rare travelling organ that was once used in church services by the McKillop family.
A wellness influencer before his time
Saunas and steam rooms are currently enjoying a global moment, however Henri Van de Velde, the owner of Everglades House & Gardens, was years ahead of the trend for heat therapy. The wealthy industrialist, who is said to have once sparred with heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson before his 1907 championship fight in Sydney, had a private steam bath installed in the 1930s house. Built to accommodate his 191cm frame it features striking red and black tiles imported from Stoke-on-Trent in England. Everglades House & Gardens also once featured a swimming pool and Australia’s first private squash courts.
A fairytale brought to life
With its elegant pink mansion, sweeping lawns and graceful formal gardens aflush with seasonal blooms, Retford Park appears as though it has emerged from the pages of a storybook. Adding to this whimsical vibe is the occasional appearance of fairy toadstools in the grounds. These charming additions, known as Amanita muscaria, are toxic, so you can look but don’t be tempted to touch!
A far-away monument with a link to Australian history
While you might be familiar with the places above, there’s a fascinating National Trust place you’ve most likely never heard of… Macquarie Mausoleum on the remote Isle of Mull in Scotland is the final resting place of Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie, as well as their children Jane and Lachlan. The monument was gifted by the then-owner of the estate, Lady Yarborough, to the people of New South Wales in 1948 through an Australian trust. Since 1971, the National Trust for Scotland has worked in cooperation with the National Trust (NSW) to care for the property.
A theatre that was once a bank
The garden theatre at Everglades House & Gardens is a much-loved feature of the property and acts as the backdrop to the annual Leura Shakespeare Festival. While it may be a place of drama, the theatre’s origins lie in a much more formal setting. The sandstone arch which forms the focal point of the stage was once the entrance to the London Chartered Bank of Australia in Sydney. Henri Van de Velde demolished the bank on George Street to build his Art Deco Feltex building, however landscape designer Paul Sorensen persuaded him to move the recessed entrance (stone by stone) and reassemble it in his home in the Blue Mountains.
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