The $500,000 restoration of UNESCO World Heritage site Old Government House is now complete, thanks to generous support and donations.
The National Trust (NSW) acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land (Burramatta Dharug Country) on which Old Government House is located.
The National Trust has now completed an ambitious six-month project to repair and conserve Old Government House in Parramatta. The complex restoration has meticulously restored parts of the Civil Officers and Servant’s Quarters – commonly known as the Barracks – returning this building to its original historic form.
The $500,000 project was made possible by support from a NSW Government Community Heritage Grant, a generous bequest from the late Peter Crittenden, and over $250,000 in generous donations from National Trust patrons, donors, members and supporters of the recent National Trust appeal.
Reviving a Parramatta icon
Old Government House is Australia’s oldest surviving public building and stands in 200 acres of parkland on Dharug land, Paramatta. Built by convicts between 1799 and 1818, the house served as the ‘country’ residence of the first ten governors of the colony, including Governor and Mrs Macquarie, who preferred the clean air and space of Parramatta over the crime-ridden streets of Sydney Town.
The site is not only famed for its elegant Georgian architecture, it also tells the story of the control and administration of the colony and management of convicts – a rich heritage that earned the site a UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2010.
The National Trust has cared for Old Government House since 1967, however general wear and tear was beginning to threaten parts of the Barracks Building, prompting a large-scale restoration project to conserve it.
Bringing back the Barracks
The conservation team worked with heritage trades experts to update the Barracks – an L-shaped building with colonial-era origins at the rear of the house where soldiers are thought to have lived and slept, and which was ultimately given its present form by Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon in 1909 as part of a wider scheme of works to accommodate the Kings School on the site.
The building had suffered from intrusive additions over the decades, so the team made careful changes to reveal the building’s original form and dimensions, repairing doors and windows, levelling timber floors, and revealing two original fireplaces that had been hidden behind by later walls.
Modern updates were also sensitively added, including air conditioning, lighting, and a new kitchen. The Barracks building is now fully equipped to host education classes with local schools, as well as providing a comfortable space for volunteers and a future hospitality space.
National Trust volunteer, John Apter, said the changes have brought about an exciting transformation. “I started volunteering in July 2020, and I’ve seen a big change in the house this year that will really enhance the experience for guests and volunteers. I’ve always loved volunteering here, and when I saw the new volunteers’ room I felt really valued. It’s wonderful.”
In addition to the works on the Barracks, a 200-year-old passageway has been cleared and repaired, once again functioning as an important entry into the rear part site. Visitors approaching Old Government House from Parramatta Park will also notice that an original historic external wall has now been repaired and received its first coat of limewash for the first time in many years.
“Uncovering the past of this building and restoring it back to its proper state has been an exceptional experience for everyone involved,” said David Burdon, Director of Conservation. “We’re really looking forward to sharing this important piece of history with everyone.”
Old rooms revealed
Two rooms at Old Government House are also in the last stages of being restored to their original layout and function.
A small room off the kitchen that was once the bakery, with a wood-fired baking oven, is close to being finalised. The formerly closed-off room will provide visitors with a clearer picture of how large domestic kitchens would have functioned in the early 19th century.
The servants’ room, which was formerly used as an education space for school visits, is also being brought back to life. The room is being returned to its original function complete with furnishings guided by the March 1821 inventory for the house prepared by Major H.C. Antill for Commissioner J. T. Bigge.
A new future for Old Government House
Debbie Mills, National Trust (NSW) CEO, said the spectacular results have been the culmination of generous donations and careful conservation work.
“Thank you to everyone who donated to the Old Government House appeal,” she said. “With your generous support we’ve been able to revive this important UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s been many months of hard work by a dedicated team of specialist conservators, and we are now thrilled to open the doors of Old Government House for a whole new generation of visitors to enjoy.
“The National Trust is very grateful for the public donations and government support that has made this restoration possible.”
Learn more
Find out more about the history of Old Government House and plan your visit.
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