Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School group including Barham, Church Building and Wilkinson House and their interiors and grounds

Item details


Name of item:	Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School group including Barham, Church Building and Wilkinson House and their interiors and grounds
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Education
Category:	School - Private
Primary address:	165-215 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Local govt. area:	Sydney

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
165-215 Forbes Street	Darlinghurst	Sydney			Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	SCEGGS has developed on the Darlinghurst site since 1900, the year the School purchased Barham. All phases of the School's development are of contributory historic significance to the School. There are two culturally significant phases of the site. The first phase is the grand residential estate of Barham and secondary, the 1900-1926 phase representing the establishment of a major girls' school in Sydney. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan") Barham is the most significant building on the School site for its historic, aesthetic and social value. It has remained the focus of development of the School and retains many of its original features and includes the Moreton Bay figs in the front garden. Barham is historically significant as its associated with the prominent architect John Verge and is one of his few surviving buildings. The house is also associated with the Colonial Secretary of 1837, Edward Deas Thomson, the original owner of the building and founding member of SCEGGS. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan"). The building is associated with the historical development of SCEGGS Darlinghurst on the site and continues to be the focus of the School. It plays an important role in the social development of the School and it's appreciation of the traditional role of SCEGGS. Barham is aesthetically significant for its quality of architectural detail and design. It is representative of early colonial domestic architecture in NSW. Significant elements include original configuration and timber joinery, 1930s light fittings and verandah. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst") The Chapel Building is historically significant as the first purpose built building on the School site. The Chapel on the first floor is aesthetically and historically significant. It has local significance to the Darlinghurst area and is representative of a purpose-built school building. Significant elements include Chapel to the first floor, stained glass windows with the School crest and verandah to the top floor, the original entrance and foundation stone. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst") Wilkinson House: Originally named the Gwydir Flats, Wilkinson House is significant at a local level primary for its historic, aesthetic and social values. In a prominent location, the building makes a positive contribution to Forbes and St Peters Streets and to the Heritage Conservation Area. It is notable for its continuing residential use over the last 75 years and provides evidence of the residential flat building boom of the 1920s that permanently changed the residential pattern of Darlinghurst. Wilkinson House is associated with the early stages of the career of the prominent early twentieth-century architect, Emil Sodersten, and could be, if not the first commission, then perhaps the last remaining of his early buildings in Sydney. As a boarding house, the building has been associated with the historical development of SCEGGS Darlinghurst over a forty year period, playing an important role in the life of past and present boarders and staff. It continues to provide a focus of memories of their time at the school as well as being associated with traditions that contribute to the continually developing sense of the School's identity. Although not constructed to the original level of detail, Wilkinson House is representative of the construction of apartment buildings during the 1920s and of the use of an eclectic collection of architectural styles, displaying references to Inter-war Mediterranean, Spanish Mission and Georgian Revival influences. (Information sourced from Godden Mackay Logan Pty Ltd, "Conservation Management Plan for Wilkinson House") Wilkinson House is significant for its continuous use since it was built for accommodation and for the long association with SCEGGS boarders and their strong attachment to the building as their 'home'. The building has historic social significance for its association with SCEGGS boarders. The building is historically significant for its association with Emil Sodersten, a key architect of the inter-war period in Sydney. Significant elements include original plaster ceilings to the majority of the building and ability to interpret the original apartment configuration, the intact entry foyer and lobby. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst")
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	John Verge (Barham); Harold O Jackson (Chapel Building); Emil L Sodersten (Wilkinson Building)
Physical description:	Barham is a two storey Colonial Georgian style mansion, Built 1833. It is a rendered masonry and timber residence with sandstone basement and tiled roof and a two storey extension. The building was built for Edward Deas Thomson and designed by John Verge. The house was purchased by SCEGGS in 1900 and has remained as the main focus of the School since this period. In general the facilities of the house include administration, boarders dining room, boarders kitchen and laundry. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan"). The house has a verandah to the north and west side with stone stair to both facades. The main entrance is on the eastern side, with an elaborate timber door and fanlight. Originally the main address to the property was Bourke Street, however a drawing, dated pre 1900, shows the driveway entrance/exit from Ann Street (St peters Street) and Forbes Street. The drawing identifies a turning circle to the east side of the house and the drive continues to an outbuilding, possibly the site of the stables. Garden beds have always been evident around the house. The Head of School's Office is built on the south west corner of Barham creating a narrow passage way between the Chapel Building and the Office, built c1910. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst") The Chapel Building is built parallel and to the southern side of Barham, creating a courtyard between the buildings. The Chapel Building is a three to four storey Federation building,c.1906, with later additions, c. 1910 and site. The Chapel Building appears to have been built for purely functional educational purposes and lacks distinctive architectural detailing. It is a masonry and timber classroom block with slate roof. The main door was to the south west corner set a long way back from Forbes Street. Minimal detail is evident in the arched windows to the first floor and decorative brackets to the expressed beams in the Assembly Hall/Chapel. Apart from the Assembly Hall/Chapel, the original interior detailing was very basic, including the addition of a very simple timber stair case. The slate roof and shingled verandah to the north façade add an interesting architectural feature to the building. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst") The Chapel Building was designed by Harold Jackson, brother-in-law of the first Headmistress Miss Badham. Built in 1900 and extended in 1910, it was originally called the Main Building until 1926, and changed when the Chapel was added to the first floor replacing the Assembly Hall. The building is three storeys with an addition on the eastern end built in 1910 for music classrooms. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan") Wilkinson House (formerly Gwydir Flats) is a three storey (including a basement) Inter-War Georgian revival style residential flat building, c.1920. It is a masonry and concrete residential flat building with tiled roof with accessible roof deck. Wilkinson House was purchased by the School in 1960 and occupied by SCEGGS boarders in 1962 and has been continually used as a boarding house since then. It was designed by Emil Sodersten and built in 1926 as the Gwydir Flats. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan") The Building is typical of architect design apartment buildings of the 1920s. The front foyer and its decorative features are of exceptional quality and design. The building is not as well resolved as is presented in the design drawings. Some of the detailing of the brick work and the proposed pan tiles were not built. The main entrance on Forbes Street is used out of School hours by boarders and their parents, otherwise it is permanently locked and armed. The general entrance for boarders during school time is through the southern side at the first floor level of the building and off a steel stair from the new Centenary Sports Hall. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst")
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Barham - The original and significant fabric has been modified to allow for School facilities. Major additions occurred in c.1900, including the laundry and kitchen wing and the Headmistress' wing. The original building envelope has been kept in good condition. Chapel Building - Originally, the top storey was used for boarding accommodation. The building is used for administration, staff rooms, classrooms, music rooms and the School Chapel. The administration facilities and the classrooms were upgraded c1988. Wilkinson House - The interior of the building retains evidence of the original flats through the decorative plaster ceilings and original room layout and the front entry foyer. However the building was not constructed to the quality and detail of the architectural drawing. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan")
	Date condition updated:05 Apr 05
Modifications and dates:	Barham: Built 1833, purchased and extended 1900. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan"). Buildings to the rear and east of Barham have been added with the conversion of the School in 1900. Walkways are connected to the building from the Chapel Building, (which was built in 1900). The shutters to the top floor windows have been removed (after 1936) and the verandah has been infilled c1909-1910. Only a small section of the cast iron balustrade exists. The original configuration and structure of the house is intact and generally in good condition. Original joinery survives in the meeting room, dining room, corridors and main door. The joinery in the corridor has been restored. Additions to the original house include additions to the rear (single storey - storage, offices), the east (two storey - kitchen, laundry) and the southwest corner (two storey - the Head of School's Office). The kitchen has been extensively altered to accommodate a commercial kitchen, however it is in the original 1901 location. The Head of School's Office has been refurbished. The roof has been replaced with terracotta tiles. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst") Chapel: Built 1900, Extended 1910, Chapel addition 1926. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan"). The Chapel Building, originally the 'Main Building', was the first building constructed for School use and the foundation stone was laid in October 1900, shortly after the School purchased Barham. The building was completed in 1901 and in 1910 verandahs were added. In 1926 the Assembly Hall was changed to a Chapel, this included new timber wall panelling and stained glass windows with the School crest. The Chapel Building Classrooms, music rooms and administration area were upgraded in the late 1980s with modern fitouts and partitioning. The original room layout of the top floor is unaltered. The original timber joinery is extant to the windows and doors. A chimney piece is extant in the top floor music room. Early photographs show the top storey verandah being used as the boarder's accommodation and aptly nick-named 'Siberia'. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst") Wilkinson House: Built 1927 (Gwydir Flats), Purchased 1960, Occupied 1962. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan"). The original room configuration, halls, main entrance, staircase and balconies are intact. Only one original kitchen survives I the upper floor, with an original fitout and sink. Other kitchen have generally been changed to dressing rooms/walk-in cupboards. All bathrooms have been altered, but are believed to be in the original locations. Additional door openings have been inserted interconnecting the original apartments. The basement has been altered to create an open common room and kitchenette. Carpet has been replaced numerous times.. Security bars have been added to the balconies and windows. New services including fluorescent light fittings have been inserted. New fire doors have been added in the corridors. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst")
Further information:	Heritage Inventory sheets are often not comprehensive, and should be regarded as a general guide only. Inventory sheets are based on information available, and often do not include the social history of sites and buildings. Inventory sheets are constantly updated by the City as further information becomes available. An inventory sheet with little information may simply indicate that there has been no building work done to the item recently: it does not mean that items are not significant. Further research is always recommended as part of preparation of development proposals for heritage items, and is necessary in preparation of Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Management Plans, so that the significance of heritage items can be fully assessed prior to submitting development applications.


Current use:	Education
Former use:	Residential

History

Historical notes:

The "Eora people" was the name given to the coastal Aborigines around Sydney. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country". Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora. There is no written record of the name of the language spoken and currently there are debates as whether the coastal peoples spoke a separate language "Eora" or whether this was actually a dialect of the Dharug language. Remnant bushland in places like Blackwattle Bay retain elements of traditional plant, bird and animal life, including fish and rock oysters.

With the invasion of the Sydney region, the Cadigal and Wangal people were decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today. All cities include many immigrants in their population. Aboriginal people from across the state have been attracted to suburbs such as Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Glebe and Redfern since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney.

(Information sourced from Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani )

HISTORICAL SITE DEVELOPMENT

Barham completed in 1833 for Edward Deas Thomson by John Verge Architect
St Peter's Church completed in 1867 and St Peter's Parish Hall added in 1873.
SCEGGS founded 17 July 1895 in Victoria Street Darlinghurst.
SCEGGS purchase of Barham in 1900.

1900-1910 Refurbishment of Barham and construction of the Chapel Building (formerly containing the classrooms, boarding house and assembly hall)
1907 Construction of the School Hospital
1925 Construction of the Old Gym Building (replacing the School Hospital)
1926 Dedication of Edith Badham Memorial Chapel
1951 Construction of new tennis courts
1952 Construction of the Yellow Building
1957 Construction of the Swimming Pool
1961 Purchase of 'Gwydir' Flats now Wilkinson House (built 1926)(occupied 1962 for school boarding)
1966 Construction of the Barbara Chisholm Hall (Demolition of Tennis Courts)
1967 Construction of the Science Building
1970 Construction of the Library Building and Additions to the Science Building
1972 Purchase of Begbie Terraces (206-214 Bourke Street built 1872-1881)
1973 Conversion of Begbie Terraces into the Primary School
1982 Purchase of part of Thomson Place behind Begbie Terraces and incorporation into Primary Playground
1983 Construction of the Art Building
1985 Infill of ground floor of 1970 Library Building for Primary and Science
1991 Extension of the Library Building to provide additional classrooms and an auditorium
1993 Purchase of Nelson House (217 Forbes Street)
1993 Purchase of St Peter's Church and St Peter's Parish Hall
1994 Conversion of 224 Bourke Street into the Primary School Library
1995 Installation of demountable classrooms adjacent to Begbie Terraces and extension of Primary to include 226 and 228 Bourke Street properties.
1995 Construction of Centenary Sports Hall (replacing the Tennis Courts and the Swimming Pool) - officially opened 17 July 1995
1995 Completion of Conservation Works to former St Peter's Church - renamed The Great Hall
1998 Completion of Conservation Works to former St Peter's Parish Hall - renamed The Playhouse

(Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan")

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	(none)-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	SCEGGS Darlinghurst has historical significance for its long association and development on the site, almost 100 years. The School's prominence on Bourke, Forbes, and Thomson Streets and its general landmark quality are of historic significance. Barham's capability to be adapted to a school for girls is historically significant and represents the era of establishing schools in existing houses and estates around Sydney. The School's continued use of Barham for educational use since 1900 is historically significant. The Chapel Building is historically significant for its association with the early development of the School and as the first purpose built building on the Darlinghurst site. Wilkinson House is associated with the historical development of SCEGGS on the Darlinghurst Site for its function as the School boarding house since 1962. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst")
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	Barham is significant as its associated with the prominent architect John Verge. The house, built in 1833 is one of the few surviving examples of Verge's work. Verge was prolific during the 1830s, designing many significant houses including Tusculum, Rockwall House and Tempe House. The house is also associated with the Colonial Secretary of 1837, Edward Deas Thomson, the original owner of the building and founding member of SCEGGS. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan") Wilkinson House, built 1926 as Gywdir Flats, is historically significant for its association with the architect Emil Sodersten. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst")
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Barham is aesthetically significant as it still retains many of the original Verge features and details. The quality of the structure is evident in the extant features. The site of Barham was selected for its setting on the hill commanding significant views over Sydney Harbour. The Chapel Building is aesthetically significant for its close association with Barham. The architectural character is distinctive of the Federation period and retains a strong architectural presence on the site. Elements of the Chapel Building are distinctive including the 1926 Chapel and the stained glass windows associated with the Chapel. Wilkinson House is aesthetically significant for its original design intent as residential flats.. The flats are evident through the intact decorative plaster ceilings of he original room configurations. In addition the entry foyer is intact and of very high quality. However the exterior of the buildings has not been constructed or resolved to the q1uality shown in the original drawings by Sodersten. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst")
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The School's prominence on Bourke, Forbes, and Thomson Streets and its general landmark qualities are of social significance. The School has maintained a strong overriding and constant philosophy regarding the importance of the education of young women spiritually, academically and physically for the challenges of adult life and the need to prepare them for tertiary education and professional careers. SCEGGS was the first School of this kind for women in Sydney (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan") Barham is associated with the historical development of SCEGGS Darlinghurst on the site and continues to be the focus of the School. It plays an important role in the social development of the School and its appreciation of the traditional role of SCEGGS. Barham has social significance as a physically identifiable feature of the School's history on the site. The house plays an important role in the current community of SCEGGS. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst"). The Chapel Building has social significance for its association with the School boarders. The building, particularly the Chapel, currently plays an important role I nthe social and religious devleopment of students at the School. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst"). Wilkinson House has been associated with the historical development of SCEGGS Darlinghurst over a forty year period, playing an important role in the life of past and present boarders and staff. It continues to provide a focus of memories of their time at the school as well as being associated with traditions that contribute to the continually developing sense of the School's identity. (Information sourced from Godden Mackay Logan Pty Ltd, "Conservation Management Plan for Wilkinson House")
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Barham is representative of early colonial domestic architecture in NSW. Barham is also representative of the significant work of architect John Verge and for the devleopment of large houses being built in the area which commanded spectacular views over Woolloomooloo and Sydney Harbour. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst") The Chapel Building has local significance to the Darlinghurst area and is representative of a purpose-built school building. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "Heritage Assessment SCEGGS Darlinghurst") Although not constructed to the original level of detail, Wilkinson House is representative of the construction of apartment buildings during the 1920s and of the use of an eclectic collection of architectural styles, displaying references to Inter-war Mediterranean, Spanish Mission and Georgian Revival influences. (Information sourced from Godden Mackay Logan Pty Ltd, "Conservation Management Plan for Wilkinson House")
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Barham: An individual conservation plan should be prepared as the guiding document for the future management and maintenance of the building and its setting. Wilkinson House: a further detailed study should be undertaken to establish the feasibility of the adaptive reuse of this building. It may be found in the future that this building no longer serves its current boarding house functions and change will be required. Chapel Building - An individual conservation study, associated with the individual conservation plan for Barham, should be prepared as the guiding document for the future management and maintenance for the building and its setting. (Information sourced from Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd, "SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan") The building should be retained and conserved. A Heritage Assessment and Heritage Impact Statement, or a Conservation Management Plan, should be prepared for the building prior to any major works being undertaken. There shall be no vertical additions to the building and no alterations to the façade of the building other than to reinstate original features. The principal room layout and planning configuration as well as significant internal original features including ceilings, cornices, joinery, flooring and fireplaces should be retained and conserved. Any additions and alterations should be confined to the rear in areas of less significance, should not be visibly prominent and shall be in accordance with the relevant planning controls.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan	Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012	I301	14 Dec 12
Heritage study

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
South Sydney Heritage Study	1993		Tropman & Tropman Architects		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Anita Heiss		Aboriginal People and Place, Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City
Written	Godden Mackay Logan	2001	Conservation Management Plan for Wilkinson House
Written	Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd	1999	Heritage Assessments: SCEGGS Darlinghurst
Written	Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd	1999	SCEGGS Darlinghurst Masterplan

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	2420747

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