Beulah

Item details


Name of item:	Beulah
Other name/s:	Summer Hill; Summer Hill Estate
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Landscape - Cultural
Category:	Historic Landscape
Location:	Lat: -34.1406109142 Long: 150.7813556340
Primary address:	767 Appin Road, Gilead, NSW 2560
Parish:	Menangle
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Campbelltown
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Tharawal

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	23		DP	1132437

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
767 Appin Road	Gilead	Campbelltown	Menangle	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Beulah Investments Pty Ltd	Private

Statement of significance:


	The Beulah Homestead and Setting (Including Ruins) (Beulah) is of potential State heritage significance as an early colonial cultural landscape which provides a tangible link to the agricultural development that supported the NSW colony through its pastoral uses. Associated with the Hume family, parts of the Beulah estate were under the ownership of Hume descendants for over a century, from initial land grants in the 1820s through to the 1930s. The homestead, access road, bridge, and remnant 19th-century farm elements, together with the surrounding native forest and Woodhouse Creek, illustrate the contrast between the colonial and natural landscape and provide a distinctive setting for the property. In this way the property represents a rare opportunity to clearly visualise the impact of colonisation on the landscape. The site also retains evidence of Aboriginal habitation along with colonial responses to frontier conflict, with the store room of the homestead having potential 'rifle slit' windows. Beulah's homestead and setting is representative of early rural settlement patterns, demonstrating both architectural and environmental features typical of the period. While a modest example of the colonial georgian style, the homestead itself is representative of the typical 1830s pastoral dwelling.
	Date significance updated: 03 Sep 25
	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


Builder/Maker:	Cornelius O'Brien, Duncan Cameron, John Kennedy Hume, Ellen Hume; Mansfield Brothers (1884 works)
Construction years:	1835-1846
Physical description:	former homestead building, land and landscaping. The Beulah Homestead is accessed via the original driveway connecting to Appin Road, which winds through remnant Cumberland Plain Woodland and Sydney Shale Sandstone Transition Forest, with a c.1830s sandstone bridge over Woodhouse Creek. The forests comprise approximately 65.5% of the overall property, with the remainder being cleared pastoral land which combines to create a distinctive setting for the Homestead, and providing floral and faunal biodiversity. The bridge over Woodhouse Creek is contemporary with the Homestead, and is a rare example of a timber beam bridge with stone masonry abutments and hardwood stringer girders which remain intact. The original decking for the bridge no longer exists, being replace with modern timber decking. The stone abutment walls are course rubble with lime mortar jointed using sandstone blocks. Emerging from the natural landscape of the forest, the contrast of the colonial landscape of the homestead is stark. To the southeast of the homestead is a dam, constructed in c.1845, and an area of remnant 19th century planting including peppercorn trees, roses and a date palm. Surrounding the plantings and sporadically across the site are remnant and partially ruined post and rail fences. An additional 19th century dam occurs to the west of the property, further from the house itself. The Beulah Homestead is surrounded by a modern metal wire fence, added in 2015. The house and outbuildings are set within a level basin enclosed in the southern and western sides by the ridgeline and to the north and east by the forest. Only the former hexagonal gazebo (or summer house) is set on the ridgeline, however this timber structure has collapsed and is now considered a ruin. The same is the case for many of the former outbuildings of Beulah, constructed between 1835-1838, including the former timber Cottage 1 and stables to the southwest of the dwelling, and the former cottage 2, which is visible only as the ruins of the stone chimney.. The dairy was located to the north of the homestead group, however does not survive. The homestead itself is a c.1836 colonial georgian single storey cottage with symmetrical faade and double pitched hipped roof which has been reclad in corrugated galvanised iron. The dwelling is constructed of coursed random sandstone rubble, with decorative stucco to eastern faade, now peeling and chipped. It features a timber veranda with stone paving on the north and southern sides. The interior comprises a typical four room arrangement, with two principal rooms and two back rooms arranged around a central hall. It also features four 'strangers' rooms' or verandah rooms, accessed externally, two off the front verandah and two off the rear, with an attached store at its south-western corner, being a flat roofed later addition. The dwelling has three chimneys, two to the north, one to the south, servicing the fireplaces in the central rooms. Cut into the stone of the store is a narrow window, flaring on the inside, with a groove for an external wooden shutter which is not surviving - there is evidence to suggest this window was added as a defensive measure as a rifle slit, associated with the frontier conflicts that shroud the areas history (Gapps, 2019).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	House: derelict, vandalized (National Trust (NSW)). Om a derelict and poor condition overall and large sections of the ceilings and floors have collapsed. The condition of the masonry structures is generally fair to good, although some cracking and bowing of masonry walls is evident. The northwest corner has been reconstructed and various sections of the sandstone to the southern and western facades have been repointed with cementitious mortars (Urbis, 2014, 15). Much of the corrugated iron on the house's roof is recent, with older sections remaining at the north-eastern forner and upper north-western corner. Bridge over Woodhouse Creek: The western headstock has been damaged by termite infestation and has collapsed. The Eastern headstock has probably been damaged as is evident by inspection of the ends but collapse has not occurred. The `second' headstocks are buried and could not be inspected beyond the ends which show some evidence of termite damage. Further exploration would be required to confirm this. The top surface of the stringers shows moderate to extensive weathering forming vertical fissures typical of water damage at the interface between decking and girders. The condition of all timbers is remarkably good considering their age.
	Date condition updated:03 Feb 15
Modifications and dates:	1884 - repairs and renovations commissioned by J.K. Hume and undertaken by Mansfield Brothers, including removal of old kitchen and foundation being laid for a new one, as well as erection of the Summer house. Also during this period, J.K. Hume undertook trenching and fencing surrounding the houseand garden. 1969-70+: Early post and rail fencing was removed and sold for firewood. A plan of the remnant garden by John Tropman in 1983 documents the extant plant material from that time in the immediate vicinity of the house. Collapse of summer house. c. 1980 - fire destroyed some outbuildings, including three water tanks. 2004 - Clive Lucas, Stapleton & Partners, architects and heritage consultants, were contracted by Beulah Investments to carry out a schedule of essential maintenance. The major items in this schedule included the reconstruction of the collapsed stone walls of the two northern verandah rooms; the reconstruction of a roof structure over these rooms; and the replacement of five verandah posts to match the originals 2010-2015: Beulah acquired by MHNSW. Make safe works including erection of new cattle proofe fence to protect homestead, and some repairs to the property including to the bridge and accessway (resurfacing with crushed sandstone following archaeological monitoring). Works also included the installation of new doors and windows to make the property water-tight and meet minimum standards.
Further information:	The Appin area has been subject to frequent archaeological study over the last 20 years... (Aboriginal): Previous works have revealed that sandstone rock shelters and overhangs containing art are the most commonly occuring site type... Four rock shelter sites have been recorded by the Sydney Prehistory Group to the north of Woodhouse Creek. The closest of these was found 400m from the northern curtilage (boundary) of Beulah .The subject site was characterised by areas of high, moderate and low archaeological sensitivity. Areas of high archaeological sensitivity were identified in association with Woodhouse Creek and its tributaries... Areas of moderate archaeological sensitivity were identified across large portions of the western portion of the study area, including the two ridge crest landforms and the associated gently sloping landform associated with the Beulah homestead... (Historical) The 2013 Artefact report categoriesd the property into areas of low, moderate and high archaeological potential. Much was assessed to be of low potential as a large porportion of the land are unlikely to have been suitable for construction of buildings due to the topography of the land and distance from the house. The report identified three areas of moderate potential which include a large area surrounding the house and including all extant structures, the site of the gazebo, which has some potential to contain artefacts and an area including a post and rail fence line and dam which has some potential to include evidence related to water irrigation and farming in the area. The Artefact report reveals there are two areas of high archaeological potential. One is the site of the house and its immediate surroundings, known to include the remains of former structures and underfloor artefact deposits and garden features such as garden bed edging. The second is the driveway and bridge, which are known to include evidence for sandstone and brick road surfacing, and methods of construction used for the bridge and road approaches (Urbis, 2014, 12-13).


Current use:	farm
Former use:	Aboriginal land, early European pastoralism, farming

History

Historical notes:

The Beulah Homestead and Setting (Including Ruins) (Beulah) is on Dharawal land (AIATSIS) in an area of enormous cultural sensitivity. Beulah contains areas of remnant natural bushland and forest, which provides evidence of the natural landscape of the region as well as of Aboriginal occupation in this landscape. This includes a series of ring trees which marked a pathway along Woodhouse Creek, connecting to the Nepean River (GML, 2023)

The region was a place of frontier contact and eventually conflict between local Tharawal and Gandangara people and the colonial settlers, culminating in the devastating events of the 1816 Appin Massacre. The Homestead may hold evidence of this conflict, with ' rifle slit' windows evident in the stone wall of the building hypothesised to be related to the conflicts (Gapps, 2019). The area continues to be a place of sadness for Aboriginal people, and a yearly memorial is held in acknowledgement of the tragedy and the interest of reconciliation (Camden Council, 2025).

EARLY LAND GRANTS, 1820s-1830s

The land comprising Beulah was initially four land grants, given in the early 1800s and formalised by deed in 1823. The lots remain the same to the present day despite consolidation, with Lot 22/DP1132531 (parish portion 71) comprising 30 acres granted to Henry Sears; Lot 21/DP1132464 (parish portion 77) comprising 80 acres granted to Franics Radwon Hume (Humewood);Lot 23/DP1132437 (parish portion 78) comprising 40 acres granted to Connor (Cornelius) Bryan; and Lot 20/DP1132444 (parish portion 79) comprising 50 acres granted to Patrick Pendergast. Homesteads were constructed on both Portion 71 and portion 78 by 1824, although the homestead on portion 78 was the main house by the time the property was consolidated, and may have been on the same site as Beulah (Martin, 2013).

The properties largely did not remain in the hands of the original grantees for long. Connor Bryan left in 1817 to return to Ireland, with his property in the care of fellow Irishmen Connor Boland and Thomas Connell. Boland, along with compatriot Dennis O'Brien, consolidated the site, buying portions 71 and 79 in August 1820. By 1834, the property would be known as 'Summer Hill'. Only Humewood (portion 77) remained separate to the Beulah property.

SUMMER HILL ESTATE, 1835-1846:
In September 1836, the consolidated lots of the Summer Hill Estate were advertised for sale, described as: 'a valuable abundantly watered farmcleared, stumped and divided with good and substantial fencing into five paddocks, besides a kitchen, garden and orchard. On the property has lately been erected a well finished substantial stone house, containing a verandah, passage, eight good rooms, and an attic storey over the whole also, a good barn, stabling, and substantial huts for men' (Sydney Herald, 1836).

The property was purchased by Duncan Cameron and was leased to Mr James McEachern who established a private boys boarding school. By 1839, the property was again advertised for sale, with the advertisement noting that the house was built in the past four years, and described it as 'stone with lime edifice, and divided into eight apartments, consisting of a parlour, a dining room, a drawing room, four bed rooms and a store room with an attic storey.a substantially stone built kitchen, newly erected behind the housethe men's hut and other out offices are within a convenient distance of the house' (The Australian, 2 March 1839). The kitchen is a new addition in this description and was likely constructed under Mr Cameron's ownership.

Duncan sold to Captain Lachlan Macallister, who let the property to Archibald Cunninghame and his family. The Cunninghame's left detailed descriptions of the property largely matching the sale advertisement, with Sarah Cunninghame establishing a kitchen garden and commenting on the usefulness of the verandah in providing comfort from the variable weather (Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW: ML MSS 3179). Macalister sold the property in 1843, and what followed was a series of transfers over the ensuing 3 years. In the advertisements of sale from this period, reference is made to 'a large tank' likely the dam, constructed by this time (Sydney Morning Herald, 1845). In 1846, the combined Summer Hill Estate was conveyed John Kennedy Hume of Appin for (Pounds)300 (Martin, 2013).

BECOMING BEULAH, THE HUME FAMILY (1846-1936):

John Kennedy Hume was the six year old son of Francis Rawdon Hume, owner and original grantee of the wooded portion 77 known as Humewood. It appears Humewood was not developed, excluding the construction of the accessway to Beulah. The Hume family Estate was owned by patriarch Andrew Hume and formed the neighbouring property Rockwood, which would go on to become Meadowvale. In 1846, F.R. Hume sought to sell Rockwood and purchased the Summer Hill Estate in the name of his son, bringing the entire estate under the ownership of the Hume family. During the 1850s-1870s the property was tenanted by a series of farmers.

By the 1880s, John Kennedy Hume was a married man in his 40s, and evicted the tenants of Summer Hill to allow for his young family to take up residence. Hume and his wife Emma renamed the property Beulah, a Hebrew word, and used Rockwood as a base while they awaited the tenants departure and carried out repairs. Tenders were called for repairs and renovations to the property in March 1884, with Mansfield Brothers the appointed architects for the works. It's likely the suite of works included the replacement of the kitchen, as well as the construction of the summer house pavilion in the area between Rockwood and Beulah. By December 1884 the family had taken up residence, and John Kennedy Hume's landholding was sold to his wife Emma as part of a property arrangement. The family resided at Beulah throughout the remainder of the 19th century, making small improvements including adding a new dam in the late 1880s. Mr Hume died at the property in November 1905, with Emma Hume continuing to live at the property until her death in 1919, with her daughter Ellen Hume the sold beneficiary of the estate (Martin, 2013).

In 1936, Ms Hume died and the century of Hume family ownership of the property came to an end, with the property left to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). The property was formally conveyed to the RSPCA in 1969, and in 1971 the RSPCA sold the property to Beulah Investments Pty Ltd, who sought to hold the site with a view to redevelopment (NSW Land Registry Service, Book 3017 No 832). Through the 1980s Beulah Investments leased the site for farming purposes, but the house was not occupied.

In February 1983 Campbelltown Council proposed an interim conservation order over Lot 22/DP1132531, and a permanent conservation order was made on 8 April 1983 despite owners objection. At the time the property was vacant and the house was noted to be in a dilapidated condition. In April 2000 the Heritage Council wrote to Beulah Investments P/L due to the property's condition, noting minimum standards of maintenance and repair were not met. In 2004, Clive Lucas, Stapelton and Partners were engaged to carry out maintenance works including repair of collapsed walls and roof structure (Martin

In September 2010 Beulah was acquired by the Historic Houses Trust (now Museums of History NSW) under its endangered houses fund. The fund sought to obtain significant properties which were under threat or in poor condition, repair them and undertake works for adaptive reuse and sale. The purchase was supported by the then Office of Environment and Heritage Biodiversity Offset Program, which contributed $600,000 and established a biobanking agreement over the remnant bushland. MHNSW continue to own the property.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Natural - regenerating native flora valued for conservation purposes-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Introduce cultural planting-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Natural - pre European settlement vegetation-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present.	Aboriginal Culture-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present.	Dharawal Nation - contact sites-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Working for the Crown-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Working on private assignment-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Irish migrants-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Ancillary structures - wells, cisterns-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Farming with convict labour-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Attempting to transplant European farming practices to Australian environments-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Farming wheat and other grains-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Clearing land for farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Orcharding-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Significant tree(s) providing rural amenity or character-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of cultural and natural interaction-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of food production-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Places important in developing conservation processes-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and countryside of rural charm-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Gardens and landscapes reminiscent of an 'old country'-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them.	Exploring and surveying for the Crown-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them.	Opening Up, 1818-39-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them.	Routes taken by Surveyor Hamilton Hume-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Forestry-Activities associated with identifying and managing land covered in trees for commercial purposes.	Timber getting-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	cattle-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Pastoral homestead-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Modifying landscapes to increase productivity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Working for pastoralists-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Killing and dressing stock-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building and maintaining public roads-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing for farm and station hands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing working animals-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing farming families-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Adapted heritage building or structure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing famous families-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Sub-division of large estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Expressing lines of early grant allotments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Fencing boundaries - iron estate fencing-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Fencing boundaries - wooden post and rail-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Granting Crown lands for private farming-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Naming places (toponymy)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Surveying by James Meehan-Aboriginal and European; may include sub-divisions, fences, Survey marks etc.
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Rural orchards-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Role of transport in settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Vernacular hamlets and settlements-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Roadways connecting coastal settlements-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on pastoral stations-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working independently on the land-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - Victorian period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - colonial period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - 20th century interwar-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - Federation period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - colonial homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Living in a rural homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gardening-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Hamilton Hume, explorer and grazier-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Governor (later Maj-Gen.) Lachlan Macquarie, 1810-1821-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Governor (Rebel government, 1809) Lt-Col. William Paterson, soldier and naturalist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, Surveyor-General-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	a (historical values) The Beulah Homestead and Setting (Including Ruins) (Beulah) may be of State historic value as an early colonial cultural landscape which retains the pattern of original land grants from the 1820s. Beulah can be considered of historic significance for its ability to provide a connection to 19th century pastoral NSW, with the farms of the Macarthur region critical in supplying the growing colony with livestock and meat, and growing the NSW economy on the trade of sheep and livestock. Particularly in the early 19th century, Beulah was a part of this supply chain and therefore contributor to the economic growth of NSW, and the Homestead provides a tangible connection to this early agricultural activity. The colonial landscape of the Homestead is contrasted against the natural landscape of the forest through which access to the homestead is possible. The forest and Woodhouse Creek provide a snapshot of the pre-colonial environment, and retains evidence of Aboriginal habitation in the area. Furthermore, the store attached to the homestead retains potential evidence of the colonial legacy of the Appin massacre and frontier conflicts, with rifle slit windows. The potential State historic significance of Beulah is held in the homestead itself, as well the access road and bridge and the intact forest.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The Beulah Homestead and Setting (Including Ruins) (Beulah) may be of State significance for its association with the Hume family, with Franics Rawdon Hume being one of the original grantees. The Humewood forest which formed this initial grant has remained relatively unaltered and demonstrates the original landscape of the area. The Hume family came into ownership of the whole of the Beulah Homestead in 1846, and in 1884 it was John Kennedy and Emma Hume who named the property Beulah. Descendents of the Hume family continued to live at the property until the 1930s. The Hume family are notable as an early colonial family with Hamilton Hume setting off from the neighbouring property for the Hume-Hovell expedition which mapped a viable overland route between Sydney and Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, leading to the development of the Hume Highway. The potential State associative significance of Beulah is held in the remnant forest and homestead.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Beulah Homestead and Setting (Including Ruins) (Beulah) may hold State aesthetic significance as a distinctive cultural landscape which provides a contrast between the colonial and natural environment. The entry into Beulah including the bridge over Woodhouse Creek retain a fair degree of intactness to the original construction and provide a distinctive setting to the colonial homestead, through the remnant natural forest. The homestead itself is in poor condition but retains its original colonial georgian style and is aesthetically distinctive. The potential State aesthetic value of Beulah is held in the remnant forest and the landscape setting of the homestead, including cultural plantings, accessway and bridge as well as the dams.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The Beulah Homestead and Setting (Including Ruins) (Beulah) may be considered of State representative significance as a good example of a modest but early colonial homestead and pastoral property. Beulah retains many original elements which attest to this use including the house, bridge, remnant 19th century farm and fencing as well as cultural plantings and landscape elements such as the access road and carriage loop. The c.1836 house is representative of the colonial georgian style in its plan, form and facades. The setting of Beulah can be considered representative of the colonial experience, contrasting the natural and pastoral landscapes. The potential State representative value of Beulah is vested in the homestead, landscaping and remnant forest.
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:

The homestead, associated structures and outbuildings are all in varying states of disrepair and in urgent need of repair and conservation works. Stabilisation of all buildings is essential for their retention. Restoration works (e.g. for the ruined gazebo) should be based on documented historic evidence. The gardens are in need of conservation workThe current envelope for the homestead should be retained as existing and no major additions or removal of fabric should occur (appropriate development zones have been provided in section 6) (Urbis, 2014, 37). Review and amend SHR boundary based on original grant and all remaining features. Assess entry bridge for age, list in entirety. Prepare CMP for estate. Maintain current zoning (Morris & Britton, 2000).

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Review a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	CMP June 2014 submitted by Urbis on behalf of Sydney Living Museums for review
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	Record converted from HIS events Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing materials; (2) routine garden maintenance including cultivation, pruning and weed control (not affecting ornamental plantings or native vegetation). (3) Repair and maintenance of existing fences and gates. (4) Tree surgery but not extensive lopping; (5) Routine maintenance of existing roadways and associated drainage works and utility installations by an authorised authority provided that these do not detract from the heritage significance of Beulah and its site. (6) Pasture improvement, not requiring substantial clearing of existing vegetation; (7) Repair and maintenance of existing farm dams, water storage and reticulation systems; (8) Eradication of noxious plants and animals in natural areas, weed removal only by manual means or spot application of weedicides; (9) horticultural and agricultural management; and (10) bushfire hazard reduction by a method to the approval of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Herbarium Royal Botanic Gardens.	Mar 27 1987
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	Record converted from HIS events Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material; (2) routine garden maintenance including cultivation, pruning and weed control (not affecting ornamental plantings or native vegetation). (3) Repair and maintenance of existing fences and gates. (4) Tree surgery but not extensive lopping; (5) Routine maintenance of existing roadways and associated drainage works and utility installations by an authorised authority provided that these do not detract from the heritage significance of Beulah and its site. (6) Pasture improvement, not requiring substantial clearing of existing vegetation; (7) Repair and maintenance of existing farm dams, water storage and reticulation systems; (8) Eradication of noxious plants and animals in natural areas, weed removal only by manual means or spot application of weedicides; (9) horticultural and agricultural management; and (10) bushfire hazard reduction by a method to the approval of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Herbarium Royal Botanic Gardens.	Oct 2 1987
CMP-Comment	Conservation Plan submitted for comment	Met HHT Richard Taylor; Urbis consultants to discuss draft CMP, site development guidelines, possible rear lot subdivision and development guidelines		Jul 2 2013
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00368	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00368	02 Oct 87	156	5622
Local Environmental Plan			26 Jun 98	97	4955
Local Environmental Plan	draft Campbelltown LEP 2013 Schedule 5	63, 64	03 Feb 13
Local Environmental Plan - Lapsed			01 Jan 97
Development Control Plan	Campbelltown DCP 83 (Heritage Policy)		03 Feb 95
National Trust of Australia register	NTA Suburban Register - Timber Beam Bridge on Beul	714	18 May 87
National Trust of Australia register	NTA Suburban Register: Beulah, former Summer Hill	515	14 Apr 80
National Trust of Australia register	Country Register item 515		20 Mar 09

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Colonial Landscapes of the Cumberland Plain and Camden, NSW	2000	4.19	Morris, C., & Britton, G./NSW National Trust (for the Heritage Council of NSW)	Morris, Colleen & Britton, Geoffrey	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Archaeological and Heritage Management Services P/L		Deposits associated with Bridge Maintenance, Beulah
Written	Artefact Heritage	2013	Beulah, 767 Appin Road, Gilead - Assessment of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Archaeological Potential
Written	Design 5 Architects	2012	Beulah, Appin Road, Appin - Conservation Options Report for Bridge
Written	Freeman, Peter and Partners	1987	Beulah, Appin
Written	Martin, Megan	2013	Historical Sources (Section 3 of revised CMP) (Beulah, 767 Appin Road, Gilead, NSW 2560
Written	Martin, Megan	2013	Beulah - History
Written	Martin, Megan, for Sydney Living Museums / Historic Houses Trust of NSW	2013	Beulah - revised history (sic)
Written	Martin, Megan, for Sydney Living Museums/Historic Houses Trust of NSW	2013	Annotated SHR/HOD form/description/history with faults and suggested corrections
Written	Morris, Colleen; and Britton, Geoffrey	2000	4.19: Beulah and Humewood, Appin Road (entry)	View detail
Written	NSW Office of Environment & Heritage	2014	Beulah Biobank Site, Gilead - Implementation Guide for Management Actions
Written	NSW Office of Environment & Heritage		Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest - endangered ecological community listing	View detail
Written	NSW Office of Environment and Heritage		Cumberland Plain Woodland in the Sydney Basin - proposed critically endangerd ecological community listing	View detail
Written	Proudfoot, Helen	1985	Historical Report
Written	Proudfoot, Helen	1985	Beulah, Appin Road, Campbelltown: historical report	View detail
Written	Reymond, MB.		Historical Notes
Written	Urbis P/L	2014	Conservation Management Plan - Beulah, 767 Appin Road, Gilead
Written	Urbis P/L	2013	Highest & Best Use Study - Beulah, 767 Appin Road, Gilead, NSW 2560

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:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045426
File number:	S90/05417 & HC 32786

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