Macarthur House

Item details


Name of item:	Macarthur House
Other name/s:	Morton House; Pemberton Grange
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	House
Location:	Lat: -33.8117626006 Long: 151.0192997710
Primary address:	8 Melville Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150
Local govt. area:	City of Parramatta
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Deerubbin

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1	DP	228839
LOT	2	DP	228839
LOT	4	DP	228839

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
8 Melville Street	Parramatta	City of Parramatta			Primary Address
8 Melville St (Also Gould Place)	Parramatta	City of Parramatta	FIELD OF MARS	Cumberland	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
	Private

Statement of significance:


	Professional, trade and manufacturing practice - example of an intact house built by noted builder James Houison. Macarthur House is one of the few remaining large Mid Victorian homes remaining in the Parramatta Area which has many historic links with well known local families such as M. Gould and J. Houison, Henry Harvey, the Rev. T.S. Forsaith and the King's School NSW (Heritage Office, Branch Manager's report 1980). One of the few remaining large mid-Victorian houses remaining in the Parramatta area which has many historic links with well known local families and the King's School. Built in 1857 by J Moreton Gould, it was bought by J S Forsaith in 1874 and Reverend P S Waddy in 1910. From 1922-66 it was owned by the King's School and renamed in honour of the Reverend George Fairfowl Macarthur, a former King's School headmaster and son of Hannibal H Macarthur of The Vineyard (RNE, 1978).
	Date significance updated: 29 Jun 07
	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:	James Houison (1850s house); Arthur William McKenzie Mowle (1923 wings); David Sheedy (1981-2 works)
Builder/Maker:	James Houison; John Morton Gould
Construction years:	1855-1856
Physical description:	Grounds: Sprawling 2408.7m2 (0.2408ha) landholding, offered for sale with 2 adjoining lots of vacant land adding to the total area of 3564.9m2. Impressive park-like gardens, with ample on-site parking and two historic wells (Taylor Prestige, 2016). House: The main house is a large Old Colonial Georgian style sandstone house of symmetrical design but has had a two storey matching bay added to the east end. A stone flagged verandah to the ground floor has bellcast iron roof supported by slender cast columns. There is a one storey stone addition with carved bargeboards on one side. All internal joinery is of polished cedar including the original geometric stair, one chimneypiece and some later marble and cast iron chimneypieces. A stone ballroom with Gothic details, forming a separate single-storey wing was added on the west end in 1870, and to the east are the remains of the kitchen wing. The kitchen wing was substantially altered by the Kings School after 1916. It was reconstructed to a form similar to its original appearance with sandstone walls by the owner in 1981. The windows are generally 12 pane colonial Georgian pattern, all shuttered and doors are four panelled. Internally there is a fine cedar joinery throughout including a graceful geometric stair with marble tiled hallway. The single storey wing at the rear on the western end of the house is built with timber trussed gable roof, diagonally boarded timber ceiling and a small room and porch at the north. This wing was built as a chapel in 1875 and is virtually unaltered. Basement (Taylor Prestige, 2016). Outbuildings: The shed outbuilding is a small building which was built in stages by the present owner after 1975. It was built as a store shed and car garage. It is of rough timber construction with a skillion corrugated roof (Sheedy,1996).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	When purchased by a private owner in 1966, the house was in poor physical condition following many years of neglect. A considerable amount of expenditure was made by the owner in an attempt to restore the building to its former grandeur (NSW Heritage Office, Branch Managers report 1980).
	Date condition updated:26 Sep 03
Modifications and dates:	1875: a stone ballroom with Gothic details and a conservatory, forming a separate single-storey wing was added on the west end and to the east are the remains of the 1850s kitchen wing. 1911: new timber-framed dormitory built (later relocated). post 1916: the kitchen wing was substantially altered by the Kings School. 1923: timber framed dormitory relocated to eastern side of the rear (north) side of the houe, and a new 2 storey brick dormitory wing built to the house's north-west, connected to its rear via a single storey brick shower block. 1931: new electrical wiring system installed. 1933: new hot water system installed. 1934: renovations and repairs undertaken (details not known) - it is believed these included constructing a 2 storey eastern weatherboard and stone addition to the main front of hte houe, which was initially beneath a skillion roof extension to the eastern side of the original hipped main roof. 1967 photos show at least the front section of this addition was clad in sandstone, and that the rear first floor northern elevation of it was weatherboard. 1935: brick paving of rear courtyard 1950s -60s additional buildings built to north and north-east of house. All demolished by the mid-1960s. 1965-6 The King's School period buildings on the site were demolished. 1969: fire damaged one rear wing. 1970s first floor ceilings and stone hall ceiling relined in plaster in a decorative Federation period pattern. Original ceilings were cedar boards (noted in the 1960s). The joinery was restored including hte cedar staircase. 1974: new basement space excavated under rear courtyard by oepning up two underground water cisterns. 1975: major restoration works completed, including to the eastern kitchen/severants' wing. The c.1934 weatherboard and stone addition on the house's eastern side, was rebuilt or reclad entirely in stone.The hipped main roof of the house was extended east and the pitch altered. The verandah however was reinstated at a later date (ibid, 2017, 47). 1981-2: a new attached east wing (ktichen, breakfast room and storage, with attic room for a housekeeper) was built, to a form similar to its original appearance with sandstone walls by the owner in 1981 (NSW Heritage Office, Branch Managers Report 1980). It is likely that this new wing re-used dressed stone blocks of the 1850s kitchen wing that was demolished, as well as other stone brought in from elsewhere. The east return of the front verandah and flagging was reconstucted, albeit on a new alignment (ibid, 2017, 47). 1984: house roof re-sheeted in corrugated zinc-coated steel.
Further information:	CPS, NTL


Current use:	Executive Offices (as at 6/7/2006)
Former use:	Aboriginal land, colonial farm, residence, school boarding house/ accomodation

History

Historical notes:

The northern shore of the Parramatta RIver was originally inhabited by the Indigenous people of the Wallumedegal tribe, who spoke a dialect of the Darug language (Austral Archaeology, 2017, i).

From the initial years of colonisation the region of Parramatta was a much sought-after area due to the rich soil int he area and its promising potential for farming and growing crops (ibid, 2017).

On 22 February 1791 Robert Webb, a seaman who arrived in Sydney on the 'Sirius' with the First Fleet in 1788, was granted 60 acres on the north side of the Parramatta River by Governor Phillip, which included the location of the current Macarthur House (ibid, 2017, i). This was the first land grant on the river's north side and only the second land grant issued in Australia, the other being James Ruse's 'Experiment Farm' grant on the opposite side of the river, which Phillip made on the same day. The extent of Webb's grant is traced today by the river frontage, Isablela Street, Webb/Morton Streets and approximately Macarthur Street (ibid, 24). Webb had used much of his Parramatta land for farming before conveying his grant to Captain Thomas Melville for 100 pounds in 1794 (ibid, 2017, i). Melville was master of the 'Brittania', a convict transport of the First Fleet that arrived in Sydney in 1791, and later of the 'Speedy'. His daughter, Jennett, Married the surveyor George Evans (1780-1852) in 1798 in London, and Webb's grant was the bride's dowry. The couple arrived in Sydney in October 1802. Evans was initially given the position of store-keeper in charge of receipt and issue of grain at Parramatta, but in August 1803 was appointed acting surveyor-general in the absence of Charles Grimes who was on leave in England. Between 1804-9 Evans farmed another grant at the Hawkesbury settlement. From 1809 he was again engaged by the government on surveying tasks and travelled widely and frequently. In September 1812 he was sent to Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and a sale notice in The Sydney Gazette (26/12/1812, 2) published about that time describing the Parramatta property as 'garden, orchards' and 'stabling' (ibid, 2017, 24).

In July 1815 Evans was required to return to Hobart and he remained there until 1817. In the interim, in November 1816, emancipist landholder Simeon Lord (who held a mortgage over Evans' property since 2/1804 and who had placed the 1812 sale notice, conveyed Webb's 60 acres, and the neighbouring grant of 30 acres originally made to John Irving, to George Thomas Palmer. Palmer (1784-1854) was sone of the colony's Commissariat, John Palmer. He (George) joined the army in 1800, married Catherine Irene Pemberton in 1805 at Malta. The couple came to Sydney in 1806, with Palmer then a Lieutenant in the 61st Regiment with permission to settle as a free immigrant. Between 1813-14 he was superintendent of government stock, and then developed (his Parramatta farm) 'Pemberton Grange' from 1816. At Parramatta Palmer was a magistrate for many years, and was a member of the managing committee of the Female Factory in the late 1820s. The household at Pemberton Grange was above the bank of hte river and south of Thomas Street. The farm's name honoured his wife's family. GT Palmer's father, John resided at Waddon Cottage on Irving's 30 acres immediately to Pemberton Grange's east. Waddon seems to have been developed about 1820 and was John's place of residence until his dath in 1833. GT Palmer and family returned to England in January 1838 on the 'Everetta'. The household contents of Pemberton Grange were sold in January 1838 and hte house put up for letting, together with Waddon Cottage. A detailed description of the hose and outbuildings was porvided in the published letting notice. It stated the 90 acres had been divided into six paddocks, and 'most of which have been under cultivation' and 'being well-supplied with water it is admirably adapted for a homestead for the reception of cattle, previously to their being driven to the Sydney Market (Sydney Herald, 15/1/1838, 3)(ibid, 2017, 25-26).

Pemberton Grange was conveyed in January 1838 to Captain John West, with the 18th Regiment of Foot, then stationed at Windsor, by way of a mortgage secured from West and repayable to Palmer in 1840. This arrangement suited both parties until 1851, when Captain West, then in England, and Palmer, having returned to New South Wales, having been staying at his station Ginninderra (near present-day Canberra and developed by Palmer from about 1826) since at least the mid-1840s, agreed to convey Pemberton Grange and the 90 acres to merchants Robert Campbell and John Campbell in trust. Palmer was related by marriage to the Campbell family in numerous ways. Pemberton Grange was tenanted by a number of different occupants between 1838 and 1855 before the land was subdivided(ibid, 2017, 26).

The farm changed hands several times between 1794 and the (sic: 1850s) before it was subdivided in 1855, continuing to be used for farming. During this period prior to 1855 the use or activities taken place within the precise location of the study area are unknown (ibid, 2017, i).

From 1855, the 90 acres of Melville's former property was subdivided into 56 lots. The section that comprises the current study area was bought by John Morton Gould in July 1855. Soon after, he built a new home, which he was to name Morton House (now Macarthur House. This was the first known structural development in the study area (ibid, 2017).

The stone mansion is probably the finest "Georgian" structure of the mid-Australian Gold Rush period existing in the Commonwealth. It was erected in 1855-56, during the era when trains began to operate between Sydney and Parramatta (Parramatta Junction, near Granville). It was built on a large site, one of 56 lots, auctioned in July, 1855. Parramatta lawyer, John Morton Gould, had purchased the site and commissioned the top colonial architect, James Houison, of Parramatta, to design the building and to supervise its erection (C.R. 1983)(Heritage Office File; National Trust of Australia; Sheedy 1996; NSW Heritage Office, Branch Managers report 1980).

In 1859 Gould's new home was placed on the market to be leased. In December 1862 Morton House was sold to Henry Harvey, a miller. It remained his place of residence until his death in 1874 and in that period it continued to be known as Morton House (ibid, 2017, i).

In April 1874 it was sold to the Rev. Thomas Spencer (T.S.) Forsaith (ibid, 1980). While Forsaith regularly relocated between different areas of Sydney to establish churches, he resided at Morton House at various times until his death in 1898. Under Forsaith's trustee, David Smart Walker of Walker Bros., house and estate agents, Morton House was occupied by various tenants between 1900 and 1910 (ibid, 2017, i).

The Kings School Period
Morton House was acquired by Rev. Percy Stacy (P.S.) Waddy, headmaster of the King's School in 1910. Stacy Waddy was headmaster of the school from 1906-16. His appointment in 1906 heralded a period of expansion and change for the school. By 1909 the numbers of day-boys and boarders had doubled in two years. He founded a junior school, set up the house system, amongst other innovations. With increasing enrolments, Waddy also purchased the nearby Newlands property, along with its 42 acres. Initially known as Farm House, renamed Broughton House (modern address 43A Thomas Street), Newlands was used also to provide agricultural training for the boys (ibid, 2017, 31).

The formal entrance to Macarthur House in The King's School era commenced from Thomas Street with a semi-circular drive in front of the house. THat public road had been extneded west to intersect with Macarthur Street in 1890. The boys walked to the school. There was another entrance from Pemberton Street, which was most likely used for trade. The old carriage drive from the house to Morton Street and onto Victoria Road fell into disuse (ibid, 2017, 35).

The boys moved into Macarthur House in 1911. A new dormitory for 30 boys had been built for them by March 1912, designed by local architect, James Whitmore Hill. It was built by the boys under the supervision of Hill and was relocated on completion of the new dormitory wing in 1923 (ibid, 2017, 32).

The Rev. Percy Stacy Waddy, resigning as headmaster in 1916 and leaving the school to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (the School Council twice having refused him leave for such an undertaking), conveyed freehold title of Macarthur House to the school in 1916 (ibid, 2017, 32), after when it was used as one of the school's boarding houses and renamed 'Macarthur House' in honour of the Rev. George Farfowl Macarthur who re-organised the school from 1856-68 (ibid, 1980) and a son of Hannibal Macarthur from the nearby estate, Vineyard (Rydalmere)(ibid, 2017, 31). It was also used for agricultural training for the students (ibid, 2017, ii).

A view of the house's west side from 1920 shows Forsaith's west wing and conservatory, built 1875, and two earlier pine trees (one a hoop pine, Araucaria cunninghamii; the other a Cook's pine, A.columnaris)(pers.comm., Stuart Read, 25/9/2017)(ibid, 2017, 32). In 1924 electricity was installed, the property was sewered by installation of a septic tank and in August 1927 the property was attached to the Water Board's sewer (ibid, 2017, 32).

Arthur William McKenzie Mowle was the school's architect for two-storey dormitory wings completed in 1923. A courtyard was between these and the house, with a shower block between (ibid, 2017, 33-34).

While Broughton House (fmr. Newlands) and another school property in Sorrell Street were requisitioned in 1942 for use by the military forces as training centres, Macarthur House was not so-affected. It was used by the King's School for boarders' accommodation until 30 March 1964 when the school moved to the expansive new grounds and new buildings on the site of Gowan Brae, North Parramatta (ibid, 2017, 35).

A large number of additions and outbuildings were built by the school and finally in 1965 it was sold for development, the outbuildings demolished and the land subdivided for cottages (ibid, 1980). The lot was c.11.5 acres, with some land having been taken for public roads. This area was subdivided into a housing estate in 1965/6 with allotments fringing the four sides of the historical land holding being in DP 223880, the inner area exlusive of the historic house in DP 224786, and the historic house and immediate surrounds in DP228839 (registered in 3/1966). Gould Place and Melville Street and hte public reserve to the west of Macarthur House were formed in these subdivisions (ibid, 2017, 37).

The historic house was retained, but other buildings erected in The King's School era were dmeolished. This was undertaken by the estate developer, and not the later owner. While the historic house was protected from the demolition plans, it was prone to vandalism within two years of The King's School leaving the premises and the arrival of a new owner, between 1964-6 (ibid, 2017, 38).

The Pike Family Period
Mr. Richard Pike purchased the property after 1965 (Austral Archaeology, p 38, say in 1967) as well as an additional subdivided allotment to extend the curtilage of the house to Gould Place. Mr. Pike carried out a number of improvements to the King's School changes to the original house to keep them more in sympathy with the original Georgian design (ibid, 1980). Pike was a public high school teacher at the time, married to Dr Ruth Radcliffe (nee Tarn) and with six children. He set about restoring the house with the limited funds available (ibid, 2017, 38). At the time Pike had considered buying Elizabeth Farm House, which was also on the market, but settled on Macarthur House (ibid, 2017, 39).

Pike is a life-time member of the National Trust of Australia (NSW), which during the late 1960s and 1970s provided him assistance in his efforts to preserve the house. In 1967 the Trust included the house in its Register of Buildings of Outstanding Historic Interest, and it was classified by the Trust in 1976. Through the Trust, Pike was advised by architects, initially John Kenneth Noller, prior to 1969, then David Sheedy, and skilled tradesmen. An early setback was the outbreak of fire in 1969 in one of the rear wings, and much of the historic house was badly smoke and water-affected. The staircase and upstairs cedar-lined ceilinings were charred badly. most of the major restoration works had been completed by 1975, with work then being undertaken on the kitchen/servants' east wing. In 1975, it appears that students from Sydney University undertook an archaeological investigation in two cisterns/wells in the northern courtyard of the house. While the actual results have not been identified, a summary of hte excavation was placed in the newsletter of the Australian Society for Historical Archaeology (quoted in ibid, 2017, 39).

The expense of restoring and maintaining the house was considerable and unsustainable, and by 1973 Pike was considering ways of generating income from the place. In 1973 he sought consent to use the house for wedding receptions. Parramatta Council fully supported PIke's work but refused consent for commercial use, citing strong objections from neighbouring residents, its location within a residential area and otherwise being contrary to the public interest. Council retained this policy into at least the 1990s (ibid, 2017, 39). Pike subsequently, in 1973 and early 1974, tried to dispose of Macarthur House by sale at public auction. An interest was expressed by the Methodist Church with the plan to use the property as a retirement home. That was rejected by Parramatta Coucnil and the option lapsed and the sale did not proceed). In 1974 the then Planning & Environment Commission placed an Interim Development Order (IDO) no. 23 (Parramatta) on the property. That IDO permitted use for 'social functions' and Pike applied in 1976 for a wedding reception use, which again was strongly opposed by neighbours (ibid, 2017, 40).

A temporary timber shed was built from 1975 onwards in stages to store building materials and provide a garage. The property was used as a family home until recent years when it was converted into professional office suites. As part of this change of use a small paved area was provided for car parking at the west of the building and toilets were provided in part of the kitchen wing (ibid, 1980).

In 1977 the IDO was amended to remove the 'social functions' use and to included uses such as 'residential building; and 'residential flat building' and allow subdivision (two allotments and one house on each). This change acknowledged both local community opposition to commercial activities and provided Pike scope to make economic use of the property. The amendment prohibited external alterations and additions to the house without Parramatta Council consent. In August 1980 Permanent Conservation Order no. 50 under the NSW Heritage Act 1977 was placed on the property, and the place was subject to the consent authority of the Heritage Council of NSW(ibid, 2017, 40).

In c.1980 a new round of conservation works was commenced, including constructing a new attached east wing, approved by the Heritage Council in July 1981. This wing comprised a kitchen, breakfast room and storage, and attic room for a housekeeper. It was designed by David Sheedy in a Victorian style to match adjoining like fabric. It is likely that the consrtuction of the new wing re-used the dressed stone blocks of the 1850s kitchen wing that was demolished, as well as other stone blocks brought in from elsewhwere. The east return of the front verandah and flagging was reconstructed, albeit on a new alignment. This project was completed in 1982 (ibid, 2017, 41).

About 1984 the roof was sheeted in corrugated zinc-coated steel. This proved prolematic, as a private building covenant had been placed on the subdivision in the mid-1960s that prohibited such practice. In the early 1990s Heritage Council approvals for the use as professional offices (9/1990) and as a boarding house (10/1991). In 1994 the Heritage Council approved use of the 1870s west wing as a pre-school. In 1997 the Heritage Council approved a proposal to construct a caretaker's cottage on the site. This approval was never activated, so no other house was ever built on site. Parramatta Council approved two development approvals in 1997 for a new two storey building (residence) on site - but neither were acted on. In April 2016 Richard Pike, then aged 93, sold Macarthur House to the current owners (ibid, 2017, 41).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
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 Places How are significant places marked in the landscape by, or for, different groups-Monuments and Sites
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	Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
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.	Owning and occupying a house-
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.	Gentlemens Mansions-
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.	Country Villa-
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 the clergy and religious-
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 teachers-
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.	Architectural design-
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.	Victorian era residence-
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.	school residence-
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 (suburbs)-
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.	gentlemen's residences-
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 merchants and dealers-
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	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 professional people-
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.	A Picturesque Residential Suburb-
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 townsfolk - urban villas-
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	1820s-1850s land grants-
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 Augustus Alt-
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	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
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	19th century suburban developments-
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	Subdivision of urban estates-
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	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
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	Developing suburbia-
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	Developing suburbia-
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	Developing towns in response to topography-
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	Country Estate-
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	Country Villa-
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	Creating landmark structures and places in suburban settings-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Private (independent) schooling-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	College boarding house-
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 Georgian-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Rev. George Fairfowl Macarthur, priest and educator-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Houison, colonial architect-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Henry Harvey, Parramatta property owner and miller-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Morton Gould, Parramatta lawyer-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Rev. T.S. Forsaith, Parramatta priest-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Rev. Percy Stacy Waddy, King's School Headmaster and Priest-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Richard Pike, Parramatta property owner-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	This item historically significant.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The house is considered to be rare, being one of only five extant buildings known to have been designed by architect James Houison, and a good example of the Old Colonial Georgian style (Davies, in prep., 2017).
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	This item is representative. It is considered to be a good example of the Old Colonial Georgian style of architecture (Davies, in prep., 2017).
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:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Carry out an Archaeological Assessment
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
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		00050	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00050	01 Aug 80	102	3909
Local Environmental Plan			27 Feb 97	20
Archaeological zoning plan	PHALMS AM Unit 3023	AMU3023	23 Jan 01
Cumberland County Council list of Historic Buildings 1961-67
National Trust of Australia register		8819
Register of the National Estate			21 Mar 78

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
City of Parramatta Heritage Study	1993	390	Meredith Walker		Yes
PHALMS	2001	AMU 3023	Godden Mackay Logan		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Austral Archaeology P/L	2017	8 Melville Street & 14 Gould Place, Parramatta NSW - Aboriginal Due Diliegence Assessment, Historical Archaeological Assessment, Statement of Heritage Impact and Research Design
Written	David Sheedy Pty. Ltd. Architects	1996	A Heritage Impact Statement for Macarthur House
Electronic	Macarthur House	2006		View detail
Written	National Trust of Australia (NSW)		National Trust of Australia (NSW)
Written	NSW Heritage Office	1980	Branch Managers Report
Written	Paul Davies P/L	2017	Macarthur House Conservation Management Plan
Written	Taylor Prestige P/L	2016	8 Melville Street, Parramatta - 'A property of rare distinction'

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:	5051396
File number:	S90/03732

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