Goldfinders Inn Group

Item details


Name of item:	Goldfinders Inn Group
Other name/s:	Gold Finders Rest, Kurrajong General Store, Kurrajong Post Office
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	Other - Residential Buildings (private)
Location:	Lat: -33.5490380998 Long: 150.661371632595
Primary address:	164 Old Bells Line of Road, Kurrajong, NSW 2758
Parish:	Kurrajong
County:	Cook
Local govt. area:	Hawkesbury
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Deerubbin

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	123		DP	1063011

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
164 Old Bells Line of Road	Kurrajong	Hawkesbury	Kurrajong	Cook	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
	Private

Statement of significance:


	The Goldfinders Inn site is of state significance as a continually inhabited place of residence in the Hawkesbury area from the time of the land grant in 1809 to the present day. The cottage, inn and barn together provide physical evidence of successive occupancies and uses of the site initially for farming, through to commercial use as an inn and licensed premises, later a post office and general store and as private residence. The development and functions of the site are integrally related to the development of Bells Line of Road. The Goldfinders Inn Group served as a wayside inn on the long road journeys through the mountains. The cottage is an early dwelling of the Hawkesbury settlement that may date from as early as 1809. It is a rare pre-1840s vernacular building, providing evidence of in-ground timber slab construction, broad-axed stud frame with stone-nogging infill and later phases of stud frame construction. The stone-nog (sandstone block and rubble infill between studs) is a rare construction method, reflecting the remote location of the site in the use of locally sourced material. The site is also rare for its early domestic plantings of magnolias and camellias. The main camellia featured in the garden was described by Professor EJ Waterhouse as the oldest in Australia. The Goldfinders Inn Group has the potential to yield further information on the construction of early vernacular buildings, particularly in relation to the unusual stone nog infill between wall studs. There is also some potential for the site to reveal evidence of former buildings related to documented uses of the place.
	Date significance updated: 30 Nov 15
	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:	John Lamrock
Construction years:	1809-1830
Physical description:	The Goldfinders Inn Group comprises three buildings located at the southern end of the site, near the junction of Bells Line of Road with Little Wheeny Creek. The buildings are a single storey timber cottage, a two-storey, sandstone building constructed as an inn and a timber barn structure. They are set in a garden of mature trees. The earliest fabric of the cottage is estimated to date from the 1820s, though it may be as early as 1809 (the year of the land grant) but no later than 1850 (prior to construction of the inn). The walls are part timber slab and part broad-axed stud frame with sandstone rubble nogging between studs and clad in horizontal splayed weatherboards. The roof framing is of broad-axed rafters and pit-sawn flitch timbers. They are fixed to the wall plate with timber pegs in some parts and with nails in others. Corrugated metal cladding has been laid over the original timber shingles. The two-storey sandstone inn building is constructed of ashlar blocks with a corrugated metal roof replacing the original timber shingles. Additions made to facilitate its use as a general store and Post Office have subsequently been demolished. The original internal layout is evident in the remaining fabric. A barn of vertical slab construction has been extended with new and recycled slabs. The garden located between the inn and cottage is dominated by a large, mature magnolia (M. grandiflora) and two large camellias (Camellia japonica 'Variegata' and Camellia japonica 'Triumphans'). The 'Triumphans' camellia was identified as the oldest in Australia by Professor E.G Waterhouse, eminent camellia authority. Photographic evidence suggests that the magnolia and camellias may date from the 1850s.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	The condition of all three buildings is good. Conservation works undertaken on the cottage in 1987 included weatherproofing the building and some renewal of fabric. Conservation works undertaken on the inn building in 1979 involved weatherproofing and reconstruction of a portion of the wall. The ground level floor was reconstructed and minor adaptation works also carried out at this time, with some replacement of fabric. While the buildings have undergone conservation and adaptation works, including removal of later additions, construction of a new addition and the replacement of some fabric, they retain a high level of intactness. The form of the structures, the significant internal configurations and the patina of original fabric are readily discernible. In 2018 conservation of the 1809 timber farmhouse became the key issue. Part of the issue with wood rot in one wall of the building was the damp on that side, with extensive vegetation, mainly privet, keeping the building in shadow. This vegetation was extensively cut down, improving direct sunlight. Following this, the timber picket fence was rebuilt/replaced along the boundary near that side. The wood rot also affected the private power pole, so a contractor was engaged to remove the decayed cross-arm and bundle the cables, for security against a falling power line potentially causing a fire. Then, most of the gutters on both buildings were replaced, to keep rain water in the gutters and downpipes and not running down any building walls. Verandah posts and beams were all inspected and infill repairs made to some beams, with repainting then undertaken. The building footings and works described in this proposal were identified as the next stage of the conservation repairs (funding application, 3/2019).
	Date condition updated:23 Jul 13
Modifications and dates:	c1809: Original part of cottage constructed. c 1820-1900: Various extensions to cottage, as set out in Figures 58 and 59 of attached report. 1987-88: demolition of part of eastern face, retaining verandah plus one room at north-east corner. 2010: Construction of infill room between cottage and inn. Inn: c1850 constructed 1870-1920: Addition of ground level "shop front" to western side for use as a general store and post office. Early 20th century: addition of first floor verandah on south-east side, and skillion roof at ground level on northern side. Mid 20th century: removal of northern skillion and western shop front. 1979: removal of first floor verandah, as part of major conservation and building repair works.


Current use:	Private residence
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm, cottage: dwelling, guesthouse. Inn: licensed premises and accommodation; post office and general store, guesthouse accommodation.

History

Historical notes:

Rowland Edwards arrived in Sydney in the colony of NSW in 1791 as a convict transported for seven years on the Third Fleet. By 1798 Edwards was believed to be an emancipated convict occupying the 'lowlands' at the junction of the Hawkesbury River and Rickaby's Creek, near present day Windsor. The 1806 General Muster lists Edwards 'free by servitude' and now a settler having purchased 80 acres at Richmond Hill, of which 50 acres were under cultivation and pasture and 30 acres fallow. The occupants of the land were Edwards, his wife and child and an assigned convict. They were noted not to be on Government stores and so it can be assumed they were self-sufficient on their 80 acres. Edwards was not formally granted the land until 1809 by Colonel Paterson. He was, however, clearly in occupation three years earlier and his self-sufficiency indicates a dwelling on the land grant as early as 1806. His relocation with his family to 'Richmond Hill' on higher land is confirmed by documentary evidence with the grant from Governor Patterson, dated 14 December 1809. Three months before the formal land grant of 1809, Edwards sold stock at public auction (possibly to settle debts) from his property on the High Lands at Richmond Hill.

While Richmond Hill was a general term for land north-west of the Hawkesbury River, the High Lands was a more specific reference to the present Kurrajong area. Thus Edwards was in residence at the site of the Goldfinders Inn at least by 1809. Edwards may have constructed the oldest part of the cottage at this time. The earliest fabric evidence is not incompatible with this date.

In 1823 Archibald Bell surveyed the present Old Bells Line of Road. It was a traditional aboriginal route shown to Bell by Darug guides Emery and Cogy when they led him over Mount Tomah and on to Hartley Vale. The road was under construction by 1825 and was officially opened in 1841. The timber cottage at Goldfinders is of locally sourced material and of a rough vernacular construction, consistent with an absence of navigable road for transporting materials. It is probable that the earliest fabric of the cottage was constructed prior to 1840.

The Edward's family appears to have been occupying the site until c1842, when it was sold to John Rule. Rule sold the property to John Lamrock c1850. Lamrock constructed a two-storey sandstone inn in c1850 and licensed it as the "Goldfinders Home", catering to diggers travelling to and from the western goldfields. It became the centre of the local community, operating as a general store and Post Office. Various public meetings were reported to be held on the site. After the inn licence was not renewed in 1871, it continued to operate as a Post Office, general store and guesthouse. Contemporary newspaper articles comment on the writers' stays at the property. The guesthouse operation included both buildings, with various extensions to these buildings made, but since demolished.

The third owners of the property were Henry and Robert Pitt, from a family that had resided in the Hawkesbury for many years. After Henry's death, it was eventually sold to James Pye in 1922. He operated a local business as a blacksmith. During his ownership, up until 1944, the property continued to be used as a general store and Post Office and for community gatherings. The Post Office was relocated prior to its sale in 1944.

Goldfinders Inn has had a series of owners since 1944, including (1972-5) Padraic Pearce "Paddy" McGuiness, journalist and commentator. It was purchased by the current (2015) owners Chris and Deborah Hallam in 1975. Deborah Hallam (Pitt) is a direct descendent of Henry Pitt, a previous owner (1899-1908).

Conservation planning for the cottage was undertaken by Graham Edds & Associates. Works to the cottage were carried out in 1987. Conservation and adaptation works to the inn building, undertaken in 1979, were designed by Philip Cox and Partners.

The conservation of the Goldfinders Inn Group has been a long term process. The current owners purchased the property in 1975. The background and details are in the document GOLDFINDERS HISTORY, a published book titled "The 1809 Land Grant of Rowland Edwards and The Goldfinders Home Inn, Kurrajong, New South Wales - A Social and Conservation History". In summary, Fisher Lucas Architects were engaged in August 1975 to prepare a "Building Report, Goldfinders, Kurrajong NSW". Philip Cox and Partners were engaged in June 1978 to provide a concept plan for the conservation of the buildings. In June 1987 Graham Edds & Associates (Conservation Architects) prepared a building conservation report "Goldfinders, Old Bells Line of Road, Kurrajong. This was essentially a Conservation Management Plan for the 1809 timber structure, covering the changes to the structure over time, the building materials and recommendations for works. The latter were essentially the removal of some later additions to the building. This study was part funded by the NSW Department of Planning. In 2009 Graham Edds & Associates were again engaged to prepare plans for one new room plus an addition to the slab outbuilding. The owners have been responsible for the on-going conservation and repairs to the two main buildings, guided by the formally prepared reports (funding application, 3/2019).

In 2010 further conservation works were undertaken, with the main work being the construction of an infill room between the inn and the cottage. Additional works were a stone fence facing Old Bells Line of Road and an extension to the barn (Hallam, 2014).

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.	Changing the environment-
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	Private 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	Clearing land for farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Retailing-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Innkeeping-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Selling Furniture-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Communication-Activities relating to the creation and conveyance of information	Communicating by mail-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Communication-Activities relating to the creation and conveyance of information	Communicating by mail-
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	Landscapes used for self reliant recreation-
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-
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.	Bungalows-
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.	Guesthouses-
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.	Boarding Houses-
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.	Residences-
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	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Villages-
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 private towns-
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 on the urban fringe-
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 Phillip Cox, modernist architect-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Pye, farmer and blacksmith-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Rowland Edwards, emancipated convict farmer-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Lamrock, innkeeper-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Rule, landowner-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Henry and Robert Pitt, Hawkesbury identities-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Padraic Pearce (Paddy) McGuiness, journalist and commentator-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Goldfinders Inn Group is of state heritage significance as the cottage is evidence of an early vernacular dwelling of the Hawkesbury settlement that predates the c1850 inn building and may date from as early as 1809. The property has functioned as a continually inhabited place of residence from 1806 to the present day, serving one of the oldest established settlements of NSW. The cottage, inn and barn together provide physical evidence of successive occupancies and uses of the site initially for farming, through mid-nineteenth century more intense settlement and cultivation, commercial use as an inn and licensed premises, later a post office and general store and as private residence. The development of the site is integrally related to the development of Bells Line of Road. The siting of the buildings at the crossing of the road and creek took advantage of passing traffic for business and, in turn, served the development of the road by offering refreshment and rest on a long road journey as a wayside inn. In its operation as a licensed inn, with associated general store and Post Office, the Goldfinders Inn Group has been the centre of Kurrajong community activities, prior to a formal village being constructed. The garden plantings of camellias and magnolias are of historic interest in their own right, with the main camellia described by Professor EJ Waterhouse as the oldest in Australia.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	Goldfinders Inn Group does not appear to meet this criterion of state significance.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Goldfinders Inn Group does not appear to meet this criterion of state significance.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Goldfinders Inn Group does not appear to meet this criterion of state significance.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The Goldfinders Inn Group is of state significance because the cottage on the site is an early dwelling which has the potential to yield further information on the construction of early vernacular buildings, particularly in relation to the unusual stone nog infill between wall studs. There is also some potential for the site to reveal evidence of former buildings associated with documented uses of the place.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The cottage of the Goldfinders Inn Group is of state significance as a rare pre-1840s cottage with a range of construction systems from its various stages of development, including the use of stone nog infill. The site is also rare for its early domestic plantings and as a dwelling and inn group.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	In its evolution from farm to roadside inn, to community hub with associated functions of general store and Post Office, the Goldfinders Inn Group is of state significance as a representative of the pattern of historic development of key locations in small settlements throughout New South Wales. The form and fabric of the cottage, with its slab construction and portions of stone nog infill, is representative of vernacular building methods of the Old Colonial Period (1788-1840) using locally sourced materials in remote locations.
Integrity/Intactness:	While the buildings have undergone conservation and adaptation works, including removal of later additions, construction of a new addition and the replacement of some fabric, they retain a high level of intactness. The form of the structures, the significant internal configurations and the patina of original fabric are readily discernible.
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	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	ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) OF THE HERITAGE ACT 1977 Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977. I, the Hon James Griffin MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales do by this Order, effective at the time of publication in the New South Wales Government Gazette: 1. revoke the order made on 9 November 2020 and published in the Government Gazette Number 318 of 13 November 2020; and 2. grant the exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 that are described in the attached Schedule. The Hon James Griffin MP Minister for Environment and Heritage Signed this 2nd day of June 2022. To view the standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 click on the link below.	Jun 17 2022

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 Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	01978	21 Oct 16	84	2812
Heritage Act - Icons Project Nomination for SHR listing		17 Aug 04
Local Environmental Plan		18 Dec 89
National Trust of Australia register	3222	03 Jul 78
National Trust of Australia register	3221	03 Jul 78

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Christopher Hallam	2014	The 1809 Land Grant of Rowland Edwards and the "Goldfinders Home Inn", Kurrajong NSW - a Social and Conservation History
Written	Edds, Graham (personal communication 23/12/2010) List prepared by Stuart Read	2010	NSW's earliest houses - email string via NSW Heritage Advisers e-group
Written	Hallam, Chris	2015	The 1809 Land Grant of Rowland Edwards and the 'Goldfinders Home Inn', Kurrajong NSW - a Social and Conservation History
Written	Hallam, Chris	2006	'Gold Finders Inn' in "The Millstone" vol.4 issue 6, september-october 2006

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:	5055947
File number:	13/12348, EF14/21318

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