The Old Government House is the oldest building of consequence in this country. The main block was built in 1799, but the house owes its present form to the building program of Governor Macquarie between 1810 and 1820. In 1984 the museum displayed the occupation of all the governors of NSW up until 1850 when the house ceased to be a viceregal residence. It is the only major Georgian house in this country and here was a chance as nowhere else to illustrate the first phase of domestic life in Australia. The house had gone through two earlier restorations. In 1909 the near derelict house was restored for The Kings School and in 1965 – 1970 for its use as a museum by the National Trust. Both jobs were heavy handed by modern standards, but it has to be said that the 1909 work was more sympathetic to the Georgian house, whereas the 1960s work was driven by an inaccurate perception of the early colonial house. #2004 #architecture #Australia #awards #Building #Clive #Conservation #Heritage #institute #Lucas #NSW #Old_Government_House #Parramatta #RAIA #Stapleton
- Comments
