Saumarez Homestead

Statement of Cultural Significance
(from Conservation Plan, March 1987)

1 The cultural significance lies in the history, the continuity and the diversity of the place: the history of a settlement's development, a family's development and the development of a rural industry; the evidence of the continuity of these developments being a record of progression, change and adaptation; and the diversity of that evidence in the range of outbuildings, fittings, equipment, house, furnishings, artefacts, garden design and plantings, and its ability to demonstrate the diverse cultural, social, economic and occupational attitudes of that rural community from the mid nineteenth to the late twentieth centuries.

2 Saumarez Homestead's historical significance is founded on the work of three families who together have exercised an outstanding influence on the development of New England and particularly Armidale; namely the Dumaresq, Thomas and White families.

3 Saumarez is a substantial country house, in a landscaped setting, together with a collection of furniture, furnishings and memorabilia which have evolved with the family's occupation of the place and which reflects their domestic and personal continuity and development.

4 A collection of working outbuildings and historical archaeological sites which together with the house and contents reflect the creation and subsequent evolution of a successful pastoral property and the lives of the people who lived and worked on it.

5 The homestead demonstrates simultaneously the lives and contributions of F.J. White and his family who held significant civic and social status in the Armidale community, from the late nineteenth century.

6 The homestead, as part of the large Saumarez Station, demonstrates an early pattern of land occupancy from Aboriginal use through to alienation from the Crown and a phase in the settlement and pastoral development of rural New South Wales by larger pioneer families.

Constraints arising from the Statement of Significance

1 No activity which would prejudice the physical evidence of the history, continuity, and diversity of the place should occur.

2 The collection has a 'closed' status and as a consequence no further acquisitions will be considered other than: those with a known (documented) association with the place and which were removed at the effective end of the White family period; those of known (documented) association with the place which are considered to be of outstanding significance and having special value for the place.

3 The aesthetic appearance of the place or any component of the place shall not be considered a criterion for the determination of conservation policies.

4 No activity which would prejudice the historical associations of the Dumaresq, Thomas and White families with the place should occur.

5 No alienation of the house or its collection should occur.

6 No construction or other activity should conceal or alter the present form and relationship of the house, outbuildings and setting.

7 No alienation, or sub-division of part or all of the place should be permitted.

Physical Description Buildings & Features (largely taken from Conservation Plan, March 1987)

HOUSE

The structure is a large two storey brick residence. The elevations are asymmetrical. Thee are gabled projections on the north east and west elevations with two-storied verandahs between.

The house consists of two sections: A family accommodation wing to the north and a service wing to the south. The latter is built around a courtyard. The family wing contains on the ground floor two large rooms, drawing room and dining room and five smaller rooms used as an office, bedrooms and sitting rooms. It also contains a wash room and bathroom. These front rooms open onto a central hall, while the back rooms open onto a cross hall. An elaborate Edwardian staircase leads to the first floor.

The first floor plan largely reflects the floor below and contains eight bedrooms, bathroom, a separate lavatory, a linen room and en suite off the main bedroom.

On the southern side of the house is the two storey service wing containing pantry, kitchen, scullery, laundry, staff dining room and boot room on the ground floor. On the first floor is the present caretaker's accommodation consisting of two bedrooms, sitting room, bathroom, small kitchen and verandah overlooking the courtyard, which leads up to a sink room. Under the pantry and servant's stair is a cellar with exterior access. On the east side of the central service courtyard is a single storey wing containing a store and a small kitchen.

Walls

The ground floor walls are of Flemish bond brickwork. The bricks are 'Armidale Blue'. the better face bricks are used on the north and west sides of the accommodation wing. The first floor walls are cavity brick in stretcher bond. The first floor walls are also 'Armidale Blue' but have more firing marks than those of the lower floor. Sills and thresholds appear to be of Ravensfield stone while window head mouldings and string courses are cement rendered.

In the service courtyard the ground floor window and door heads have painted imitation tuck-pointed brickwork. Over the upper bay windows are elaborate twin gabled bracketed timber hoods. The windows below at ground level have louvred panels set into the arched heads.

Roof

The roof is sheeted in corrugated iron and is hipped in form with gables above the bay windows. These gables have vertical battens below the barge decoration. This decoration covers a circular vent formed in the brickwork. The verandah iron has a bull-nose profile. The eaves are decorated with paired timber brackets and all guttering is of galvanised iron or splayed aluminium profiles. There are some ogee rainwater heads. There are revolving roof vents on the ridges.

Verandahs and balconies

The two main front verandahs and balconies are of similar detail consisting of Ionic-derived iron ground floor posts stamped 'Simpson - Makers - Morpeth' with timber panelled frieze and arched valances above. The upper floor column capitals are of corinthian design. The East verandah is enclosed by a cast iron balustrade and gates all of which have timber cap rails. The ceilings of the verandahs are elaborately panelled in timber around the main floor frames of the balcony. The first floor balconies have cast iron valances, brackets, posts and balustrades with timber cap rails. At the ends of each balcony one and a half bays have been enclosed with obscure glass and timber panelling to form sleep-outs and the iron decoration removed. The verandah and balcony to the service courtyard is all of timber with a lattice valance to the ground floor. A timber covered way with iron roof links the kitchen to a detached dairy/meat room at the rear.

External Paint

The external paintwork is mainly light/bluish grey and white. The roof is green. There are sections of timberwork on the gables not easily visible from the ground which are painted in dark brown and beige. Part of the service courtyard and the school room are painted dark brown and beige.

Gardens and curtilage

By siting the homestead along the top of the ridge it was natural that it be the centrepiece of the landscaped setting reinforced by the landforms. The garden display and recreation areas are arranged to the three main elevations of the house while the more utilitarian garden areas are set further out to the east or south-east. The garden design is structured to provide a landscape setting for the important elevations of the homestead as well as giving garden views from each room of the main wing of the house. Gardens and grounds were laid out when the house was first built and by 1913 they had reached their present extent.

Driveway

The house is approached by a long gravelled driveway flanked with an avenue of Pinus insignis. It was planted c1888. There is an inner avenue of two rows of exotic trees including linden and prunus. These replaced two rows of trees shown in early photographs. The drive no longer forms the main road to the property. A number of trees were heavily damaged and/ or fallen during a storm in xxxxxx?

Formal Garden

This is structured around the central gravelled carriage drive and turning area which has a centrally located sundial set on a cement pedestal with octagonal base. To either side of the drive are lawns and geometrically shaped flower beds and a variety of mature trees including a Chinese elm, pin oak, crab apple and various types of exotic pines. On the east is the site of the tennis court and on the west is the glass house, aviary and shade houses for young plants. Surviving garden elements are a bird bath and two iron arches. Next to the tennis court area is a bulb garden. The entire area is screened by eleagnus hedges planted beside a low fence formed of white painted square dressed posts and rails with rabbit-proof wire mesh. This fence was in situ in 1913.

To the south of the tennis court is a pergola covered in Wisteria.

A circular garden bed was situated on the site of the present sundial. It appears to have been removed by 1913. The sundial was erected c1920.

The tennis court appears to be ant bed and was enclosed by a wire mesh on timber poles. There was an open shelter shed on its west side. A second tennis court which could be used by staff was located beside the cutting garden to the south-east of the house.

Vegetable Garden

This is situated to the east of the house beyond the formal garden. Remnants of the plantings in this garden can be seen with the metal supports once used for Raspberry canes. Jerusalem Artichokes continue to shoot each Spring in prolific numbers and small clumps of Rhubarb and occasional Asparagus plants can be found here. A clipped Cypress hedge divided the vegetable garden from the orchard beyond in what is now a paddock where stock graze.

Outbuildings in House Curtilage

Glasshouse

This is a timber framed building on a brick base and all framings are infilled with glass. A curved metal ridge housing once contained roller canvas blinds to provide sun protection.

Internally a bench runs round three sides of the building. Above this is shelving. There is metal piping below the bench which leads from a fibro and iron lean-to store at the southern end. This apparently had a stove which served to heat the glasshouse.

Aviary

A small gabled timber structure ob a brick base with timber boarding to three sides and a large area extended from the fourth side framed up in tubular steel piping and covered with bird wire. It was built post 1913 to house finches, budgerigars and canaries.

Dairy and Meat Room

A small detached brick building of two rooms and encircling verandahs close to the end of the main service wing of the homestead. It has a hipped iron roof and timber verandah structure and bitumen paving. The larger room to the west is the Dairy with benches of solid slate supported on brick walls. This room contains a kerosene refrigerator, milk separating equipment and butter churns. The smaller room to the east is the cool room for hanging meat. A small gardener's room is situated on the verandah beside the two rooms.

The brickwork and vent design indicate it was part of the 1887-8 construction programme.

Garage

A small timber and iron garage with a gabled iron roof, a single window at one end and a pair of timber doors at the other. It was evidently built c1940 to house Elsie's car when she learnt to drive.

School Room

This is a single-roomed building of weatherboard timber frame construction with a verandah, gabled iron roof, brick chimney and three 12-pane windows. It is lined with Baltic pine and has no ceiling. The chimney is made of red or Uralla bricks (not 'Armidale Blue'). Painted in brown and beige.

It was built c1890 and appears to have originally had a skillion on its west side. This has been removed. The building was used by the family children as a school and later as a play room.

Privy

A small timber-framed weatherboard structure with iron roof built probably for use of garden staff.

Garden Shed

A skillion roofed timber framed weatherboard structure which is open on its northern side. It is used for, and was probably built for, storage of firewood and gardening tools. It was in situ by 1913.

Tea Room and Shop

Constructed in 1988 Timber framed, weatherboard structure with green painted corrugated iron roof. The building was extended in December 1999 to allow for conferences and receptions.

Toilet Block

This was constructed by the National Trust in 1986. Its east verandah is sited over the top of the path which linked White's office to the house. It is a timber framed weatherboard structure with green painted roof.

Miscellaneous Features

To the south of the garden shed and enclosing the curtilage is a low picket fence. Against this is a timber propagation box and an incinerator. Between these and the shed is a clothes line with clothes props.

To the east of the service wing are a series of cylindrical water tanks on a brick foundation abutting the east wall of this wing. This replaced a timber structure supporting a large rectangular tank which appears to have been erected as part of the 1887-8 works. In this area is a header tank on a metal frame and a pump. A vertically boarded timber fence separate these service items from the formal garden.

OUTBUILDINGS AND FEATURES

The main outbuilding complex is situated on the slope to the south of the main house. It contains a number of white painted timber structures with iron roofs. These are set amongst grassed paddocks and are interspersed with fences, yards, drains, troughs, copses and a number of individual trees (principally pines and elms).

There are a number of structures which lie to the west outside the Trust's boundary. These include a machine shed, cottage and vehicle shed. Another concentration of outbuildings is situated on the southern side of Saumarez Creek, 2 kilometres outside the Trust's property. This consists of the woolshed and shearer's accommodation. A gardener's cottage (unoccupied) is located east of the Trust's boundary.

The south end of the Trust's property is the site of the early Saumarez Head Station of Dumaresq and Thomas. This contained a homestead, stables, yards and garden. The structures which have survived from this period are the 'old Store' [132] and a brick addition to the homestead [142]. All remaining structures of the outbuilding area were built during the White's occupancy. Many were constructed by carpenter/ contractor J. McLennan.

A plan c1900-10 shows the outbuilding area containing Jack Haynes cottage (northern section), early brick homestead, store, hay shed, blacksmith's machinery shed, stables and a structure (possibly a kitchen) between Jack Haynes' and the early brick homestead.

The office of F. J. White stood on the crest of the ridge and formed the visual and functional link between the main house and the outbuilding area. A path provided access to the office from the house.

Poultry Coop

This consists of a small iron-clad timber framed shelter shed which opens onto an enclosed yard. It was used by F. J. White and his daughters for breeding pheasants, bantams and other prize fowl.

Milking Shed

A timber stud framed building clad entirely of corrugated iron with a gabled roof. It has a skillion to one side. Internally it has provision for six milking bails. It appears on the plan of 1900-10 and in photographs of 1913.

Privy

A small iron clad structure with a curved roof situated amongst a grove of pines.

Hay Shed

A large gabled timber structure composed entirely of trimmed poles with skillion roofed sections to two sides. At one end is a small loft reached by a timber stair. The lower walls are formed with timber slabs while the remainder and the roof is clad with corrugated galvanised iron.

A 6 cylinder petrol driven engine of American manufacture is located in the engine room at the northern end of the structure. This probably replaced a steam engine that was used to power a chaffcutter which is situated in the loft above together with the pulley belts and associated machinery. The chaff room is internally lined with flattened iron. The structure also housed the work horses. Only two of the stalls remain in situ.

The building is depicted in the 1900-10 plan with the stalls, harness, cart and chaff rooms in the eastern skillion.

Yards

These consist of post and rail fences forming a series of races, cattle crushes and holding pens. They are made from trimmed hardwood tree trunk posts joined by three or four horizontal split timber rails. Gates are either open timber rails with bracing or tubular steel frame with steel mesh infill.

Bull Stall & Privy

This is a small gabled roof structure open at the sides and constructed from trimmed tree trunks. The walls and roof are iron. There is a small privy skillion on its south side and a larger open skillion adjoining its north-east corner. There is a water trough in the paddock to its west. This structure was erected by 1913.

Shed

This is a small skillion roofed structure on the southern side of the yards and was used to house Elsie White's horse.

Fowl Yard

This consists of two structures enclosed by an iron clad fence. A gabled structure is on the west side and a skillion along the south. There is a feed house in the centre capped by a small gabled roof. The complex contains laying boxes, roosting room, broody hen box, chicken hatchery and breeding pens. It is not shown in the 1900-10 plans but appears in the 1913 photos.

Blacksmith's Shed and Machinery Store

This consists of a gabled structure with a loft store above and open area below. There is a two roomed skillion at the east end housing the blacksmith's shop. The frame is made of trimmed timber poles clad in iron. The walls of the shop are formed of timber slabs. The roof is of iron. The loft is reached by an external stair on its western side. the ground floor area houses a number of old wagons and buggies as well as agricultural machinery mostly dating from 1900-1930 and of overseas origin.

The blacksmith's shop contains a bellows, anvil, forge and chimney, bench, vice and miscellaneous tools. There is a twentieth century rodent proof storage room in the loft.

Killing Shed

Constructed from trimmed timber posts, this consists of a high gabled roof killing room with a long skillion to one side for cleaning and storage. The lower walls are of vertical slabs and upper areas lined with weatherboards. The roof is of corrugated iron.

There are yards to the east designed to head the steer into the killing room. A slaughterman stood on a landing above the beast and killed it with a lance. It was then winched up with a block and tackle and butchered. Blood gutters lead outside from the concrete floor.

Meat Room

A small timber framed gable iron roofed building. It has horizontal weatherboard walls to about 900mm high and flat asbestos cement cladding above. Ventilation and light is given by windows screened with fine wire mesh. The floor is of reinforced concrete and appears to date c1960.

Stables

Consists of a T-shaped building with skillions on its north and south sides. In the west section are the stables and in the east a vehicle shed with large double doors. The building has an ion roof with skylights over the stabling area. Further light is provided by small fixed six-pane windows. Internally the building is completely fitted out and has brick floors generally with scored timber boards in the passage. There is a small timber lean-to on the north side for farm vehicles and buggies though this was initially built to house polo ponies. The building contains stalls, harness room, food bins, water trough and mail distribution point for employees.

The iron clad pole frame vehicle shed is an addition to the weatherboard timber stud framed stables section. The latter is shown on the 1900-1910 plan with north skillion and open buggy shed at its south. The building appears in its present form in the 1913 photographs.

Store

Timber barn building with a gabled iron roof. It has skillions to three sides. Exterior cladding is of lapped weatherboards with internal walls of slabs. The western side appears to have had a recessed verandah which is now partly enclosed. A loft is reached by an external timber stair at its north end. There is a lean to iron and timber structure on the eastern side for storing farm vehicles. Windows are fixed six pane sashes and doors vertically boarded. The frame of the central gabled section is post and beam construction, the members of which are adzed and morticed and tenoned together. The five pots supporting the upper floor bearer are pit sawn with broad axed stop chamfers. These posts are reused as indicated by their varying surface coatings. The remaining timbers in the structure are circular sawn with the exception of the slabs which are attached to the circular sawn framing. The projecting wall top plates make the building appear to have had its northern end truncated. It is possible that the central core of this building dates to Dumaresq's occupancy. A building, identified in the 1850s and 1860s as a 'stables' is shown on the site of the present Store from the 1840s.

Chicken Coop

This is a rough skillion structure of iron clad timber framing. Its east wall is partially enclosed in chicken wire. It probably served the occupants of Jack Haynes' cottage.

Jack Haynes' Cottage

This structure consists of three sections: 4 roomed gabled section to the north, 2 roomed hipped section to the south and gabled laundry to the west of the hipped section.

It is a weatherboard structure with the exception of the laundry which is clad in iron. The north section contains some early joinery such as a chimneypiece and French doors. The laundry contains a finely glazed window. These have been reused and may have been part of the early Dumaresq/ Thomas homestead on the site of which this structure now stands.

The northern section is shown in the 1900-1910 plan and 1913 photographs linked to another structure (probably a kitchen) by a covered way. The south section which contains the kitchen dates to c1910 and may have been moved to this site.

To the north of the cottage is a small ornamental garden and an orchard.

The residence was occupied by Jack Haynes who worked on the property for over 60 years. He became responsible for all work on the property for over 60 years. He became responsible for all work at the stables, breeding programmes for poultry and pigs, the training of riding horses and abattoir work.

Early Homestead - 'The Thomas House'

A single storey sandstock brick building on stone rubble foundations of three rooms having a hipped corrugated iron roof with timber shingles remaining underneath. The roofing timbers are pit-sawn. Windows are large 12-paned pattern and doors are 4-panelled. There is a bellcast iron verandah to two sides with evidence of it having returned along the third (eastern) side. A short length of skillion roofed verandah acts as a connecting porch. The interior joinery is polished cedar including the chimneypieces. The internal door joinery differs slightly from that of the exterior doors and the flooring is discontinuous at each internal door.

This structure was built by Thomas and appears in an 1870s photograph at the east end of a shingled slab structure which is thought to be the original homestead. This brick building was probably a bedroom addition to the homestead. The use of horns on the window sashes, the large area of the windows and the later Victorian detailing of the joinery and chimneypieces indicate a late 1860s early 1870s date for its construction. Wallpaper is thought to date from c1900-10. The north room was stripped of its paper and fitted out as an office for use as a set in the film 'Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith' in the 1970s. The bottom 1m of wallpaper in the south room was eaten by sheep in 1984.

Privy [151]

A small timber structure. A pipe leads from the structure into an underground trench and soakage pit indicating it was a WC. It probably served the occupants of Jack Haynes' cottage.

Cow Shed

This is a rough iron and timber skillion structure. It compares markedly to the facilities for White's own cattle. There is an ash dump against its west wall.

Ram Shed

This is situated apart from the other structures on the south side of a copse of trees. It is iron clad with a gabled roof. The floor is raised and there are food troughs along its north wall.

Blacksmith's Shed (interior)

Garage