FOR THE GROUNDS AND COMPANION BUILDINGS I OF I …

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I I I

CONSERVATION I

MANAGEMENT PLAN . I I

FOR THE GROUNDS

AND COMPANION BUILDINGS

I OF

I ESKBANK HOUSE I I I I I I I I I IAN RUFUS

LITHGOW / DESIGN / HERITAGE PLAN.NER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Photographs List of Figures

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 What is a Conservation Plan? 1.2 Cultural Significance 1.3 Historical Significance 1.4 Aesthetic Significance 1.5 Social Significance 1.6 Opportunitie; and Constraints 1.7 Conservation policy

2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Acknowledgments 2.2 Study background 2.3 Study limitations 2.4 Names used in this plan 2.5 Methodology

CONSERVATION ANALYSIS 3.0 mSTORY OF THE PLACE

3.1 1839 - 1881: Thomas Brown 3.2 1881 - 1892: James Rutherford 3.3 1892 - 1907: William Sandford 3.4 1908 - 1928: George and Charles Hoskins 3.5 1920 -1928: WilliamMortlock 3.6 1928 - 1948 3.7 1944 - present

4.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS 4.1 EskbankHouse

·4.2 Companion buildings to Eskbank House 4.3 Stable I Coach House 4.4 Worker's house 4.5 Blacksmith's Courtyard 4.6 Garden house 4.7 Siting of the property and early companion buildings 4.8 Post 1960 buildings

5.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE LANDSCAPE 5.1 Geology and Geography 5.2 Garden 5.3 Fencing 5.4 Visual qualities 5.5 Curtilage

6.0 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

-7.0 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

7.1 Historical 7.2 Aesthetic 7.3 Social 7.4 Technical/Research 7.5 NSW Heritage Database matrix

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1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 4 4 4 5 5 5

6 6 6 11 12 13 13 14 14 18 19 19 19 19 19 26 29 29 31 31 32 35 38 40 40

41 42 42 42 42 42

CONSERVATION POLICY 8.0 OPPORTUNITIES, ISSUES AND CONSTRAINTS

8.1 Introduction 8.2 The Bnrra Charter 8.3 Ownership 8.4 Statutory situation 8.5 Stakeholders 8.6 Condition of companion buildings 8.7 Current usage and interpretation 8.8 External opportunities and constraints

9.0 CONSERVATION POLICY 9.1 General conservation policy 9.2 Companion lnildings conservation policy 9.3 Landscape conservation policy

44 44 44 44 44 44 45 45 46 46 48 48 48 48

CONSERVATION POLICY IMPLEMENTATION 50 (

10.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 50 10.1 Materials conservation 50 10.2 Companion buildings 50 10.3 Stable / coach house 50 10.4 Worker's House 52 10.5 Attic to stable / coach house 53 10.6 Blacksmith's Courtyard 54 10.7 Existing garden house 55 10.8 First garden house 57 10.9 Garden 58 10.10 Garden ornaments 61 10.11 Static outdoor machinery display 63 10.12 Fencing 63 10.13 Site storage replacement 63 10.14 Parking and pedestrian access 64

11.0 MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 66 11.1 Current management 66 11.2 Management proposals 66 11.3 Land use management of nearby land 68 11.4 Interpretation 68 11.5 Maintenance 70 11.6 Review of this plan 70

12.0 BmLIOGRAPHY 71

13.0 APPENDICES 73

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LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS'

Photograph 1 page 8

Photograph of a watercolour of the northern elevation ofEskbank House dated 1860 from the diary ofMrs Benjamin Martindale. It shows the house prior to the rear wings or the bay windows, and a small garden house to the west, now gone.

Photograph 2 page 9

Detail of front view (northern elevation) of Eskbank House, with Thomas and Mary BrOlffl. The photograph is undated, but dates between the bUilding of the small timber platform in 1875 (CargillI977, p. 4) for Brown's use, and the death ofMary Brown in 1878 (A1cKenzie, nd).

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Photograph 3 page 11

View north-west across the Lithgow valley.' The south-western end of the current Eskbank House property is seen on centre right, showing the large eucalypts and fencing. Stumps remain in the paddock in the foreground Rutherford's Blast Furnace, with a plume of smoke, is seen in the centre, at the western extremity of Brown's original land, and the Great Western Railway heading to Eskbank station and yards is seen centre left.

Photograph 4 page12

William Sandford's Blast Furnace, with clouds of steam and smoke, and Eskbank House, an oasis in the bare earth (1907).


Wi lliam Mortlock and family outside Eskbank House. The photograph is undated, but would be from the time of their occupancy of the house from 1920-8. Note the less formal, or untended nature of the garden, especially the rose climbing up over the shingle roof


The mature group ofRobinias at the rear of the house continue to create a framework for the present day garden. They are an important link with the evolution of the garden. (llthgow District Historical Society file on Eskbank House)


Looking northwest from Inch Street, across the lower end of the property. (Lithgow District Historical Society file on EskbankHouse)

Photograph 8 page 16 Current view of area in photograph 6



Breakfast room and garden house from across the railway line on the north eastern boundary. (Lithgow District Historical Society file on Eskbank House)


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Photograph 12 page 23 Early companion buildings in 1875-8, taken from Inch Street, a contemporary photograph to No 2

Photograph 13 page 23 Stable I coach house andworker's house.

Photograph 14 page 24 External stairs to attic up western side 0/ stable / coach house.

Photograph 15 page 24 Blacksmith's courtyard, northern wall showing stonework

Photograph 16 page 25 Detail in blacksmith's courtyard.

Photograph 17 page 25 Detail o/roo/intersection o/worker's house with stable !coach house, showing evidence o/patching over the earlier shingles against the wall.

Photograph 18 page 26 Western/ace o/blacksmith 's courtyard

Photograph 19 page27 Garden house.

Photograph 20 page 27 Garden house, northern elevation.

Photograph 21 page 30 Current toilet block - western elevation

Photograph 22 page 30 Lithgow Pottery Display Room - northern elevation

Photograph 23 page 31 View 0/ the public Eskbank Station with the opposite waiting room under construction, prior to opening in 1882. Note the siding to Eskbank Colliery, with Eskbank house in the middle distance, surrounded by large eucalypts. Note the large mature eucalypts and spacing on the fertile valley floor, with smaller "trees on the higher, drier and more exposed sandstone ridges.

Photograph25 page36 Detail 0/1907 panorama view o/Eskbank House, showing/encing.

Photograph 26 page 36 Circa 1945 view o/boundary palingfence.

Photograph 27 page 37 Bennett Street fro'!,tage. -

Photograph 28 page 37 Picket/ence on northern boundary.

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Photograph 29 page 38 Path along the route of the earlier driveway shown on the 1920's sketch plan.

Photograph 30 page 39 Entry driveway.

Photograph 31 page 39 Bitumen carpark and turning area.


Partial landscape remnants - grpvelled paths and mature conifers at the front of the main house.

Photograph 33 page 51 Cramped storage / display in stable / coach house.

Photograph 34 page 52 Stable / coach house - protection for displays / supporting posts.

Photograph 35 page 53 Worker's house converted to a garage.

Photograph 36 page 54 Blacksmith's courtyard, showing displays and roofing.

Photograph 37 page 55 Blacksmith's courtyard, shOwing wall and gate details.

Photograph 38 page 56 Garden house, portico elevation.

Photograph 39 page 56 Garden house, portico details.

Photograph 40 page 57 Garden house, internal detail.

Photograph 41 page 58 Firstgarden house, and gardener? Detailfrom 1875-8 photographs.


The front of Eskbank house today. The encircling carriageway has been reduced to a narrow gravel path. The grevillea hedge planted at the verandah's edge dominates the front garden elevation and obscures the view of the elevation of the house. Two roses at the front step are reputed to be propagatedfrom those originally growing along the verandah. The brick edging of the small apron of grass approximates the outer edge of the garden bed shown in the photograph of Thomas Brown's time.

Photograph 43 page 61 Garden archway.

Photograph 44 page 62 Cradle.

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Photograph 45 page 62 Bird feeder.

Photograph 46 page 65 Easy grade of grassed area would allow a gravel pathway to be linked with a reformed carriageway.


Original carriageway passed next to verandah, and would link with new path at this point.

Phorographs48 and 49 page 67 Grassed areas south of the bUildings are generous in scale and pleasing in settingfor outdoor uses.

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 page 6

Location map ofLithgow, showing the relationship to the crossing points of the Blue Mountains.

Figure 2 page 7

Land initially purchased by Thomas Brown in the Lithgow Valley.

Figure 3 page 10

Major early industrial development in Lithgow, showing relationship to Thomas Brown's initiallant! holdings.

Figure 4 page 14

Map of Lithgow, showing the relationship of Eskbank House to the town

Figure 5 page 18

Site plan ofEskbankHouse, showing bUildings and current surrounding landuses.

Figure 6 page 20

Measured sketch plan of stable / coach house, blacksmith's courtyard and worker's house

Figure 7 page 21

Measured sketch elevations of stable / coach house, blacksmith's courtyard and worker's house

Figure 8 page 28

Measured sketch plan and elevations of the garden house.

Figure 9 page 33

Detailfrom railway working plan dated 1866, but including updates as the development of sidings, sheds, yards etc occurred. Base information possibly includes buildings, garden and fondng layout of Eskbank House.

Figure 10 page 34

Sketch plan from the Lithgow District Historical Sodety file on Eskbank house, accompanying the description by Britfen andMcKenzie of life at the property in the 1920's. It shows details of both bUilding and garden uses.

Figure 11 page 47

State Mine Railway Heritage Park proposal, showing railway linkage with Eskbank House

Figure 12 page 60

Opportunities and constraints for the grounds of the property and setting.

Figure 13 page 69 Conservation development options for Eskbank House

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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 What is a Conservation Plan?

A conservation plan determines the cultural significance, or what is important to the local and wider community, of a place. The protection of significance is a vital component of the use of the property, and changes to that use. It then helps to guide the future use and management to help protect what is important. It looks at the opportunities that exist to maximise the attributes of the place in practical use and adaptation, to help in its conservation. The plan also acknowledges any constraints, including the owner's requirements, legal and legislative requirements, the condition of the place and development opportunities, which will also determine what can be done.

1.2 Cultural Significance

This plan recognises and describes the considerablepultural significance ofEskbank House, particularly regarding the categories of historic, aesthetic and social significance. These different aspects of significance should be conserved so that present and future generations can better understand the themes that are identified in the plan.

1.3 Historical Significance

Thomas Brown, MLA, built "Eskbank House" in 1842. The earliest existing building in the Lithgow valley proper, it is a prime ~xample of an early ashlar sandstone farmhouse of Victorian Georgian design, complete with companion buildings and a distinctive garden house. Brown founded the first sizeable, commercially successful operating coalmine in the Lithgow Valley, and fostered the industrial development ofLithgow by providing land for industry in return for purchase of his coal, leading to most of the early industrial development in Lithgow taking place on his original land purchase.

It was later the property ofWilliam Sandford, who was the first to make a success of steelmaking and iron smelting in Australia, and of the Hoskins brothers that enlarged and furthered those endeavours and went on to develop the Australian Iron and Steel company. The house was occupied by the works managers; in particular William Mortlock, the first Australian born manager of the Blast Furnace, who later managed the Port Kembla works.

1.4 Aesthetic Significance

The property is a landmark, and is aesthetically distinctive in architectural and landscape terms. Flanked by industrial development, the property still substantially retains the curtilage of its original garden. The location of the house on a knoll within the valley floor maintains clear lines of sight to the once again forested ridges that .provide the setting for the town ofLithgow.

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1.5 Social Significance

The property is the headquarters of the Lithgow District Historical Society, and was for many years the only formal repository of historic material for the Lithgow area. It is valued at the local level for its occupational associations with the effective founder of the city, and mining and industrial leaders in the state. Its standard offine Victorian Georgian design, nobility of materials and landscaped setting is held in high regard within the Australian community. The property was resurrected by local community and,. business people, being an example of local commitment to the heritage of the town.

1.6 Opportunities and Constraints

The heritage valu~ of the property would be better utilised by the community with higher visitation and usage. This plan will suggest uses to supplement the current usage of the property, compatible with the conservation of the cultural significance of the place.

1. 7 Conservation policy

Conservation policy needs to be more than just management of a place. The Lithgow District Historical Society and the Greater Lithgow City Council have a particular responsibility as managers and owners of this property, as they are both custodians and the Council is the regulatory body for development. They need t6 lead and direct by example.

The main house, companion buildings, grounds and collection at Eskbank House have high levels of cultural significance, at local, state and countrywide levels. However, the current interpretation of all these aspects is poor, which may be responsible for the low present visitation of the property. The research and documentation in this plan can also be used as a base for new interpretive brochures, to explain the significance of the site. The possibility of interactive displays could also increase the interpretation of the site, and also provide a portable and saleable interpretive device. Interpretation can also serve to link.Eskbank House in the broader picture of the heritage ofLithgow, which will also provide linkage into the developing heritage tourism business in the area. '

This plan should be seen as a guide to the conservation work required to protect the importance of the place, although a detailed schedule of actuaJ works to be done is not part of this plan. It is a handbook for use by the Council as the owners, the Society as the body concerned with everyday management of the property, a conservation architect commissioned to detail proposed works, a landscape / horticultural consultant for planning and planting, a builder or trades person capable of implementing the conservation policy and everyday care and maintenance ofthe-property, including the grounds. It also notes land use issues for adjacent properties and significant vistas, both to and from the property.

Lithgow has the reputation of a working class town, with a strong union base. There is an increasing interest in heritage in the community, which is reflected in the greater pride being taken in early buildings in the town, and the utilisation of heritage resources for

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tourism purposes. The collection held by the Lithgow District IHstorical SocietY' includes substantial material relating to the lives and occupations ofLithgow, and will be further improved by display in the new pottery room. Many of the exhibits relating to the working people of the town are in a poor state of preservation, with little or no interpretative information.

Possible additional uses could capitalise on the large, open grassed areas on the site for functions under portable coverings, such as for parties, product display purposes, with the backdrop of the buildings, which could be used for functions. The use ofthe covered courtyard area would be highly appropriate for the purpose, being the location of a number of functions held at the house in its history. The interpretation of the property could also tie in with other attractions in the Lithgow area.

The opportunities presented here for adaptive re-use of the property, including the buildings and the grounds, are by no means exclusive and should be considered as examples, showing how the cultural significance of the property can be maintained whilst gaining economic and cultural use opportunities for t):le property, leading to better exposure to the community of the heritage value of property in itself and as it relates to the City of Greater Lithgow.



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2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges with thanks the assistance of the following organisations and people:

Committee Members of the Lithgow District Historical Society ran Holt, Research and Development Officer for the Lithgow District Historical Seciety Bob Cohen, caretaker ofEskbank House Stuart McPherson, General Managet, Greater Lithgow City Council Len Parsons, Resource Manager, Greater Lithgow City Council Trevor Howells and Colleen Morris, lecturers in Conservation Methods and Practices, Heritage Conservation program, University of Sydney.

2.2 Study background

This plan for the companion buildings and the grounds is being carried out to sati~fY the requirements ofthe Conservation Methods and Practices subject, Heritage Conservation Program, Department of Architecture, as part of the course requirements for the Mastds in Heritage Conservation at University of Sydney. Further work is needed to cover the house.

The brief from Lithgow District Historical Society was simple, to, provide conservation management requirements for the site, dealing separately with the buildings and the grounds. The draft plan was identified by the Society as being necessary to ,guide ,further use and conservation of the property. Funding for capital and routine works would then be sought, using the plan as a basis. The detailed conservation requirements for the building fabric, the horticultural stock and the collection would be covered separately by particular specialists in the field.

As the plan process progressed and further discussions between the author and Society members, and within the Society itself, took plac~,,~he brief was effectively amended. Advice was also taken from the Council's Heritage Advisor, Ms Jyoti Somerville. A copy of the Society's notes of her site meeting, the original "brief" and the further 11 points for considerationll are attached in appendix X.

Horticultural detail and identification of species was checked with Rosanne Paskin of Rose Deco Planning and Design, who carries out heritage landscape assessment and design. Detailed and ongoing landscape and horticultural advice will be provided by the company as a free service to the Society.

Measured drawings ofthe early buildings have been carried out by Talleen Tashjian, Jeanette Hensen and Frances Ng, third year Architecture students at the University of Sydney. These have been attached in Appendix 1, augmenting an earlier study by third year Architecture students from the University of New South Wales in 1973.

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The Plan was presented' twice-to the Society, firstly at the stage of preparation of statement of significance, and then at draft plan stage. Detailed submissions were made by key Society members and incorporated in the final plan.

Finally, although the plan is being prepared by the Heritage Planner for Greater Lithgow City Council, which owns the property, the views expressed in this report are not necessarily those of the Council, nor do they imply that Council funding will be available for the works outlined. However, the completion of this plan will provide a sound base for applications for funding from private sources, business and government at local, state and federal level.

2.3 Study limitations

Although the property is the headquarters of the Lithgow District Historical Society, little background was available from their records detailing the history of the house as it pertains to the significance of the property. 'This was compounded by the fact that Thomas Brown's personal papers were destroyed op. his instructions after his death. Extensive literature searches were done, sufficient to prepare the Statement of Significance. However, this report on the property would benefit from further secondary research in papers relating to Thomas Brown's contemporaries in the district and later owners and occupiers of the property, to glean further details on both building and landscape issues.

2.4 Names used in this plan

Eskbank House is the name by which the property is known today, While the original property appears to have been referred to as "Esk Bank", the house itself was known as "The Grange". Early references to the associated railway station and colliery also joined the words together. For clarity, this work uses the modern name throughout.

The term "outbuilding" is often used to identify a building other than the main house on a property. This is often a building used for by and for workers on the property and has elitist connotations in both architectural and social terms. The buildings covered by this plan form the working part of the property, and provide the setting for the house. They accompany the main house rather than s~mply be associated or be outside. Therefore, the term companion buildings, and tile names for each of those buildings currently used by the Society, will be used by this plan.

2.5 Methodology

The preparation of this plan has been done acknowledging the philosophy and terminology used in The Australia ICOMOS Carter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance, (the "Burra Charter") and following the general principles of The Conservation Plan by Jim Kerr, which are the accepted guiding documents for these purposes.

Documentary research, site inspection and oral research was carried -out to complete the plan, and the sources are referenced, and listed in the bibliography.

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CONSERV A TION ANALYSIS

3.0 HISTORY OF THE PLACE

3.1 1839-1881 Thomas Brown

Thomas Brown is widely regarded as the founder of Lithgow He emigrated from -Scotland, arriving in December 1838. Andrew Brown, although not related but also from Scotland, had already taken up land adjacent to the road to Bathurst at the mouth of the Lithgow Valley. The first record of Thomas Brown 111 the Lithgow area is a mention in Andrew Brown's diary on the 27th of February 1839. Thomas Brown had leased Andrew Brown's CooeI\vull flour mill for two years Pal1 of the duties of Thomas Brown while at the mill was to oversee the construction of Andrew Brown's "CooeI\vull House" (Brown, 1989 p 55) This may indicate that Thomas Brown had experience in building Both Andrew Brown's Cooerwull House and Cooerwull Academy are fine ashlar sandstone buildings, with bay windows and return verandahs. These features are carried through to Eskbank House.

Thomas Brown purchased land adjacent to Andrevl Brown's hoiding at the valley mouth. He purchased Portions 53 and 54, Parish of Le tt, County of Cook, being 210 acres, in 1840 (Brown 1989 p.56). This was followed by the purchase of pOl1ions 55 and 60, bringing the total of his land holdings to 630 acres (Depal1ment of Lands 1971). These lands were watered by several springs, with direct access to CooeI\Vull Brook, now Farmers Creek. This increased his holdings further into the valley, on similarly suitable pastoral land, disdaining the drier secondary ridge. These initial land holdings are shown on Figure 1.

Figure J Location lIlap of Lilhgow, showing the relationship to the crossillg points of the Blue Aiollll/aills.

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Figure 2

BANK ,., "Sl!...

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Lalld il/ilia/~v purchased by Thol1las Brown in the Lithgow Valley

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Andrew Brown had been "getting coal" for his own purposes, including lime burning, since 1838 (Brown, 1989 p.93). Since Thomas Brown had been involved with Andrew Brown's operations from 1839, he would have been aware of the mining prospects in the area. The eminent geologist Rev. W. 13. Clarke visited the valley in February 1841, and confirmed the commercial quantities of coaL However, coal was readily available from exposed seams locally around the valley perimeter and no industries to use coal were established in this isolated mountain valley. As no local markets and no economic method of bulk transport from the valley existed, coal was of little commercial use ,at that time.

. Eskbank House was constructed on Portion 55 in 1842. Convict labour may have been used, as a letter from Thomas Brown to Deas Thompson, the colonial secretary, thanks him for such favours (Lithgow District Historical Society notes, n.d.).

Photograph 1 Photograph of a watercolour of the 1I0rthem elevation of Eskhank House dated 1860 from the diary of Mrs Benjamill Martindale. 1t shows the house prior to the rear wings or the bay windows, and a small garden house to the west, flOW gone.

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As the land holdings of Thomas Brown grew, so did his importance within the local community. He was made a Bench Magistrate of Hartley Court House in 1852, Police Magistrate in 1855 and elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for Hartley in 1872(McKenzie, n.d.).

The extension of the Great Western Railway through the Lithgow Valley in 1869 increased industrial opportunity for the town and therefore the population. The census of 1871 found Lithgow with less than 100 persons, but by 1881, 2,112 persons resided there (Lyne, 1882 p.283). It is likely that Thomas Brown influenced the construction route of the Railway, as it had the potential to increase the importance and value of his industrial and farming assets in the Valley. Indeed, the first spur line from the Great Western Railway in the Lithgow Valley was constructed to Thomas Brown's Eskbank colliery in 1872. Although he did not open the first coal mine in the Valley, the total coal production for 1872 shows the Eskbank colliery output as 4,321 tons out of a Valley total of 5,221 tons (McKenzie, n.d.) indicating that his operation was by far the largest of the early mines. The Eskbank Colliery can be said to be the first sizeable, commercially successful operating coal mine in the Lithgow Valley, as the earlier mines can be classed almost as cottage industries. '

A contract to supply coal to the Railway was won by Brown, although his price was the highest of four tenders. After an investigation in 1876, Brown was disqualified and forced to resign from Parliament (Brown, ) 989 p.54).

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Photograph 2 Detail of front view (northern elevation) of Eskbank House, with Thomas and lvfmy Brown. The photograph is undated, but dates between the building of the small timber platform in 1875 (Cargill 1977, p. 4) for Brown's !lSe, alld the death of Mmy Brown ill 1878 (l'vfcKenzie, Il.d.).


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Figure 3 A.fajor early industrial development ill Lilhgow. showing relationship 10 Thomas BrowlI 's initial land holdings.

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3.2 1881 - 1892 James Rutherford

In 1874, constmction stmied on the first blast furnace in the Valley. A fifty year lease of 100 acres had been negotiated with Thomas Brown, containing iron ore bearing land. As a furnace charge took three times as much coal as iron ore, the ease of access to coal in the Lithgow Valley was of prime importance. Coal was to be supplied from the Eskbank colliery at a fixed price for the duration of the lease (Hughes, 1964 p. 19 - 20). The site was on Brown's property, next to the major creek draining the valley and directly above easy access to the coal seam also worked by Brown's Eskbank Colliery. This connects Thomas Brown directly with the fortunes of iron founding and working in Lithgow.

Considering the price of coal to be excessive, Rutherford then purchased the Eskbank colliery and land in 1881 (Hughes, 1964 p. 23), which included the ironworks and Eskbank House. After the sale, Brown moved to Sydney, severing his ties with the Lithgow Valley.

Photograph 3 View north-west across the Lithgow valley. The south-western end of the current EskbankHouse property is seen 011 centre right, showing the large eucalypts andfencing. Stumps remain ill the paddock ill the foreground. Ruthelford's Blast Furnace, with a plume of smoke, is seen ill the centre, at the western extremity of Brown's original land, and the Great Western Railway heading to Eskbank station and yards is seen celltre left.



3.3 1892 - 1907 William Sandford

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WiIIiam Sandford came to New South Wales from England in 1883, to set up a wire netting plant for John Lysaght, who was already a major manufacturer there (Hughes, 1964 p.26). After working at the Fitz Roy Ironworks near Mittagong, he first managed and then purchased the Eskbank Ironworks from Rutherford in 1892, including the estate. He therefore became the third owner ofEskbank House. He produced the first steel, the first commercially viable pig iron and the first all locally made galvanised iron, in Australia. The industrial plants that produced these materials were located on the original lands purchased by Thomas Brown, flanking Eskbank House.

Sandford himself built a new house at "Eskroy Park", 6 kilometres north of the town. This house is now owned by Lithgow Council and used for a golf clubhouse, with some original plantings of the property remaining within the course.

Photograph 4

William Salldford's Blast Furnace, with clouds of steam and smoke, and Eskbank House, all oasis in the bare earth.

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3.4 1908 - 1928 George and Charles Hoskins

George and Charles Hoskins purchased the works in 1908. While Eskroy Park and its lands are listed separately in the discussion of the assets (Hoskins 1995, p.39) there is no specific mention of Eskbank House, known at this time as "The Grange". It appears to be simply included in the extensive land owned by Sandford in the town Understandably, if Sandford's new house was available in a more salubrious location out of town, and travel by motor car allowed expeditious commuting, the town house was not as highly favoured. Eskbank House was available for the occupation by senior staff, in close proximity to the industrial operation.

3.5 1920 - 1928 William Mortlock

William Mortlock commenced work with the Sandford company in 1900, in time to see the pouring of the first Australian steel. He studied, metallurgy and engineering, and was clerk of works during the construction of No. 1 Blast Furnace. He stayed with Hoskins after the takeover (Ho skins 1995, p.39) and was the first Australian born manager of the Blast Furnace, from 1920 to 1928. During this time he and his family lived at Eskbank House as it was the manager's residence (Britten and McKenzie, n.d.), well sited between the Blast Furnace and the Steelw9rks. The roofing of the courtyard and the gabled extension to the eastern elevation were added prior to William Mortlock's second marriage in 1925 (McKenzie, 1985 p.l)

Photograph 5 William1vlortlock and family outside Eskbank House. The photograph is undated, but would be from the time of their occupancy of the house from 1920-8. Note the less fOl7l1al, or untended nature of the garden, especially the rose climbing up over the shingle roof



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3.6 1928 - 1948

During this period, the house conlll1ued to used as a managers residence, for the managers for the remaining colliery Interests in Lit for Australian Iron and Steel, the Hoskins company became, until they were closed DUrIng the Second World War, the demand for munitions and weapons required the Small Arms Factory to be in full swing and the supply of housing 111 Lithgow was short The house was divided into flats and sublet by various tenants

3.7 1944 - present •

In a letter to Australian Iron and Steel in 1944, the Lithgow Historical Committee requested the dedication of "the Grange" to the Council for "a,01JJ~eum of historical record being in itself probably the most important of all relics which may be housed therein", Control was vested in the Lithgow Historical Society, At the time of transfer to Council the house and grounds showed evidence of neglect Photographs 6, 7 and 8, were taken circa, 1945, apparently documenting the condition of the site on dedication to Council.

Eric Bracey, a local businessman, restored the propeny and furnished the house in the "taste of the late 1800's". Planting was carried out by he and his family, and the Society, in a 1950's parkland style, using conifers and deciduous planting, mainly of North American trees,

Figure 4

Map of Lithgow, shOWing the relationship of Eskbank House to the town

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Photograph 6

The mature group of Robinias at the rear of the house continue to create a jramewOf* for the present day garden. They are an important link with the evolution of the garden. (Lithgow District Historical Society file 011 EskbankHouse)

Photograph 7 Current view of area in photograph 6



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Photograph 8

Looking northwest from Inch Street, across the lower end of the property. (Lithgow District Historical Society file on Eskbank House)

Photograph 9 Current view ill photograph 8

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Photograph 10 Breakfast room and garden house ji '0 III across the railway line 011 the north eastern bOllndmy. District Historical Society jile on &kbankHollse)

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Photograph 11 Current view of area ill photograph 10

(Lithgow


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4.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS

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Figure 5 Site plan of Eskbank House, showing buildings and cunelll surrounding lallduses.

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4.1 Eskbanl{ House

Eskbank House itself is a single storey house of ashlar sandstone, margined and sparrow pecked, quarried nearby. It is capped with a slightly bell cast, originally hardwood shingle roof. Built in 1842, it is of Victorian Georgian design, with a simple symmetrical facade, enlivened by bay windows. A verandah is carried around the eastern, northern and western facade of the main section of the house, protecting it from the sun. Two hipped wings, of matching construction extend to the south. Twin verandahs almost filled the space between the wings. These were built over in the 1920's to provide a covered area, and a gabled extension made to the eastern wing, facing toward the garden house. As this plan does not deal with the main house at this time, attention will be focussed on the companion buildings.

4.2 Companion buildings to Eskbank House

The accompanying buildings to the house remain, showing a substantially intact group of buildings associated with a town house. These can pe grouped as a stable complex including a stable I coach house and workers cottage, and a distinctive garden house. The newer toilet, pottery display and service buildings will be considered in the context of operational and landscape issues.

4.3 Stable I Coach House

The gabled stable and coach house, with an attic above, are also Victorian Georgian in design, although not as finely detailed a~ Eskbank House, and built of coarser grained sandstone, but maintaining the I' ashlar coursing. It was used as a stable and for housing a coach, with an attic above, reached by external stone steps.

4.4 Worker's house

A single room worker's house is attached to the east, promulgating the line of the stable, but with a reduced ridge height and slightly different roof pitch. There appears to be an almost seamless join between the stable I coach house and worker's house. It was difficult to inspect inside the house due to its current use for storage, and the substantial mortar repairs seem to indicate a different mortar to that on the stable, possibly pointing to a different construction time.

4.5 Blacksmith's Courtyard

An courtyard style building, known as the blacksmith's court, is attached to the stable I coach house building. It is constructed of rusticated ashlar sandstone, with a skillion roof where it abuts the adjacent stable, and a hipped roof partly covering the internal area.



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Measured sketch plan of stable / coach house, blacksmith's courtyard and worker's house

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J\1easllred sketch elevatiolls of stable / coach hOllse. blacksmith's courtyard alld worker's house



22

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Measured sketch elevations of stable I coach house, blacksmith's courtyard and worker's house

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Photograph 12 Early companion buildings in 1875-8, takenfrolll fnch Street, a cOlltelllpOrGlY photograph to No 2 I

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24

Photograph 14 Extemal stairs to attic up westem side of stable I coach house.

Photograph 15 Blacksmith '8 northern wall stonework


Photograph 16 I Detail ill blacksmith 's courtyard.

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Photograph 17 Detail of roof intersection of worker's house with stable !coach house. showing evidence of patching over I the earlier shingles against the wall.

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26

Photograph 18 Westem face of blacksmith's courtyard

4.6 Garden house

The garden house is of Victorian Rustic Gothic design, constructed of ashlar sandstone with margined and rusticated I' qU9in~ terminating double 6" courses. This also includes single square faced stones detailed as for the quoins, being I' in height in the middle of 6" courses. Photograph X shows this building to be the only one entirely roofed in corrugated iron, and appearing to be painted in stripes. The playful use of detail on the building is best evident in this photograph, including the weathervane of a ship on the finial, and the ball terminations on the pinnacles.

"The use of the building is unclear, although it was understood to have been originally used by Thomas Brown as a museum. In the 1920's it contained scientific equipment (Britten and McKenzie, n.d.).

I 27

I I I I I I

Photograph 19

I Garden house.

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Photograph 20 Garden house, nor/hem elevation.

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28

Figllre 8 J/easllred sketch Illall alld elevatioll\' (Jiff/ 'f / . le gill (ell IOlIse.

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29

4.7 Siting of the property and early companion buildings

The house and garden are intellectually as well as practically sited, rather than for aesthetic reasons. The house faces due north as distinct from magnetic north, and is built on a knoll from where the better part of his holding could be viewed. The view from directly in front of the house extends up an arm of the Lithgow Valley, and includes a distant prospect of rock features in the side of the forested ridge.

The visual axis of this garden house, aligned along the ridge of the portico, when projected to the main house, aligns with the location where the garden house would have been viewed from the rear door into the central courtyard. The gabled stable building is aligned along the line to the rear door, to give the least disruption to the view when seen from that vantage. The companion buildings therefore radiate from the previous rear door to the main house, a logic which is lost now within the rear wings and roofed over courtyard. To an extent, the placement and alignment of the garden house remains, as the visual axis is now aligned to the place where a viewer would see it after leaving the extended breakfast room onto the verandah of the rhain house. This can be seen in Figure 5.

4.8 Post 1960 buildings

To accommodate the visitors needs, the visitor toilet block, with flat roof and metric concrete bricks, was constructed in the nOl1h eastern corner of the site, screened by shrubbery.

The Lithgow Pottery display room was constructed in 1993, diagonally opposite the workers house, adjacent to the machinery display, across the current vehicular access for the caretaker. The stone for the Pottery Room came from the stables at Barton Park, WalIerawang, demolished for the Wallerawang Power Station dam. The stables had a similar ashlar sandstone detail as for the Garden House, and the Blacksmith's Courtyard. The available rusticated stone, including quoins, set the design in keeping with the existing companion buildings.

Details of these later buildings are contained in the Council approved plans, copies of which are contained in Appendix 3.

A storage yard was built behind the blacksmith's courtyard to screen a demountable shed, coal, tools and other open storage.

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31

5.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE LANDSCAPE

5.1 Geology and Geography

The Lithgow Valley is characterised by Permian sediments overlain by the Narrabeen sandstones, which erode spectacularly to provide a feature laden rim to the valley itself The softer shales of the valley floor provide a base for clay soils of moderate fertility, which support tall forest in their native state (Nott & Hawkins, 1983 p. 7).

The early routes across the Blue Mountains skirted the Lithgow Valley, passing to the south en route to Bathurst and the western slopes and plains. Henry AntiIl, ADC to Governor Macquarie, noted in May 1815 at Campbell River, south west of the Lithgow Valley that lithe country ... was beautiful and open". A parklike landscape. of grassed open forest lands was a common observation of the early explorers, resulting from the use of fire as a land management tool by the Aborigines (Ryan, Ryan & Starr, n.d. p. 15). The early explorers noted open country to the west of the Mountains, and this would have encompassed the Lithgow Valley. Early photographs of the valley prior to major industrial development show large and stately eucalypts dotted across the valley floor, with wooded escarpments.

Photograph 23

View of the public Eskbank Station with the opposite waiting room under construction, prior to opening in 1882. Note the siding to Eskballk CollielY, with Eskballk house in the middle distance, surrounded by large eucalypls. Note the large mature eucalypls and spacing 011 the fertile valley jlOOf~ with smaller trees on the higher, drier and more exposed sandstone ridges.

32

The main access from Sydney, over the Blue Mountains and through the Hartley Valley was basically the route now traversed by the Great Western Highway. When Thomas Brown settled in the valley, he used the more convenient access to Hartley through the break in the ridge now known as Brown's Gap, which now provides road access to the top end of the Lithgow Valley from the Hartley Valley.

Photograph 23 shows the scale of pastoral development ofEskbank. The gabled stables and worker's house are of a scale that suggests garden maintenance rather than a , working farm. The ame.qded title to the property when upgraded to the Torrens system shows many leases to miners and bu~iness people in the town. These development and mining interests and Magistrate's income would have been Thomas Brown's prime source of funds, rather than dependence on farm income.

As industrial development in the Valley progressed, the house was increasingly surrounded by mines, factories, smelting works, brickworks and blast furnaces. Lombardy poplars were already a feature of the Lithgow streetscape, featuring prominently in the panorama photo ofLithgow taken in 1907. They were used to line both sides of the new Bennett street. Considerable planting around this time was done in new subdivisions and streets ofLithgow, with the Council at that time appearing to have been keen on providing a major backbone of planting in the street verges. These were mirrored by Pin Oaks inside the property boundary. The intent of the planting can be best appreciated in autumn when the red and yellow contrast is seen in the turning leaves.

5.2 Garden

A railway working plan, dating from 1866 shows the house and grounds having a layout very close to that seen Photographs 2 and 12. This has been enlarged and superimposed over the current site plan to indicate the appearance of the early garden. It is quite likely to be accurate given the fact that Edwin Barton, an engineer surveying the area for a route for the Railway, visited Eskbank many times (McKenzie 1969, n.p.).

It is likely that the gardens and grounds had a dual role: as a 'pleasure garden' with aesthetic appeal and as utilitarian in nature by providing food for the household with vegetables and livestock. Evidence is available of major trees, and some shrubs and smaller plants.

A photograph of the property at a distance in a panoramic view of Lithgow in 1907 shows the property to be well maintained within a garden featuring many specimen trees. However, apart from a single long distance photograph, shown at photograph 25, and a sketch plan from the 1920's, shown in figure. 1 0, there is no remaining evidence of a productive garden or orchard.

Possibly as protection from the encroaching industries, the garden appears to wrap around the house as protection. Clearly visible is a large tree planted outside the breakfast room, which appears to be the oak tree identified in the oral history and a survey plan, the Italian Cypresses at the front of the house, and the pines along the drive. Residents of the house at the time remember these trees as Pinus insignis,


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33

(Britten and McKenzie n.d. but cIrca 1984) or Radiata Pine, but inspection of the photograph, although twenty years previous, shows a form of the tree that does not ref1ect the usual form of the same species that are common 111 Lithgow today

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Detail from railway working plan dated 1866, but including updates as the development 0/ sidings, sheds, yards etc occurred. Base in/onnatton possibly includes buildings, garden alld fencing layout of Eskbank House.

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34

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Sketch plan from the Lithgow District Historical Society file on Eskbank house, accompanying the description by Britten and McKenzie of life at the property in the 1920's. It shows details of both bUilding and garden uses.

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35

In 1950, as part ofa submission for funding from tbeJoint Coal Board, Ashton and Taylor, Architects, were commissioned to determine how best to present the house and grounds. Basically, the approach can be summarised as stripping the house of changes that had been made since Brown's time, and rearranging the grounds completely in a contemporary (1950's) design, with a parklike setting. These works were never carried out.

In the 1960's, while the property was leased as a residence to Mr Blagoyevich, sheep and goats had free range of the property, which would have particularly affected the herbaceous plantings and possibly ringbarked trees that may have otherwise survived.

While the original front access for the property was appropriately Inch Street, which faced the Great Western Railway and lead onto Bell's Line of Road, giving access to Eskbank Station and Eskbank Colliery. This gave access both to The Grange and the adjoining house, occupied by Mr Merrick, the engineer at the steelworks at the time (Britten and McKenzie n.d.). In 1966 the land to the north ofEskbank house, previously used as "the old showground" was subdivided for iqdustrialland (Cranney 1966 n.p.). As part of that subdivision, Bennett Street was located along the foot of the slope leading up to the house.

The driveway along the side of the engineer's house in Inch Street currently encroaches upon the Eskbank House property. Figure,4 shows the access drive with an abrupt left turn at the rear of that property. It appears that one of the gateposts was located on the boundary of that lot. Until the relocation of the gates, access was gained through Eskbank House, off the alignment of tht! old carriage way (Quinn 1996, pers. comm.)

The entrance gates were relocated to the Bennett Street frontage after approval of the Council in 1969 and the original entry drive to the front of the house was grassed and planted with trees (Madden 1969 n.p.). It appears that substantial bulldozing and spreading of topsoil was done in these garden works, which makes it difficult to determine early garden details from site evidence.

5.3 Fencing

The property was originally fenced with a three rail split timber fence for the farm areas, with two rail split paling fences definingtlfe gat derrarea and providing some privacy and sense of enclosure. Distinctive ball tops to the gate posts of the garden fence can be seen, which matches the detail of the tops of the pinnacles to the garden house. These details can be seen particularly in Photograph 25. As the availability of wire fencing increased, the boundary fences appear to have been replaced with this material in the 1907 view, Photograph 24. Mesh fencing, most likely rabbit proof, protecjs the encircling garden, strengthened and finished with a top rail. A paling fence protects the orchard at this time.


Photograph 25 Detail of 1907 panorama view of Hskballk House, s/ioH'illgjellcing.

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Photograph 26 Circa 1945 view of boundary paling fence.

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I 37

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Photograph 27 Bel1llett Street frontage.

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Picketfence ollllortilern houndmy.

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38

At time of dedication to the Council, the entire garden area of the property was fenced with a 1.8 metre paling fence, generally in poor condition and breached in many places.

Currently, only the perimeter of the property is fenced, except for the small service yard behind the worker's house and blacksmith's court. Arrls rail picket fencing has been used to delineate the front of the property, in the section between the house front and the bus depot. Green, plastic coated chain wire, approximately 1.5 metres high has been used on the street frontages. Galvanised pipe farm style gates have been used for the publjc and private entries.

5.4 Visual qualities.

The property in Thomas Brown's time appears to have been quite open in appearance, with a few specimen plantings in a very ordered, geometric layout, centred on the main house. Entry by coach would have taken the visitor from the highest part of Inch Street, past the stable complex and through a gate leading onto the drive that encircled the house. The only remnant is that of the caretaker's access road, leading past the stables up to the back door. The driveway was later re-routed between two rows of dark radiata pines, which would have then opened onto the gravelled turning area at the front of the house. This driveway, noted as being rarely used in the 1920's, was grassed over in the 1960's planting scheme.

The current visitor entry is from Bennett Street, where the gateposts were relocated. Galvanised pipe gates lead on to a bitumen turning area, from where a path leads to the gravelled path at the front of the house. The property now is basically a landscaped park, studded with specimen trees, bounded by formal planting on the street frontages.

Photograph 29 Path along the route of the earlier driveway shown 011 the 1920's sketch plan.


I 39

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Photograph 30

I El1tly driveway.

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I bitumen ca/park and turning area.

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40

5.5 Cm'tilage

The original curtilage of the property was the ridges surrounding the entire valley, in terms of the visual catchment. This would have been the dominant view from the property at time of European settlement, through the large trees dotted on the valley floor. In the time of Thomas Brown, the garden was tightly defined by fencing for exclusion of stock. While the heavy industrial phase of Lithgow' s development was in full swing, the house pr9perty continued to be an oasis in the valley floor. This -continued up until the relocation of the Blast furnace and the Steelworks, when the garden in particular fell into disrepair.

A small portion of Brown's original garden was lost to the railway line from the Blast Furnace to the Steelworks .. The boundary of the railway was then used as a convenient boundary for the parcel of land that was provided for Eskbank House.

Given the location of the property on a knoll, and the generally 10\\' rise development in the valley, the visual curtilage of the property is still viable. The garden itself, as laid out and defined by the current fence has increased in size markedly, so much as to give an inflated impression as to the extent of the original garden.

6.0 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The following assessment of significance has been prepared using the Draft Manual for the use of Historical Themes and Evaluation Criteria, prepared by the Department of Planning, and the Draft Heritage Assessment Guidelines, prepared by the Heritage Council and the Department of Urban affairs and Planning. It utilises the New South Wales State Heritage Themes, deriving matters from the history of the place.

Convict Given the late development of the Lithgow Valley, relative to the founding of other coastal or western areas, the building ofEskbank House with convict labour leaves it as one of the few buildings in the town to have that status.

Pastoralism Thomas Brown purchased the first land sold in the Lithgow Valley. The 210 acres from this purchase were primarily a subsidiary valley, watered by several springs, with direct access to Cooerwull Brook, now Farmers Creek. He increased his holdings further into the valley, on similarly suitable pastoral land, disdaining a drier, secondary ridge. On this land he built Eskbank House.

Milling The Eskbank and Lithgow Valley Collieries, major winners of coal in the Valley, both had their pit tops in the original holding areas of Thomas Brown. The house would have been surrounded by such activities, and would have been extended and maintained on the profits of such industry. This is an integral part of the mining history ofLithgow and the State.



41

Transport. The availability of transport to markets opened up the exploitation of the coal deposits and the development of industry. Eskbank Colliery gained the advantage of proximity to the Great Western Railway by sinking a shaft directly into the seam adjacent to the line, and Thomas Brown likely had influence on the route of the Great Western Railway line through the Lithgow Valley, necessitating the construction ofthe Great Zig Zag.

Indus{IY The coal mines which supplied Thomas Brown and the railway attracted industry in the Valley, which was only second in importance to Sydney and Newcastle in its heyday. The availability offuel and transport fostered the development of industry.

Technology The development of iron smelting, steelmaking and rolling mills were major developments of the owners and occupiers of the house, being the first rriajor works in Australia.

Persons ~

Brown, Rutherford, Sandford, Hoskins, Mortlock and other managers of the industrial works in the Valley as listed in the history of the place had direct ownership, construction or occupational associations with Eskbank House.

In addition to State themes, the following issues are also of significance:

Rarity t ,

While Thomas Brown was also a pastoralist and a politician, his primary significance in Lithgow is his role in town and industrial development. There are many museums' dealing with heritage. House museums of original occupiers being pastoralists, politicians, public servants and policemen are well represented, and some town businessmen, but few other occupations (Walker 1988 p.53). Thomas Brown's occupation is not well represented in other house museums ..

Curtilage ' Many garqens are swallowed up when urban development envelopes historic buildings (Tanner 1988, p.32). In the case ofEskbank House, the surrounding flat pastoral lands were utilised for mainly ·industrial purposes, through all phases of development. The surrounding treed ridges still give a setting for the property. While a small portion of Brown's original garden was shaved by the railway line from the blast furnace to the steelworks, the garden itself as laid out and defined by the current fence increased in size markedly, and incorporated the companion buildings. Both these aspects of the site provide an exceptional curtilage, especially for a complex of buildings located within a town.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

This statement has been prepared using the four Nature of Significance Criteria listed in the Draft Heritage Assessment Guidelines from the New South Wales Heritage

42

Management System, prepared by the Heritage Council and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning.

7.1 Historical

Thomas Brown, MLA, built "Eskbank House" in 1842. The earliest existing building in the Lithgow valley proper, it is a prime example of an early ashlar sandstone farmhouse of Victorian Georgian design, complete with companion buildings and a distinctive garden house.

Brown founded the first sizeable, cqmmercially successful operating coalmine in the Lithgow Valley, and fostered the industrial development ofLithgow by providing land for industry in return for purchase of his coal, leading to most ofthe early industrial development in Lithgow taking place on his original land purchase.

It was later the property 'ofWiIliam Sandford, who was the first to make a success of steelmaking and iron smelting in Australia nearby, and of the Hoskins brothers that enIarged and furthered those endeavours and went on to develop the Australian Iron and Steel company. The house was occupied by the works managers, in particular WiIliam Mortlock, the first Australian born manager of the Blast Furnace, who went on to manage the Port Kembla works.

7.2 Aesthetic

The property is a landmark, and is aesthetically distinctive in architectural and landscape terms. Flanked by industrial development, the property still substantially retains the curtilage of its original garden. The location of the house on a moll within the valley floor maintains clear lines of sight to the once again forested ridges that provide the setting for the town ofLithgow.

7.3 Social

The property is the headquartyrs of the Lithgow District Historical Society, and was for many years the only formal repository of historic material for the Lithgow area. It is valued at the local level for its occupational associations with the effective founder of the city, and mining and industrial leaders in the state. Its standard of fine Victorian Georgian design, nobility of materials and landscaped setting is held in high rega~d within the Australian community. The property was resurrected by local community and business people, being an example of local commitment to the heritage of the town.

7.4 Technical/Research

While the property was owned and occupied by the leaders of industrial technology in Australia at the time, this does not fit the criteria for significance of this nature. The Blast Furnace and State Mine would be the sites of significance for this ·criteria.

7.5 NSW Heritage Database matrix


I I I I I I .1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I

43

Using the NSW Heritage Database matrix the significance of the property can be summarised as follows:

Nature of Significance Rare Represen tative

Historical State S.ate Aesthetic Local State Social Local State Teclmicall Research not applicable not applicable

44

CONSERVATION POLICY

8.0 OPPORTUNITIES, ISSUES AND CONSTRAINTS

8.1 Introduction

Conservation planning process requires the assessment of cultural significance of the place. However, this should not be done independently of development opportunities or constraints that affect a place. The protection of significance is a vital component of the use of the property, and ch~ges to that use.

8.2 The Burra Charter

Conservation work on significant buildings needs to be guided by the principles set out in the Burra Charter, which are "all the processes oflooking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance. It includes maintenance ... preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adaptation and will be commonly a combination of more than one of these." (Marquis-Kyle & Walker 1992, p. 21). Conservation of original fabric is a basic tenet of the Charter. A copy of the charter is attached at Appendix 4.

8.3 Ownership

The property is owned by Greater Lithgow City Council, for the use of the Lithgow District Historical Society, but the deed of agreement requires the active promotion of the objects of the Society, as approved by the Council.

8.4 Statutory situation

The land is zoned Residentia12(a), and the property is also identified as a heritage item in Greater Lithgow Local Environn1-ental Plan 1994. Under the conservation incentives of the Plan, the property may be used for any purpose with Council approval, provided the conservation ofthe property is achieved and the amenity of the area is maintained. Also, development of nearby land must not detrimentally affect the heritage significance of the place. Greater Lithgow City Council has a policy of not permitting itinerant trading from property owned by the Council, ifthe land is not .suitably zoned for that type of development and the appropriate infrastructure is not provided. TIns policy protects those traders which have set up in business areas, and contribute to the maintenance of parking and other facilities. It may be seen that the commercial possibilities for Eskbank House unfairly compete with other businesses in the town. In this case, the listing of the property as a heritage item allows any purpose for the site. Tllls should be formally clarified by the Society with the Council, dependent on any proposed use.

The property is listed by the National Trust of Australia and is entered on the Register of the National Estate. There are no State conservation orders over the property, presumably as the overall conservation ofthe" property has not been threatened.


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45

Copies or relevant extracts of these .documents are attached at Appendix 5.

8.5 Stakeholders.

There are particular individuals and groups that have a stake in the property, and this plan needs to recognise their interests.

The needs of the Lithgow District Historical Society are basically to continue with the use of the property as a house museum. Given the terms of the restoration of the house by Mr Bracey, and the collection of furniture and artefacts, with the perceived need to maintain the caretaker accommodation as at present, it is difficult to envisage a different usage for the house. While the house is not the subject of this plan in its present form, the usage of the house impinges on the usage of the companion buildings and grounds to a major extent.

Apart from use of the buildings and grounds for weddings, and refreshments for visitors, no other uses have been mooted by the Society. ,

There was no survey of visitors to the site carried out, given the constraints of time, which would have indicated customer satisfaction with the current level of interpretation ofthe property. In any case, visitation is not extensiv(}. at present.

Particularly as the site is in public ownership: the needs of all members of the community should be considered. Access for disabled persons should be a major consideration in design of any works. Th~ provision of sound surfaces, adequate access and appropriate grades is good design for people of all abilities.

Robert Cohen is a local historian and caretaker of the property. He wishes that there be no change to the current situation, particularly in regard to caretaker's use of the property. It is most important to provide reasonable accommodation to the caretaker, which also serves to maintain interest in the successful running of the property. This is recognised by the Society, as detailed in the brief .

Len Parsons, the Resource Manager for Greater Lithgow City Council, notes that the Council supports the continued conservation of the property, but that it is subject to the normal competition for internal funds as is any other Council project.

The heritage value of the property would be better utilised by the community with higher visitation and usage. TIllS plan will suggest uses to supplement the current usage of the property, compatible with the conservation of the cultural significance of the place.

8.6 Condition of companion buildings

It would seem that Eric Bracey did not appreciate the companion buildings to the same extent as he did the main house. In 1977, the house had been restored, but the companion buildings were in a deteriorated state (Australian Heritage Commission, n.d.). Indeed, when acknowledging the need for visitor toilets, he suggested that they

46

be accommodated in the stable, which would have reduced their interpretative value. The buildings are still poorly presented and interpreted for the public, with the worker1s house / garage being used for storage and the attic being cluttered by structural timbering to prevent the dwarf walls from spreading under the lateral force of the rafters.

The major repair works carried out in 1984 certainly contributed to the current reasonable overall condition of the buildings, although the loss of much original fabric in the process has reduced the significance of the buildings to a degree. Detailed condition reports of each..ofthe companion buildings and spaces are contained in Appendix 6.

8.7 Current usage and interpretation

Eric Bracey wished to emulate Vaucluse House in the restoration and presentation of Eskbank House. To tha1 end he accumulated furniture of the style of the mid 18001s, and laid out the major rooms in a manner he considered appropriate to a wealthy person of the times of Thomas Brown. The furniture is indeed of exceptional quality, and well presented.

Lithgow has the reputation of a working class town, with a strong union base. There is an increasing interest in heritage in the community, which is reflected in the greater pride being taken in early buildings in the town, and the utilisation of heritage resources for tourism purposes. The collection held by the Lithgow District Historical Society includes substantial material relating to the lives and occupations ofLithgow, and will be further improved by display in the new pottery room. Many of the exhibits relating to the working people of the town are in a poor state ofpreservatiort, withlittle or no interpretative information. For example, the Lithgow Pottery on display is generally of artistic rather than utilitarian merit, serving to skew interpretation of the major production of the Pottery, which was unglamorous sewer pipes and associated stuff. The restoration, presentation and therefore likely public interpretation of Eskbank House in its current form can be seen as an elitist approach, that alienates the main population that it is supposed to serve. -

8.8 External opportunities and constraints

The State Mine Railway Heritage Park proposal comprises significant cultural heritage sites in Lithgow_ It would link the State Mine and Mining Museum, Lake Pillans, the Blast Furnace, Eskbank Station and a complex of railway structures, through the State Mine branch railway and associated lines. It would include Eskbank House in an overall heritage tourism development.

This has significant interpretive appeal to the linking ofEskbank House to the industrial and town development ofLithgow .. The industrial line did run directly to the north of Eskbank House, to link the Blast Furnace and the Steelworks, and the remaining line would be a part of the State Mine Railway Heritage Park proposal.


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47

UPGRADING OF RAILWAY YARD Extend existing sidings

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Stale JHine Railway / ferilage Park proposal. showillg railway lillkage Il'ilh /:'.,khullk Ilollse

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9.0 CONSERVATION POLICY

9.1 General conservation policy

This plan recognises and describes the considerable cultural significance of Eskbank House, particularly regarding the categories of historic, aesthetic and social significance. These different aspects of significance should be conserved so that present and future generations can better understand the themes that are identified in _ the plan. The Society and the Council have a particular responsibility as managers and owners of this property, as they are botp custodians and the Council is the regulatory body for development. Conservation policy needs to be more than just management, it needs to lead and direct by example.

9.2 Companion buildings consel'Vation policy

The fabric of the companion buildings is important to conserve. The original construction is largely intact, and even the changes that have occurred in early restoration works are interesting, determined by the approach taken to such work at the time. The impacts of those works were positive to the extent that replacement roofing, for example, has protected the structure beneath from further damage from the weather. The original fabric and construction, and the replacement materials and details, tell us about the history, social structures and aesthetic values over time in Lithgow.

Further acts of repair and intervention in the fabric will also be necessary to ensure the long term conservation of the building. These will change the perception of the place for the visitor, and it is necessary to minimise the loss of significance from these changes.

If elements are removed, changes reversed or missing parts reconstructed without regard for a policy for such work, the risk of interference with the possible interpretation of the property is great. Changes to buildings for adaptive re-use can occur provided they disturb or remove as little as possible of the surviving significant fabric. Planning is needed to ensure that building changes help to conserve significance, by leaving significant fabric. It is also necessary to ensure that changes do not have the potential to cause harm to that or other fabric of the building, in the short or long term.

9.3 Landscape consel'Vation policy

The curtilage of the gardens and grounds ofEskbank House form an important cultural landscape and as an important setting to the house and companion buildings on the site. The aim should be to conserve the garden and grounds at Eskbank House for this reason.

The grounds and gardens reflect the various ownerships ofEskbank House. The major part of the earliest layouts and the original large eucalypts have gone. In their place



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are more narrowed pathways and plantings approaching maturity. However, conclusions can be drawn from photographic evidence and the remaining elements and features to verify the placement and existence of the garden layout.

The existing plantings and layout partly incorporate surviving 19th century elements. This includes the general alignment of the gravelled paths that lead to the front entrance and verandahs of the house, the garden beds at the front of the house, the path linking the breakfast room and the garden house and several of the mature trees.

It is likely that the gardens and grounds had a dual role: as a 'pleasure garden' with aesthetic appeal and as utilitarian in nature by providing food for the household with vegetables and livestock. Evidence is available of major trees, and some shrubs and smaller plants. However, apart from a single long distance photograph and a sketch plan from the 1 there is no remaining evidence of productive gardens.

Photograph 32 Partial remnants - gravelled paths and mature conifers at the front of the main house.

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CONSERVATION POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

10.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

10.1 Materials conservation

The property has had a history of conservation work undertaken. In 1983, the corrugated iron on the stable / coach house and worker's house was replaced, and a substantial amount of replacement of sandstone blocks in the worker's house was done. The property has been effectively "cleaned up" in the previous work done. The replacement of many materials, muc~ of which was likely to be original fabric, is not current good conservation practice, as defined in the Burra Charter. This is also likely to affect the interpretive value of the property from a tourism viewpoint, as a substantial amount of original fabric has been removed.

10.2 Companion buildings

In the context of the required use of the property as a house museum, the opportunity exists to present the companion buildings in a manner as which they would have been originally used. The question of caretaker and visitor safety and utility should also be factored into the design.

The re-use of these buildings for other than displays to better interpret the property, or storage, would require extensive works that would arguably diminish the significance of the fabric, and the buildings as a whole. There are few voids in the buildings that would lend themselves to concealing modern services, and the heavy stonework combined with fragile early finishes mitigate against such insertion.

In this case, the best usage for the companion buildings would be to augment the presentation of the property as a residence. As noted earlier, these buildings can be presented in a way that better explains the work and conditions of the persons that also lived and worked on the property and in the town.

On these buildings, the stonework in general needs to be checked over and sensitive repairs carried out. There are a number of situations on the site where display materials or storage items lean against the walls, possibly leading to problems of abrasion of the stone or the increased possibility of damp problems. The proximity of plantings against the waIls is also an issue for that reason.

10.3 Stable / coach house

Returning the stable to accommodation for a horse, while appropriate for the original use of the building and part of its current interpretation, is not conducive to the long term integrity of the structure. Given the existing concrete floor, spreading of hay would be required, and subsequent mucking out would require washing with water, likely increasing the minor rising damp problem in the building at present. This could also have ramifications for the maintenance of the carriage presently stored in the building. The spreading of hay to cover the modern concrete would however be an



appropriate covering in presentation terms allowed to accumulate.

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that provided moisture was not

The recently fitted posts, possibly supporting the floor above, and holding the wire mesh that protects the displays, significantly detract from the and should be removed. It may be that the are not required for structural support tfthe live loads on the floor above are removed. If still required, to support loads generated by storage of both spare exhibits and caretakers goods, it may also be possible to provide strengthening above the floorboards, by providing additional joists bolted to the new structural framing inseIted in the 1984 works. This would need to be verified by an engineer or competent builder, and works carried out to have the minimum possible impact on original fabric.

Photograph 33 Cramped storage I display ill stable I coach house.


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Photograph 34

Stable / coach house - protection for displays / supporting posts.

10.4 Worker's House

The worker's house could also be presented as a house, or as a garage, being it's later use. The loss of the chimney to make way for the garage doors has significantly reduced the value for presentation as a house. An option exists to build a "ghost" chimney on the inside of the doors, and leave them closed. This would allow better interpretation of the building as a worker's house. There is the option of replacement of the doors and end wall with a reconstruction of the chimney, wall and fireplace, provided further archival or archaeological evidence could be found. This is not recommended as the cycle of change from the need to have a farm worker to the need for shelter ofthe car would not be as clearly explained by the place as it is now.

A further area for covered display could be provided by an appropriate reconstruction of the skillion roofed storage area off the end of the worker's dwelling, that can be seen in Photograph 12. TIlls could be carried out in terms of the definition of "reconstruction" in the Burra Charter, and the display items related to those in evidence in the photograph.

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Photograph 35 Worker's house converted to a garage.

10.5 Attic to stable / coach house

The attic in the stable / coach house building provides exploratory interest, and the stairs provide a vantage point to view the property. However, this also needs to be considered from the public safety viewpoint. Even though the steps have been coated with a cement based topping, the stairs are very steep and fall far short of the required riser and tread distances under the Building Code of Australia. The existing rail is attached to the soft sandstone with modern steel bolts, which have the potential to rust and expand, causing fractures in the stone. The replacement provision of a safe handrail would also be difficult, as attachment sufficient to cope with the stresses of persons leaning against the rail would be invasive of the original fabric of the structure. Effective access would be better available with a separate structure, that could be constructed adjacent to the historic structure without actual attachment. However, this would be expensive, particularly as the interpretive value of the internal attic space has been compromised by the new structure within. This timbering also serves as support for current display shelving. At this stage in particular, it is a more effective use of resources to use the attic for storage, which would free up the worker's house I garage for display purposes.



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10.6 Blacksmith's Courtyard

In conjunction with the house display, use could be made of this building for exhibition blacksmithing, if that use is confirmed as being carried out in the now called blacksmith's courtyard. The effect of the coke fire on the roof timbers and iron above would need to be considered, and the use of a portable forge may be more appropriate, moved into the open courtyard when required. Although this would restrict the operation of the forge to days of fair weather, it is likely that the attraction itself would be little visited under such conditions anyway .

• Most of the roofing on the site has be~n renewed. However, the roof of the blacksmith's courtyard is substantially original corrugated iron. It has developed a patina from age, including the effects of physical damage by the elements and the pattern of uneven corrosion of the zinc surface, leading to differential rusting, which has a desirable surface appearance and is a tangible link to the past, being original fabric.

The roofs of the original buildings do not appear to have been fitted with gutters, except at the rear of the house, where small a water tank collects from the central area. However, the efficient and effective removal of roofwater is vital to the maintenance of buildings, and just as the house and the rest of the stable complex have been guttered with standard quad gutter, it is reasonable to do likewise for the blacksmith's courtyard, to reduce the inflow of water so that ponding does not occur, particularly against walls. Sub surface drainage is another solution, but this may disturb archaeological deposits or undermine foundations. '

Photograph 36 Blacksmith's courtyard, showing displays and

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Photograph 37 Blacksmith's courtyard, showing wall alld gate details.

The only documented usage of this building has been for the keeping of poultry, shown on the 1920's plan in Figure 10. This usage is not conducive to the conservation of the building as mucking out would require washing with water, likely increasing the possibility of damp problems in the fabric of the building.

10.7 Existing garden house

This building is in good condition, with the roof, floor, portico and internal render being recent replacements. The small size of the building allows only limited use, with better interpretive value being available if further research unearths proof of early uses.

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Photograph 38

I Garden house, portico elevation.

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Photograph 39

I Garden house, details.

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Photograph 40 Garden house, internal detail.

10.8 First garden house

The first garden house site, although not-proposed to be developed at this stage, is well positioned to be a site for a kiosk / ticket office, should the scale of visitation increase to warrant such. In that case, it would be desirable to limit all pedestrian traffic to the path from the southern end of the carp ark, and close off the northern path with continuation of the mixed shrub screen. At this stage, little is known of the structure besides its general location, form and size. Consequently, if reconstruction was to be considered, further archival and possibly archaeological work would be necessary before design and construction.



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Photograph 41 First garden house, and gardener? Detailfrom 1875-8 photographs.

10.9 'Garden

The original garden layout was geometric in form and style, encircling the house with formal plantings, that, from photographs, appear to be mainly exotic in nature. The surrounds of the house were cleared, particularly toward the town and railway line. Large, mature eucalypts remaining from the original forest cover are visible near the house. This presents an Arcadian appearance to the lands surrounding the house, providing a visual tie to the treed ridges surrounding the valley floor.

Gardens are affected by fashion, both in overall design and plant types. Like most historic gardens, the plantings form part of the cultural significance of the property, just as the changes and adaptations to the buildings over time. It is important to retain the bulk of the plant species on the site, and prppagate from the more significant, as they provide a tangible link with the development and conservation of the property over time.

The existing garden layout does not reflect the original design ethos or striking layout. While the original garden was geometric in form, and provided the formal visitor and the occupants a structured view of the house, the current path layout meanders between the specimen trees. The "T" shaped pathway at the northern elevation and the

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path around the western side are vestiges of the original layout. Garden works should be structured to build on the existing plantings, reinforce the original layout, and open up views to and from the property. This can be achieved by retaining the existing mature trees but create openings by selective removal of trees and lifting of canopy to allow views. The significant areas are shown in Figure 13 detailing conservation opportunities for the grounds. This plan develops those themes into conservation development options for Eskbank House. Gardening rehabilitation strategies would include the pruning of hedging plants, (modern) weed removal, and the control and thinning out of self-layering/propagating plants.

Photograph 42 The /ront of Eskballk hOllse today. The encircling carriageway has been reduced to a lW1TOW gravel path The grevil/ea hedge planted at the verandah's edge dominates the front garden elevation and obscures the view of the elevation of the hOllse. Two roses at the front step are reputed to be propagated /rom those originally growing along the verandah. The brick edging of the small apron of grass approximates the outer edge of the garden bed shown in the photograph of Thomas Brown's time.


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Opportunities and constraints for the grounds of the property and

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10.10 Garden ornaments

There are a number of ornaments and display items presently exhibited in the garden. A welded steel garden archway is located in the garden, across the pathway to the garden house. A cradle of similar design and construction is stored on the verandah. A cast iron bird feeder is located outside the western side of the house. A modern sundial is mounted on a millstone, itself on a sandstone plinth, opposite the front door in the garden, where the paths intersect. While some items have an indication of provenance, others do not. It may be that these items are better exhibited elsewhere on the site, included in the detail design of garden works. As with the trees in the Bracey plantings, there may be particular social significance as well as historical. Further public input into the process could throw some light on these items, and assist in the detail design and layout of the garden.

Photograph 43 Garden archway.



Photograph 44 Cradle.

Photograph 45 Bird feeder.

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10.11 Static outdoor' machinery display

There are items of machinery and on display, south of the Pottery display room. While these items are, strictly speaking, part of the collection, they are situated in the grounds and impact upon the management of the grounds. The main item is the locomotive "Possum", a Manning Wardle saddle tank engine that originally carted hot metal to the Steelworks, scrap to the blast furnace and slag to the dumps. Also displayed are coal skips, small wheeled carts that were used in the mines to carry coal from the face to the pit head, a traction engine, ballast roller and other small items. Where the first item is of particular interest in this location, as it traversed the railway line just to the north of the house, the latter are of value only for their local usage.

Proposals have been made to cover the machinery to reduce corrosion and enhance the life of paint finishes. Covering the vehicles would introduce more non historical fabric into the garden, compete visually with the displays and increase capital costs. The structures themselves would also need maintenance. ,The viability of painting the displays in colours appropriate to their heritage value, with corrosion stabilising and deterioration preventative paints, possibly carried out by persons on community service orders or training projects, should be examined, and the costs and benefits compared.

These displays also offer de facto play equip,ment for children visiting the property. Many such items have been removed from Council reserves, ostensibly for safety reasons. However, these items are more monuments to the engineering achievements that took place in the Lithgow Valley, and should be considered as such. It may be that signage is required to advise that the displays are to be used for that purpose, and that adults visiting the property allow children play in the area at their own risk.

10.12 Fencing

As with the garden layout, the fencing needs to reflect the form and structure of the garden and its relationship to the rest of the grounds.

In conjunction with the recreating of the orchard area, a split rail fence to the pattern of the fencing seen in the 1882 photograph should be reinstated on that line, as seen in photographs 12 and 25. As visitation increases, to provide the caretaker with better privacy, a split paling fence could be constructed along the line shown, nailed to the common line with the orchard fence as was the original, but extended to better accommodate the caretaker's needs.

10.13 Site storage replacement

Given that the storage area behind the worker's house and the blacksmith's courtyard is not conducive to the conservation or presentation of that building group, the Society is considering the construction of a combined service / storage shed and caretakers garage. This is required for personal storage for the caretaker, and also of garden equipment, including a ride-on mower, coal and wood for the fireplaces. From the



64

archival evidence, there is no building that could be reconstructed for this purpose, and provide screening of these intrusive items from public view.

In conjunction with the present caretaker's flat at the rear of the house, screening is required for the usual items that accumulate at the back door of a house, including parking for the caretakers vehicles. It may be appropriate to provide a lightweight structure, approximating a single garage in size, and enclosure for a private yard space. Although this location is close to the rear of the house, it would be in conjunction with the access required for the flat, and provide screening for the usual clutter that accumulates around a bac}<: door. While this would undeniably reduce the heritage value of this point of the house, as the. fencing would not be constructed on its original alignment, and the structure did not· exist previously, from a functional viewpoint this would improve the operational arrangements and free up the space behind the worker's house. A lightweight structure and fencing could also be removed, if at some time in the distant future the need for an on site caretaker was not as great as the desirability of interpreting the internal spaces that presently comprise the flat, and the garden layout and detail of the rear of the house.

10.14 Parking and pedestrian access

The parking area is located off Bennett Street, outside the original garden area, in the area cleared for grazing. As it is functionally a cleared space, it is appropriate to be located in that area. The parking area is teardrop in shape, surfaced with a chip bitumen seal, in medium repair. Screwing vehicles have damaged the surface. It is approximately 25 metres across, without line marking. It appears to be based on the turning circle for a large vehicle, such as a tourist bus. However, the turning capability would be negated if cars were to park across the bitumen. Rarely is the parking area full of vehicles. Increased visitation and function use would notionally increase the need for parking to be provided on site. However, the property frontage on Bennett Street serves no other driveway, and is rarely used for parking. The use of the existing roadway would allow for the parallel parking of over 50 cars on the street, while maintaining adequate sight distance to driveways and corners. As bus parking takes up a large amount of space, due to the size of the vehicles and turning area, these vehicles should be parked outside the gates, parallel to the kerb on Bennett St.

At major repair or replacement stage, the area of the carp ark could be reduced by reshaping the current area to accommodate 90 degree angle parking. It is appropriate to retain the current vehicular entry point, but set the entry gates closer together and make entrance narrower to allow two-way car traffic only. For this purpose it is only necessary to provide a 6 metre wide hot mix bituminous seal to the driveway, and one row of carparking spaces only.

Pedestrian links around the site, particularly from the carpark to the house, should be designed to provide disabled access to the site. The existing alignment of the entry path to the house is eroding due to the steepness of the land at that point. While steps or hard paving could be provided, this would introduce additional new materials into the garden design. A new pathway from the end of the carp ark could link to the reinstated carriage drive, and the existing path included in the planting area. Also, a

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gravel pathway could be provided along the alignment of the previous driveway around north-eastern side of the site, giving access to the vista to the Blast Furnace.

Photograph 46 Easy grade of grassed area wOllld allow a gravel pathway to be linked with a reformed carriageway.

Photograph 47 Original carriageway passed next to verandah, and would link with new path at this point.



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11.0 MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

This plan should be seen as a guide to the conservation work required to protect the importance of the place. Priorities for works are recommended, although a detailed schedule of actual works to be done is not part of this plan. It is a handbook for use by the Council as the owners, the Society as the body concerned with everyday management of the property, a conservation architect commissioned to detail proposed works, a landscape I horticultural consultant planning and planting, a builder or trades person capable of implementing the conservation policy and everyday care and maintenance of the property, including the grounds. It also notes land use issues for adjacent properties and significant v~st'ils, both to and from the property.

The opportunities presented here for adaptive re-use of the property, including the buildings and the grounds, are by no means exclusive and should be considered as examples, showing how the cultural significance of the property can be maintained whilst gaining economic and cultural use opportunities for the property, leading to better exposure to the community of the heritage value of property in itself and as it relates to the City of Greater Lithgow. .. ~

11.1 CUlTent management

The current use of the property as a house museum is good, with the architecture of the buildings, the display of furniture, the display ofLithgow artefacts. Weddings at the property are becoming popular. The aspect of early life in Lithgow that is missing is the how the house operated, and links with the ordinary people of the town and the connection to industry. The challenge is to pick up the ball and run with it, to better present and utilise the property. This has the potential to provide heritage value to the community and generate ongoing funds to be used in conservation work on the property.

11.2 Management proposals

Additional space allowed by the removal ofLithgow Pottery from the main house to the new display room may allow the use of that part of the building as a cafe, which would also fill a desirable niche from the viewpoint of providing services to visitors. The garden area could also be used for that purpose. This has implications for the house itself, beyond the scope of this report, but would provide an additional attraction to the site.

Possible additional uses could capitalise on the large, open grassed areas on the site for functions under portable coverings, such as for parties, product display purposes, with the backdrop of the buildings, which could be used for functions. The use of the covered courtyard area would be highly appropriate for the purpose, being the location of a number of functions held at the house in its history.

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There is considerable scope to tie in with other heritage attractions in the Lithgow area. It may be possible that the well presented open grassland can be used for progressive functions with the State Mine or Union Theatre.

Photographs 48 and 49 Grassed areas south of the buildings are generous ill scale alld pleaSing ill seltillg for outdoor uses.



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11.3 Land use management of nearby land

A clear view of the Blast Furnace site is available from the front garden, particularly due to the existing railway easement that links the Blast Furnace to the line to the milk depot, the extension of which took hot metal to the Steelworks and slag to the dumps. The maintenance of the easement as a legal and physical entity will help to retain this link

A further link is held to the tree covered ridges around the valley, particularly from .the front of the House. The peight and proximity of the ridges, the ample garden area generally surrounding the house and t.he generally Iow scale of adjacent development allows for this from many vantage points in the garden. The truncation of the garden at the northern elevation would in theory allow for industrial scale buildings to be built on that boundary. The present use for bus parking is acceptable as a cfear view is available over the vehicles. Screen planting of the buses would be possible, generally along the lines of the original garden layout which had planting in that area. The vista to the valley walls from the northern elevation should be maintained in any development of the bus depot, which should only effect a 20 metre strip directly in front of the house, with the height of possible buildings increasing as the distance from the house increases.

These issues should be required in consideration of any development proposals for the adjoining land, as required by Local Environmental Plan 1994, the zoning plan for the area.

11.4 Interpretation

The main house, companion buildings, grounds and collection at Eskbank House have high levels of cultural significance, at local, state and countrywide levels. However, the interpretation of all these aspects is poor. This may be particularly responsible for the low visitation of the property, as it is difficult to understand its significance at present. All aspects of the property and its value could benefit from better display and interpretation. The Society is on course towards this goal in the fitting out of the Lithgow Pottery display room, but more needs to be done in the balance of the site. The research and documentation in this plan can also be used as a base for new interpretive brochures, to explain the significance of the site. The possibility of interactive display could also increase the interpretation of the site, and also provide a portable and saleable interpretive device.

Interpretation can also serve to link Eskbank House in the broader picture of the heritage ofLithgow, which will also provide linkage into the developing heritage tourism business in the area.

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11.5 lVIaintenance

Property maintenance is vital to the continued conservation of the buildings and grounds. It affects the physical state of the buildings and grounds, but also the appearance and presentation of the property. The required uses of the property and the proposed uses listed by this plan need a high standard of presentation. However, the temptation is to replace plant and building material~ that have acquired the patina of age with new materials. The maintenance procedures should respect the conservation guidelines for the buildings and grounds, or the property will lose a significant part of its valu~.

Qualified and experienced designers and tradespeople should supervise and carry out works required on the buildings. The current mowing of the grassed areas provides the pastoral surrounds for the garden, and the use of chip mulch on the garden areas reduces the need for costly and tedious weeding. Care needs to be taken, particularly with the older significant planting, that maintenance gardening practices do not damage plants. Qualified horticultural advice should be sought when any disturbance to the root zone of plants is considered.

Planting details should reduce maintenance wherever possible. Where species are identified that would require high levels of maintenance, consideration should be g~ven to using plants that would provide a similar effect without the need for costly maintenance and watering.'

Maintenance of the building is required, especially where overhanging vegetation is an issue. For example, roof gutters require clearing. If they fail to drain roofwater away, water will flow over the gutter, onto and possibly into the building. The leaf litter' gradually composting in the gutter is likely to create its own concoction of acids dependent upon the vegetation type, and will keep the metal wet for longer pefiods than if the gutter was clear, accelerating corrosion which could cause the gutter to fail and direct water onto or into the building.

11.(i Review .of this plan

A Conservation Management Plan should not be regarded as a permanently binding document. This plan should be reviewed as required, with the review frequency being related to the development work on the property and the changes that occur to the developing surrounds. This includes heritage tourism projects and the continuing urban development of the City of Greater Lithgow. In any case, a review should take place before the year 2001, five years from now. It should include further secondary research to glean further details on both building and landscape issues.

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12.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Apperly, R. Irving, R. & Reynolds, P. 1989 Identifying Australian Architecture Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

Britten, M. & McKenzie, E. n.d. but circa 1984. Memoirs and recollections of Mavis Britten and Betty Valerie McKenzie transcription of an oral history tape, held at Eskbank House. Unpub.

Brown, J. W. 1989 Bent Backs - an illustrated social and technological histOlY of the Western Coal Field Industrial Printing, Lithgow.

Cargill, A 1977 Railway Stations and Industrial Sidings in the Lithgow Valley Lithgow District Historical Society Occasional Paper No. 25. Lithgow.

DAS Corporate 1995, State Miize Railway Heritage Park Proposal Unpub.

f

Department of Lands 1971 City of Lithgow and Adjacent Lands New South Wales Government, Department of Lands map, Sydney. 2nd ed.

Horiatopolous, J. anors. 1973 A measured study - Eskbank HOllse, Lithgow. Third year architecture study, University of New South Wales. Unpub.

Hoskins, D. G. 1995 The Iron711aster - The Life of Charles Hoskins University of Wollongong Press, North Wollongong. • ,

Hoskins, Sir committee. 1969 The Hoskins Saga Halstead Press, Sydney.

Hughes, H. 1964 The Australian Iron and Steel IndustTy Melbourne University Press, Parkville, Vic.

Jeans, D. and Spearitt, P. 1980 The Open Air Museum George AlIen & Unwin, Sydney.

Lyne, committee. 1882 The Industries of New South Wales Thomas Richards, Government Printer. Sydney.

Madden, J. 1969 Letter to J. E. Bracey. Lithgow Council Property File for Eskbank House. Unpub.

McKenzie, E. 1985. Letter to Lithgow District Historical Society dated 24 June, 1985. Unpub.

McKenzie, E. J. 1969 Thomas Brown - Founder of Lithgow and his home Esk Bank Joseph Bennett and Son Pty. Ltd. Katoomba.

McKenzie, E. J. n.d. Historical Sketches of Eskbank House. Collection of annotated ink drawings. Lithgow Library Local Studies Collection.


1 1 1 1 I· I I 1 1 1 I I I 1 I I I I.

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Marquis-Kyle, P. & Walker, :M. 1992 The Illustrated Burra Charter Australia ICOMOS, Sydney.

Martindale, Mrs B. A Trip to the Blue J.\1011ntains A2498, Mitchell Library.

Nott, M. J. & Hawkins, committee. A. 1983 Agricultural Land Bulletin 1 - A study of the suitability of agricultural lands in The City of Greater Lithgow Department of Agriculture New South Wales. Sydney.

-Quinn, P. 1996 Owner - ~2 Inch Street, adjacent to Eskbank House. pers. comm. 12 April.

Ryan, D. G., Ryan, J. R. & Starr, B. J. n.d. but circa 1994 The Australian Landscape -Observations of Explorers and Early Settlers Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Committee, Wagga Wagga.

Sandford, R. 1944 Australian Pig Iron Premier Printers, North Sydney.

SomerviIle, J. 1995 Heritage Adviser -Lithgow, pers. comm. 15 July.

Tanner, H. 1988 "Lost Landscapes" in Broadbent, J. And Hughes, J. FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD - Crimes, Follies and A1isfortunes - Demolished Houses of New South Wales Historic Houses Trust, in conjunction with an exhibition of Demolished Houses at Elizabeth Bay House, August - November 1988.

Tanner, H. and Cox, P. 1975 Restoring Old Australian HOllses and Bllildiligs: all architectural guide Macmillan, South Melbourne.

Walker, M. 1988 "On Public View" in Broadbent, J. And Hughes, J. FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD - Crimes, Follies and l'v1isfortunes - Demolished HOllses of New South Wales Historic Houses Trust, in conjunction with an exhibition of Demolished Houses at Elizabeth Bay House, August - November 1988.

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I APPENDIX 1:

CONSULTANT'S BRIEF I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


Read Me First.

While there is, most likely, a standard layout for a Conservation Management Plan, is it possible to have 2 main sections?

The Grounds.

The Buildings. (house, Hex. building, coach house/stables and pottery building.

Each section to then have its own sub sections of:

History/description

Conservation Management requirements Capital works

Routine works

I would like the Contents, (exhibits)of all buildings

and the Static Display of steam engines,to have their own

Conservation Management Plan drawn up by a,.specist in e~ch field.

As far as possible each Conservation project that can be

identified should stand alone so that we can seek funding for the projects for different sources.

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Lithgow District Historical Society I "KNOWLEDGE THROUGH RESEARCH"

MUSEUM AND PERIOD HOME: "ESKBANK", INCH & BENNETT STREETS, LlTHGOW. 2790

IanRufus, Environmental Planner, Greater Lithgow City Council, Administration Centre, Mort St., Lithgow, NSW 2990 Dear Ian,

MudgeeRd., Lidsdale,

NSW 2790

Phone 063551185 8/6/1996

At the June meeting of the Society the matter of the :future direction ofEskbank. House, in the context of the Conservation Management plan was discussed.

Firstly I wish to pass on to you the thanks of the Society for your attendance and presentation to the May meeting. .

To aid you in the preparation of the Conservation Management plan I attach a summruy of the views of the meeting and results of conversations I have had with various Society members.

yours sincerely

.L-J4.~f IanHolt

Vice President (Research & Development)



Some points for consideration when compiling the Conservation Management Plan of Eskbank House.

The house.

The house should not be subject to any structural change that will detract from its 1920's (closed in court yard) layout.

The Caretaker position must remain as a "live in" position, for security reasons. There may have to be some internal upgrading, to modem living standards, to the rooms used by the Caretaker. There will be no expansion of these rooms. All painting of the house (internal and external) must reflect the correct period. Routine maintenance must be carried out as required, but must reflect the correct period. Note that the City Council will supply, this year, $500 to get an expert report of the condition of the interior of the house. .

Garden Shed (Stone Hex. Building) As per the house.

Coach House/Stables/Blacks~ith's Area

Note that this year pointing of stone and repair to roof over Blacksmith's area is scheduled. No structural change to building, other than stairs to loft, if re~earch shows that these are lIot original.

Internal changes if required to allow better display of exhibits. Close the loft to be public (Safety factor)

Discuss with Council etc the moving of the service yard and metal service shed to a more suitable location.

Discuss with Council etc building of a new combined service/storage shed and Caretaker's garage so releasing the old coach house for use as a display area.

Pottery Shed. Nil changes planned. Fit out for pottery display.

Exhibits in House.

Format to remain unchanged. (4 rooms furnished display, covered COUlt yard and breakfast room for exhibits.)

Discuss with Council if filing cabinets etc can be transferred "off site" to a Council supplied office. (Release more space for exhibits)

Upgrade display cabinets and layout (note grants have been applied for), follow advice of Museums Australia Inc. Seek conservation advice.

Exhibits in Garden Shed/Coach House/Stable/Blacksmith Area Seek conservation advice for exhibits in area. Improve display presentation (Note building approvements listed above)

Pottery Shed Install pottery display as per present plan. (This will release display space in other areas)

External Exhibits (Steam Engines) Obtain costings for conservation of these engines. (restore to static display level, paint and cover from weather). Obtain value/costings if Society wishes to remove these engines. Using the above information Society to formulate a plan for the future use or disposal of these engines.

I I I I

The Grounds I Get expert advice to that the grounds can be landscaped so that all future plantings conform with the correct period. I Get expert advice to recommend improvements to the boundary fence, entrance and turning

circle/parking area that are compatible with the correct period.

Standards Request Council/Council's insurance brokers to suggest standards for all maintenance (building, ground and exhibits) that will minimise any insurance claim for any personal injury.

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APPENDIX 2:

MEASURED DRAWINGS OF THE EARLY BUILDINGS BY TALLEEN TASHJIAN, JEANETTE HENSEN AND FRANCES NG, THIRD YEAR ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY.

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I I APPENDIX 3:

I PLANS OF POST 1960 BUILDINGS


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-

I APPENDIX 4: I TI-IE BURRA CHARTER I


I I I I I

APPENDIX C

THE AUSTRALIA ICOMOS CHARTER FOR THE CONSERV ATION OF PLACES

OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (The Burra Charter)

Preamble Having regard to the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites

Explanatory Notes These notes do not form part of the Charter and may be added to by Australia ICOMOS.

I (Venice 1966), and the Resolutions of 5th General Assembly of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) (Moscow 1978), the following

I Charter was adopted by Australia ICOMOS on 19th August 1979 at Burra Burra. Revisions were adopted on 23rd February 1981 and on 23 April 1988.

I Definitions Article 1. For the purpose of this Charter:

I I I I I I

I I I I

1.1 Place means site, area, building or other work. group of buildings or other works together with associated contents and surroundings.

1.2 Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific or social value for past, present or future generations.

1.3 Fabric means all the physical material of the place. 1.4 Conservation means all the processes of looking

after a place so as to retain its cultural significance. It includes maintenance and may according to circumstance include preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adaptation and will be commonly a combination of more than one of these.

1.S Maintenance means the continuous protective care of the fabric, contents and setting of a place, and is to be distinguished from repair. Repair involves restoration or reconstruction and it should be treated accordingly.

1.6 Preservation means maintaining the fabric of a place in its existing state and retarding deterioration.

1.7 Restoration means returning the EXISTINGjabric of a place to a known earlier state by removing accretions or by reassembling existing components without the introduction of new material.

1.8 Reconstruction means returning a place as nearly as possible to a known earlier state and is distinguished by the introduction of materials (new or old) into the fabric. This is not to be confused with either re-creation or conjectural reconstruction which are outside the scope of this Charter.

1.9 Adaptation means modifying a place to suit proposed compatible uses.

1.10 Compatible use means a use which involves no change to the culturally significant fabric, changes which are substantially reversible, or changes which require a minimal impact.

Article 1.1 Place ~ncIudes structures, ruins, archaeological sites and landscapes modified by human activity.

Article 1.5 The distinctions referred to in Article 1.5, for example in relation to roof gutters, are: '-',

maintenance - regular inspection and cleaning of gutters

repair involving restoration - returning of dislodged gutters to their place

repair involving reconstruction - replacing decayed gutters.

Conservation Principles Article 2. The aim of conservation is to retain the cultural signz(icance of a place and must include provision for its security, its maintenance and its future.

Article 3. Conservation is based on a respect for the existing fabric and should involve the least possible physical intervention. It should not distort the evidence provided by the fabric.

Article 4. Conservation should make use of all the disciplines which can contribute to the study and safeguarding of a place. Techniques employed should be traditional but in some circumstances they may be modern ones for which a firm scientific basis exists and which have been supported by a body of experience.

it Article 5. Conservation of a place should take into consideration all aspects of its cultural significance without unwarranted emphasis on anyone aspect at the expense of others.

Article 6. The conservation policy apprcpriate to a place must first be determined by an understanding of its cultural significance.

Article 7. The conservation policy will determine which uses are compatible.

Article 8. Conservation requires the maintenance of an appropriate visual setting: e.g., form, scale, colour, texture and materials. No new construction, demolition or modification which would adversely affect the setting should be allowed. Environmental instrusions which adversely affect appreciation or enjoyment of the place should be excluded.

Article 9. A building or work should remain in its historical location. The moving of all or part of a building or work is unacceptable unless this is the sole means of eI)suring its survival.

Article 2 Conservation should not be undertaken unless adequate resources are available to ensure that the fabric is not left in a vulnerable state and that the cultural significance of the place is not impaired. However. it must be emphasised that the best con~ervation often involves the least work and can be inexpensive.

Article 3 The traces of additions. alterations and earlier treatments on the fabric of a place are evidence of its history and uses.

Conservation action should tend to assist rather than to impede their interpretation.

Article 6 An understanding of the cultural significance of a place is essential to its proper conservation. This should be achieved by means ef a thorough investigation resulting in a report embodying a statement of cultural significance. The formal adoption of a statement of cultural significance is an essential prerequisite to the preparation of a conservation policy.

Article 7 Continuity of the use of a place in a particular way may be significant and therefore desirable.

Article 8 New construction work. including infill and additions, may be acceptable, provided:

it does not reduce or obscure the cultural significance of the place

it is in keeping with Article 8.

Article 9 Some structures were designed to be readily removable or already have a history of-previous moves, e.g. prefabricated dwellings and poppetheads. Provided such a structure does not have a strong association with its present site, its removal may be considered.

rfany structure is moved, it should be moved to an appropriate setting and given an appropriate use. Such action should not be to the detriment of any place of cultural significance.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Article 10. The removal of contents which form part of I the cultural significance of the place is unacceptable unless it is the sole means of ensuring their security and preservation. Such contents must be returned should changed circumstances make this practicable. I

13 I

I Conservation Processes I Preservation Article 11. Preservation is appropriate where the existing slate of the fabric itself constitl)tes evidence of specific

I cullural significance, or where insufficient evidence is available to allow other conservation processes to be carried out.

I I I Article 12. Preservation is limited to the protection,

maintenance and, where necessary, the stabiIization of the existing fabric but without the distortion of its cultural significance.

I Restoration

I Article 13. Restoration is appropriate only if there is sufficient evidence of an earlier state of the fabric and only if (etllIning the fabric to that state reveals the

I-cultural significance of the place.

Article Iq. Restoration shoula reveal anew culturally significant aspects of the place. It is based on respect for

I all the physical, documentary and other evidence and stops at the point where 'conjecture begins.

Article 15. Restoration is limited to the reassembling of displaced components or removal of accretions in

I accordance with Article 16.

Article 16. The contributions of all periods to the place must be respected. If a place includes the fabric of

I different periods, revealing .the fabric of one period at the expense of another can only be justified when what is removed is of slight cultural significance and the fabric which is to be revealed is of much greater cultural

I significance.

Reconstruction I Article 17. Reconstruction is appropriate only where a place is -incomplete through damage or alteration and where it is necessary for its survival, or where it reveals

I the cultural significance of the place as a whole.

Article 18. Reconstruction is limited to the completion of a depleted entity and should not constitute the majority

I of the fabric of a place.

Article 19. Reconstruction is limited to the reproduction of fabric, the form of which is known from physical

I and/or documentary evidence. It should be identifiable on close inspection as being new work.

I Adaptation

Article 20. Adaptation is acceptable where the conservation of the place cannot otherwise be achieved, and where the adaptation does not substantially detract from its I cultural significance.

Article \\ Preservation protects fabric without obscuring the evidence of its construction and use.

The process should always be applied:

where the evidence of the fabric is of such significance that it must not be altered. This is an unusual case and likely to be appropriate for archaeological remains of national importance;

where insufficient investigation has been carried out 10 permit conservation policy decisions to be taken in- accord with Articles 23 to 25.

New construction may be carried out in association with preservation when its purpose is the physical protection of the fabric and when it is consistent with Article 8.

Article 12 Stabilization is a process which helps keep fabric intact and in a fixed position. When carried out as a part of preservation work it does not introduce new materials into the fabric. However, when necessary for the survival of the fabric, stabilization may be effected as part of a reconstruction process and new materials introduced. For example, grouting or the insertion of a reinforcing rod in a masonry wall .

Article 13 See explanatory note for Article 2.

•

~ .... - ..... -.--.... - ..... --........ -.-----...... --------------___________________ rC'_

Article 21. Adaptation must be limited to that which is essential to a use for the place determined in accordance with Articles 6 and 7.

Article 22. Fabric of cultural significance unavoidably removed in the process of adaptation must be kept safely to enable its future reinstatement.

Conservation Practice

Article 23. Work on a place must be preceded by professionally prepared studies of the physical, documentary and other evidence, and the existing fabric recorded before any intervention in the place.

Article 24. Study of a place by any intervention in the fabric or by archaeological excavation should be undertaken where necessary to provide data essential for decisions on the conservation of the place and/or to secure evidence about to be lost or made inaccessible through necessary conservation or other unavoidable action. Investigation of a place for any other reason which

. requires physical disturbance and w.hich adds (0 substantially to a scientific body of knowledge may be

permitted, provided that it is consistent with the conservation policy for the place.

Article 25. A written statement of conservation policy must be professionally prepared setting out the cultural significance and proposed conservation procedure together with justification and supporting evidence, including photographs, drawings and all appropriate samples.

Article 26. The organisation and individuals responsible for policy decisions must be named and specific responsibility taken for each such decision.

Article 27. Appropriate professional direction and supervision must be maintained at all stages of the work and a log kept of new evidence and additional decisions recorded as in Article 25 above.

A-rticle 28. The records required by Articles 23, 25, 26 and 27 ·should be placed in a permanent archive and made 1:1 publicly available.

Article 29. The items referred to in Articles 10 and 22 should be professionally catalogued and protected.

Words in italics are defined in Article 1.

Article 25 The procedure will include the conservation processes referred to In

Article 1.4 and other matters described in Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Conservation Policy.

15


I I APPENDIX 5:

I HERITAGE LISTINGS AND LAND USE ZONINGS


:3/.0:;::19:::: (.~l)!:nf\(~LI(~N HEHIT/.)GE: Cot'!I'1I.!3SION PAGE:' '. 57;,. LISTING FOF{ GHF.:f.HEr~ LITH(.:iO\i1 (CUHHEI\IT I....Ei{~) ' ......... ~:-' .

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l\h~~I"'iE OF PL.{'\CE E::'-;KE:(:{NK HOUBE... OUTBUIUnNG::3 ... (:iI-mUNn:~; &. COLLECTION .

OOO}3C, ~:~ 1"" (i-l) :;~:~L<!~ / O(:ii":C/tYI. r~ECi I !::;TEHED

·_···_···1 LDC:{~ T I ON! BOUNDAH I ES:

Bennet.t .. Donald and Inch Streets. Lithgow.

i).:::!. t. :i. rl~f t }"'()tYi J.:::-~.4:/., [~!3;!::tl.::li"'\k i '::~ I-lj :.:.;t.CIY':i. c';;tl1 V' ~::;:i i;'J'ni'f' j. C E.:;,r\t.. f(tl"' i t.s c 1 ();;':.!,:,I ,:::i.·:~i":;r:) ( i .~:t 1.:. .i. ()ri \'.,1 it.! "f E\~~t"(\ 1. \:/ '5t:::'1 t. t.lt~:·ffler't t. i'n t..i-Jt~ t .. i t"~-:';'lC!!~IJ .:;~ r' e<::~ i':i 1-' i Cl"(' "t..i.:) t.i-le (!:1. -::} t.. r- :i. r t .. ' :~;. j rH:h)':s -t. r\ :i. ':::1.1 ch=?'·,/t::]. ()F){"(g,-.:!r-t t. 1 <::t -J:.e:c- j. \'"1 t.i·'r2 r-~ i )-It:~ ·t.I~i=-~l-I-(.!"1 C t~l"1-t.I.J '(' \/ .

I':·l,,~r\tl·"lt-:"P 1 t.1"11;':-:, ("\()I.A'::;t::! :i,':~; ·~I.-';:;"::;()C i.:.~.:tt~.~l(! I}}it.i-l "f}"i()lYl~::t·~:::. !:::r·r;)lyIJrl i:~}I'-l')} .-;:~':::;, !,~'el1 .~~~';:::

!.)t'-2irlg ;:tl'1 ec...p}"l' ~~!.:::".-t.-t.lt~.;p ,t· l.2:t.t.t=:~r' ~~)l'::!.'ieci .::a.r~ iIYlj:U:,ii"t.C:t't-tt. r'():tf:! iT1 tt-le t='::.':st.~~\i:).li·51"irnerlt. ,Cif t_it.i"I!J()\.'t'···::;' l:();:r.l iric!LIs,t,.1"'/. :(C:j',;iter':LClrl f:-i. -<.1.) E.=~ki:.t2:..11k ''''';:I:}r·e.sel-I"t.::~ CA i-irt';~ \}i~t.Ct~~i'::!.\-l (:iE'C\J~gic.t1-t ch~sifir-l. (C;pi-t.t~r:·il::sri F- 1'i

0 ... o·

The place is important .as a g~Dup whicl1 includes residence, stablec ()i::,~: I-·(i·lcJ!.As~E~~'· l:llA:i. J. c~ 1. 1"1i.0 ~:t \,Ct .::). J~)':::t r' t.:i c ct! :t et r~ 1 'y' ci:i s t .. i r1:t: t. :i '-.lE: 1.J21.1" cl':E!rt 1·11:·llJ'E~'F.J. ( C: 1" .i. ;(.~?1~ -i ()i''I (.~,:3)

SIGNIFICANT ASSOCIATIDNS:

THCWif-:IS BHm .. I!',1 ClF\ I G I Nt-\L m .. ,INEF(

Eskbank was the h,:"rne. of Thomas BI~own, .:n'1e of the Lit.r·lgc,w aJ~eCl"s .ea1".l iest.. ·set.tler's. 81"0·",1"0, f l~'or(1 Dunyf p :Les~::;.hi.p.e I ·~et..t.led 1:II?T~e in 1.:::::;::.5

.·1 I I 1 I I I I I

and t.~18 ppesent. house WetS bui 1 t. in 1:342' (8l~own was ncd; pelat.ed t.o: l~rndl"€:".1) B)~own., ·, .... ho W.~l-S anothel~ significant. .e'::Ii'ly ·:3cot.tish ·sett.ler~ i.n I t.1""n'2. ai'ea) . 8r'O\"'H1, 1 ike Cl nurflbel~ 01' locals, I.Ased. the neapby ec!at Seal'fIS. fop domestic Ilurpose-s and he went. 'on to establish the cDal industry at Lithgow. The Eskbank estate was· subdivided. in 1911. Some time prior I t.o ti':'ll'2 filid 1970~.; ·EskbiB.nk, hOLlse ~'.'as l~eliQv.::tt.ed a'nd t.h2'iI clona.ted to~' Lit.h~l';)\!} Cit.y Cot:~nt.i:l., wh€n";?t..lpm-j t.he. L..:i.·t;hgol.',. Dist.rict t':i5tol~icCil Society mounted .B museum display in the building_ ... E-;::JJ.::ba.nk is a Vici:.Oi~ian Bl'i'=Ol'gia.n. !:i'tyle. 1~8s:i.cj,=-·nce·. Bt.Ji U·.ot· <=lshl~lP .1 sandstclnl::J :ql..Jar·c.i.ed neal'by, the building .is .syrflff:A.t.l'·ic<;).l in p1an_ The l'()ot i.5 !-tippeel <:lnd it. cont.intJes: in. a slif)ht.Ly bellc.:ast .. manne.r. 'oyer' the vF.<\'al:\c!ah whi(:h r~uns ~lPc)und .thl'8t"? .sides of t.he hOt.lSl~. Tw() .hip~1"'.oclfed I wings.I,?>d·.''2nd ·-t.o. t.he l~·e~lr·~··al~ld·=-:d'-:d·f!~j;,ng, .U~e··~ 91~(}s. 1:.he . CCS~~\ .. -t;ya'~~~~~ff.)~h,:'e~n·"'~·~~:,< th~:;. lJ.Il:ngs was cov~red and 'a , .. stone ~:::-~tens.Lon was added: tCI.,one -01';. :t.!"'ie ... :, ;.~.

Wings. T\I/C/. bay windCt\~s':.t:o. t.h~·:·fr~:ant· e·lev<::d.ion al'e pr6ti~l~~A'('f.:*~t~~l'" . :;'-::':":":1 addi t.lonstl sOlue ·of .the ··\ql".igi):t¥Al~ ;$ash~s rF.'mal·n. A f·<:\1i~-fgh,t;.>t;~p'g( ... the.· ."'~~.;)~: t\"·ont. dOCH'" The hOl.lse,· .. has tow\ li"tain \"cu:,ms and i:, h~dl$ ·and ... t~I;i\\~l~.;'·l~·Oc.m~':<.:}: :bo each o"f .the ·l"'·eal" 'IJ.i.,:,gs. ':rh~ ·Hist.Ol" i ca 1 ·Sc~c ie.ty·· s co 11ec:-t-ijpn:~,o\:\ , .. -::,.' ;:~I;f{ di sp.lay i nc·ll.ldes. f(d rri ng.:a:r'tif:ac.'ts I,' pot.1:.er'Y I t'l.I1"ni tw"e: and'::9~tt!~1:}:i:~'H~~ww;~~; ,

------- .... __ .- _. . .. --.-~.--.. -----'-~--::->,-':.:,:,::.. ._-_.- -.' ... _ .. _ .. _-_._._--- , . . :'j~~(:y~:;:~~~:,: " ... '. . ~

I 03/93 AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE COMMISSION PAGE:

I L E;l ING F'()R GHEATER L I TI-·IGOW <: CUHHENl L <'=iA) "< ~ "'-:1:.' ••• ;i .. 0I . ., .•. " ....•• , .I,.~. *....... ..... . ...... "... . ............................. .( .. ~ ..... ~ .... a •• ""1:""+" "i" -: .. " ..... *.:J' •••••••••• J,. ••• 'of-. .. .* .. ,' .. f. .. ,'. ·f· .:f •. f. A· .. t:.t..:f. .'1'. J .. t. .f. .. 4:: .4: .. f..=*. J .. f:;*.~:..U,.f:;~.**.f:; .f:. =* .. t.A: . .t .. :j:. k A:.=*. =* .. H .. 1-•. ~ •. ~: •• ,: .. * .. f .. f.. A: .. :f..t .. f. .. f. .. ,' .. " .. , .. :t .. , .. H. ;i .. .t.J .. f: .f.:t .. *-.t. J t .f· •. :I:: A=. .•.

I I

(..) ~;t.<,~hlt~, coachh.:::.u~;e. and blacksmi th "s bui l.cli ng st.eU'ld'S; c\ srll:q··t di st.ance fi'Ofl'l U"lt~ hQt.l~:;t~ and it .includes a cO!..Irty~::.pd. This stl'uctul'e is -:::itone an.:::] gr.-Itd\? pCJQted and 1 ike t.he howst=~ d<= . .tt.f:S t rc.m :1.842. Betwei::n U:-lis building .anclthe house is a distinctive stcH1Po gal'den hOW:,f:: (possibJy bl..lilt. around 1:370) whi.ch is he:;.~agc.nal in shape. It. has quoin':';, pinnacles .~t. the corn~l'S CArtel El 'finial. 1:::,,:;1:: b~:\nk sits in one hee t.n \'€! of I andsc apecf grounds.

r!~~) !- ~(~ ~l~: . Ai:. the ti.ff!!.':>. ot nC)IYt:inati()\"! in 197(; E,::;k!:'Clnk \I,'a-::; in 'JO()(! cC)),1dition .. h~"\v:!.n'J bt,~f'n rf'>r\IY'Ii',d:.l"'c! prio'l~ to :i.t..<.> LI".IE! :,\'5 a hi::;;t.Ol'·ic"d rnl.y~.;!::-~um. In 1'::1/7 it. 'J"':::,::'> l~eix'r·t.ecl that. the c!utJ.)uj lclin~)s '.l}f~l'E' in ~\ clE'~ter·jc))"2:d.(:"d S1>:,1:.2. fncil..!stpii::ll !::.uiJ.din';'l -::Ict.ivity hi'~"~, e:'<pancleci '.)Ve1' t.he ye;:;rs in I t.i ,e 2.'1 l','!cl ::~!AP r'()!.H·p:) i n!;l Es,k bank. [-::;,,1:: bi:I.nk (' (Int. i nl.les tell:;,,)/ C(<:.~ a house r(i!)·:_;~"·t~r(1 . ( ]"'1.;;). \l 1. ::::}~":.r::;~) I

1·--~;l~:~rl~~l~'.:--'~"-~deen (t:~d)} 1J~;l...n~vey cd H:i<::=.t.orictd :::.;it.\:=~.: L it-h,;!,:)I.'.' Al'e;::'," .. Sydney 1 '':1:-3 7. 1 n-l ()1'm2\ t i eli. l' pom t.he Na t:i C'llcil Tr l.AS t ot AlAS t l' cili a (1\l1~\!J ::;C'LJt.h t·hd 12£';) .

I I~::. J'. f'!cl<e.'n:::ie, "lhom;::ls Bro· .... n, foundf'.'·,' ()f l..ith';)Q\lJ c;tncJ his home E~skbankl!, L:i t.h'Jo\l} Di St.l':i et Hi s t.Ol' i cell ::;('1(: iet.'l J 19£:.9. H01'i,;:;topoulos, J'. Pot. aI, "A measl..I'l't?d sb..ldy: Eskbank Hou~o;eJ.', Univer'5i t'l

---, -- - -'-'-'- _. __ . __ ._---_._ .. _. -_. _ .. _ .. _ .. __ ._-_. -.. - -_ .. -- -'. - -_._ .. _--_. __ . _ .. __ . __ .- -_ .. - - ------ -"-'-'- -'---'---'-'--'.

I

I I I

LITHGOW

!Town 0<" District). ___ ~ __

Post Code 2790 ovt Aree. •

W l.t~ Coun

Date of Proposal 4/8/7

ESKBANK,HOUSE and UUfBUILDINGS includi~g grounds, trees and Historical Society Collection.

or Identification of

Suggested Listing Category

---"--~------~-~---------

Committee (Trust Use)

CLASSIFIED

I HBC SEE OVER

" r I Bennett Street, cnr Inch St

I I

City Council I Council PPROVED CL I (Trust Use) ~"/ 1/ ~ ______ ~~~~~~/LL~~ ______ -L __________________________________ ~L-__________________________ ~

Description Briefly cover the points on the following check list where they are relevant and within your knowledge,

Style THE HOUSE: A single storey dressed sandstone cottage of Georgian design Construction built 1842 for Thomas Brown, the founder of the coal industry in Lithgow. Use Architect/s Symmetrical in layout with 4 main rooms and hall surrounded by a verandah Builderls on 3 sides and two narrow wings of 3 rooms each enclosing a covered Date of courtyard. The hipped corrugated iron roof to the main section has a slight

I r~.,struction 1 h h h h ent be lcas t. Some original and pine sas es remain al t oug t e 2 bay windows

Cundition appear late Victorian al terations. The 'entrance door is surmounted by a History typical Georgian segmental fanlight whilst 6 original fireplace surrounds Owners of rectangular style remain. The building was renovated and given to the Boundaries

of proposed city of Lithgmv by the late Hr. Eric Stacey, and is administered by the listing Lithgow district Historical Society. Host rooms house a unique collection of either Lithgow pottery, miner's clothing and utenSils, relics of early Lithgow and period furniture. ' THE STABLES & BLACKSHITH'S SHOP: Erected in 1842, consisting of rectangular dressed stone stables and coach house with Blacksmith's Shop, courtyard and steps to one side built of rock-faced stone, the whole complex roofed ~ith corrugated iron. THE GARDEN HOUSE: This is a hexagonal outbUilding of rock faced stone with articulated quoins and pinnacles and pitched corrugated iron roof, built in the English tradition of garden 'follies'. THE GROUNDS: 2~ acres of pleasant gardens and trees containing some large relics of early Lithgow.

Reasons for listing

I I I I I I I

1. One of the earliest houses in Lithgow, built by an histotically important figure in I the development of Li thgmv.

L. An interesting group of early local vernacular style buildings remaining in excellent condition and set in attractive landscaped grounds.

3. A usefully instructive collection of early Lithgow Industrial Technology, arts and I crafts a riatel display~~ " ~

Sketch plan and photos Attach additional photos

. if any.

~ ~

'. - ._" ~~~

I I I I I I

I·

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I I 1 1 l-IeK~CA:WRI- ourSUtl...blNG

COMMITTEE REFERENCES: Executive: 4/ 2/65: referred to

1 HBC: 11 ~~ Mg~; :: :: Executive: 7/12/66: 11 If

flBC:!I HflUM! reco~ended I B I category (including outhuildings

1 ~u~~)~~o: 2~11; !~b: E~/Y~; A-D~b:>al ;C\frtWf2 ; If

C(JlAl1~/ I: #&//176: tyJprOI/Q..oI ClASS/Pi

1 I 1 I 1

J

and collection fJ ff

(b) the Council is satisfied that domestic waste water can be disposed of within the boundaries of each allotment; (c) satisfactory access to public roads is provided, minimising access to main roads; and (d) likely future development is not prejudiced by the subdivision.

Bed and breakfast establishments 35. Development for the purpose of bed and breakfast is prohibited unless the dwelling-house in which it is carried out: (a) is connected to a reticulated sewerage system; or (b) is located on an allotment on which the Council is satisfied by a geotechnical or water balance assessment that disposal of waste water within the boundaries of the allotment is feasible.

Land shown uncoloured 36. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Council may consent to development of land shown uncoloured on the Map for a purpose which is permissible on land adjoining that land,

Contaminated land 37. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Council may consent to development of land that the Environment Protection Authority has advised the Council is contaminated or potentially contaminated only if the development includes measures to deal with the remediation of the land.

Clubs on open space land 38. (1) This clause applies to the following land while the land is being used for private recreational purposes: (a) Lithgow Bowling Club, being the land in DP 332058 and Lot 1, DP 557641; (b) Lithgow Greyhound Racing Association land, being Part DP 327930 ..

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Council may consent to development for the purpose of clubs on land to which this clause applies.

Greater LitllgolV CitV COllncil 17

PART 4 HERITAGE PROVISIONS

Heritage objectives 39. The heritage objectives of this Plan are: (a) to conserve the environmental heritage of the City of Greater Lithgow; (b) to better integrate heritage conservation into the planning and development control processes; (c) to provide for public involvement in matters relating to the conservation of the area's environmental heritage; and (d) to ensure that new development is undertaken in a manner that is sympathetic to and does not detract from, the heritage si~nificance of heritage items and their settings, as well as streetscapes and landscapes and the distinctive character that they impart to the City of Greater Lithgow.

Heritage items 40. (1) In respect of a building, work, place, tree, relic or land that is a heritage item, a person must not, except with the consent of the Council: (a) demolish or alter the building or work; (b) damage, despoil or destroy the place, tree, or relic; (c) erect a building on, or subdivide, the land.

(2) Before granting consent to the demolishing, defacing or damaging of a heritage item, the Heritage Council must be notified by the Council of the application and the Council must take into consideration any comments by the Heritage Council received within 28 days after the notice is sent.

(3) Before granting such a consent, the Council must consider the impact of the development on the heritage significance of the item.

(4) Development consent is not required if the Council considers the proposed development would not adversely affect the heritage significance of the item concerned.

(5) The Council may decline to determine a development application

Local EIII'irollmelltal Plait 199-1



18 Greater Litllgow C4v COllllcil

required by this clause unless it has considered a conservation plan explaining the heritage significance of the item and the impact of the proposed development on the significance of the item and its setting.

Development in the vicinity of heritage items 41. The Council must not grant consent to development on land in the vicinity of a heritage item unless it has made an assessment of the effect the carrying out of that development will have on the heritage significance of the item and its setting.

Development of known or potential arcbaeological sites 42. (1) The Council may grant consent to development on a known or potential archaeological site: (a) that has European· heritage significance, only if the Council is satisfied that any necessary excavation permit under the Heritage Act 1977 has been granted; or (b) that is the lo.cation of a relic or an Aboriginal place, within the meaning of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, only if the Council has notified the DirectorGeneral of National Parks and Wildlife of its intention to do so and the Council has taken into consideration any comments received from the Director-General within 28 days after the notice was sent.

(2) The Council may decline to determine a development application relating to a known or potential archaeological site unless it has considered an assessment of how the site would be affected by the proposed development and how the site could be conserved.

Conservation incentives 43. The Council may grant consent to the use, for any purpose, of a building that is a heritage item or the land on which such a building is erected,' even if the use is otherwise prohibited by this Plan, if it is satisfied that:

Local Em'uomnelltalPLall1994

(a) the proposed use would have little or no adverse effect on the conservation of the building, or on the amenity of the locality in which it is situated; and (b) the conservation of the item depends upon the granting of consent.

Advertised development 44. The provisions of sections 84, 85, 86, 87(1) and 90 of the Act apply to -development specified in Schedule 2 in the same way as they apply to designated development.

SCHEDULE 1

HERITAGE ITEMS

LOCALITY

BOWENFELS Tweed Road, Main Western Line Evans Place Great Western Highway CLARENCE Main West Line: DARK CORNER Sunny Corner - Capertee Road GLENDAVIS HARTLEY Great Western Highway Great Western Highway Jenolan Caves Road Old Bathurst Road Old Bathurst Road Old Bathurst Road HARTLEYVALE Gap Road Hartley Vale Road Hartley Vale Road Hartley Vale Road (330m south ofCollits Inn)

Hartley Vale Road

Mid Bartley Road LIDSDALE MudgeeRoad LITHGOW Bells Road

Bennett Street Bent Street

Bragg Street, 1-13 and 2-12 Brewery Lane Bridge Street Bridge Street/Cnr. Mort Street Bridge Street/Cnr. Mort Street

Brisbane Street, 1-9 and 2-12 Commonwealth Avenue

Greater Litlzgow Cip COll1lcil 19

(Cl.6(l))

ITEM

Lithgow Woollen Mill Railway Station Group Methven Co 0 erwull

Railway items Newnes Junction - Sodwalls

General Cemetery Oil Shale Works and Refinery

St. John Anglican Church Old Roman Catholic Cemetery Grave of Eliza Rodd Courthouse St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church Group Former Royal Hotel

Blackman and Merrick Family Cemetery Lockyers Pass, Shale Mining and Works Remains

Collits/Mt. York Burial Ground

Collits, formerly Golden Fleece

Slab Cottage

Lidsdale House Gardens

Oakey Park Colliery

Eskbank House Lithgow Valley Colliery and Pottery

Houses Former Zig Zag Brewery Union Theatre Lithgow Court House Hoskins Memorial

Houses

Presbyterian

Staff Cottages, Small Arms Factory

Inn

Site

Site

Church

Local EIlI'irolll1lelltal Plall 199-1


------------~. ---------

I I APPENDIX 6:

I DETAILED CONDITION REPORTS OF EACH OF THE COMPANION BUILDINGS AND SPACES


Building: Garden House

Address: Eskbank House,

Inch Street, Lithgow

Floor: Ground

Figure(s):

Area: Garden

Plate s :

Element Condition Ag~ Good Fair Poor Ol'ig Rep

Floor X X

Walls X X X North

North X X X West

North X X X East

~

Materials

Smooth, squared sandstone slabs of irregular

size and layout. Butted direct to rendered

sandstone wall at base. Evidence of rising damp

penetrating through floor.

External wall is ashlar sandstone, with rusticated

face, with blocks of variable length. Courses of6"

even depth, with some l' square blocks. Quoins

of I ' in depth, these standing I " proud of the wall

and being smooth margined with rusticated face.

Quoin stones also located on window sides.

Mortar of soft, lime based material. Mortar

eroded to variable depth, but around W'. Internal

wall is hard render, painted white. Minor

cracking evident.

As above for north wall. Portico of timber frame

and zincalume roof.

As above for north wall. Smoke staining from . roof water runoff.


I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Element Condition Good Fair Poor

South X South X East

South X West

Roof X Cornice

Skirting

Architrave

Contents X X

Age Materiais Orig Rcp

X X As above for north wall.

X X As above for north wall. Two loose bricks

plugging hole in wall corresponding to pipe in

early photographs.

X X as above for north wall.

.

X Corrugated zincalume steel.

~

not applicable ,,.

not applicable :

not applicable

X Furniture, scales, paintings, sketches, printing

press, etc.

Building: Stable / Coach House

Address: Eskbank House, Inch

Street, Lithgow

Floor: Ground

Figure(s):

Area: Stable complex

Plate(s):

Element Condition Age Good Fair Poor Orig Rep

,Floor X X

Walls X X North

South X

East X X

I i 1;1 I

,..,.. -r-u-t t:~

I _,u 'f-." : p...../f~1 C<\O,~ , "~. p r'","::1

!

'----, h

."_"'" .'V'/ r.-.• fl" r .•. ,

· . . 6<dlbo< ( · £"~k:-... ,f..{", " .... -e ..... ) (I'''r/~..t

·r · . , ··,.,.r.

ilflf 11111 ~ Pb",

;",A ~....,.w.r

~.f.u.-t

J"Mk UJn(7)

Materials ~

Concrete, smooth trowel fInish. Butted direct to

sandstone wall at base.

External wall is solid ashlar sandstone with

smooth, picked face that has been weathered.

Courses of I' even thickness, 1'6" in thickness,

with blocks of variable length. Mortar of soft,

lime based'material, with lime particles visible in

the fine to medium quartz-rich mix. Mortar

eroded to variable depth, but around I". Internal

wall is rear of external block, whitewashed with

coarse brush. White has been overlaid with grey.

Evidence of slight rising damp. Abuts

blacksmiths court to north.

as above for north walL Some repointing and

minor indents have been done, in hard white

mortar. Some external whitewash remnant in -pick marks.

as above for north walL Abuts garage/dwelling

to east. Major pointing failure in e~osed

sandstone between the two roof lines.


J/ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Element

West

Ceiling

Door

Door

Skirting

Architrave

Roof

Cornice

Contents

Condition Good Fair Poor

X X

X X

X

X

X X

Age Materials Orig Rep

as above for north wall. Stairway to attic coming

away from stable wall. Stairway sandstone of

similar style to blacksmiths court, but much

weathered and eroded. -

X X Adzed 6" joists supporting attic floor above.

Southern end is second hand weathered 4"

hardwod Tongue and grooved flboring, turned

over. Northern end is new cypress 3" flooring.

Remnants oftarpaper on underside of adzed ~

joists, pinned by galvanised clouts.

X Double doors to coach house. Sawn hardwood

slat construction, ledged and braced with

glavanised iron sheet on internal side. Hinges set

into walls - some damage towalls from bolts.

X Person access to coach house. to yard. Sawn

hardwood slat construction, ledged and braced

with glavanised iron sheet on internal side.

Original posts bolted to walls.

not applicable

not applicable

not applicable

not applicable

X Tools,pottery, bricks, mould patterns, timber

.sulky, various timber goods. Many items dirty

and difficult tosee, let alone interpret.

Building: Stable / Coach House


Street, Lithgow

Floor: Attic

Figure(s):


PhlteJsj:


Floor X X X X

Walls X X North

South X

i :

,..". 7e..u,{ r;1 -"-' y"L 7>-11'-:1/

~"Z,?r G.,~ ...

]

. . .

. t",kr .... f,(t 2;;~:~ (, .. rl!JII • ..t

0 -~,~mn:r

Pia",

/J{ ~.....-hc.r ~.f.u..f

l' ""dk WIn p

~

Materials

Adzed square, part round 6" joists supporting

attic floor. Southern end is second hand

weathered 4" hardwod Tongue and grooved

flooring, tumed over. Northern end is new

cypress 3" flooring.



Courses of l' even thickness, 1'6" in thickness,

with blocks of variable length. Internal wall

height 2Yz courses, with raked underside of roof ..

above. Mortar of soft, lime based material, with

lime particles visible in the fme to medium

quartz-rich mix. External mortar joints eroded to

variable depth, but around 1 ". Internal wall is

rear of external block, whitewashed with coarse

brush. Light stone has been overlaid with eau-

denil, and a partial coat of white over that.

Abuts blacksmith's court to north.

as above for north wall. Some external

whitewash remnant in pick marks.


I I Element Condition Age Materials

I Good Fair Poor Orig Rep

I East X X X as above for north wall. Abuts garage/dwelling

to east. Major pointing failure in exposed

sandstone between the two rooflines. Cement

I used as flashing indicates that original roof line

would have been higher, and possibly indicates

I the level of the original shingle roof.

West X X X As above for north wall. Adzed::timber beam

I with rough chamfer set into wall to support head

of door frame.

I Ceiling X X X X Underside of roof stmcture. Display framing is "",

structural, performing the job of collar ties to stop

I spread of roof and walls. Chiselled areas oh

underside of rafters indicate batten locations and

I paint line on wall indicates earlier ceiling level.

Round nail holes indicate that this would have

been later than the original roofwork.

I Door X X Person access to attic. Sawn radiata pine slat

construction, ledged on internal side. Original

I posts bolted to walls.

I Skirting not applicable

Architrave not applicable

I Roof X X X Cormgated galvanised iron, with pale grey paint

finish to external surface. Reflective foil sarking

I over battens. Round 3-4" rafters with hand

forged nails remaining.

I Cornice not applicable .;

I Contents X X X Tools, mould patterns, various timber goods.

I I I

Building: Blacksmiths Court


Street, Lithgow

Floor: Ground

Figure(s):


Plate(s):

Element Condition Age Good Fail' Poor Orig Rep

Floor X X

Walls X X North

South X

East X -

West X

Ceiling

,..;<" r~,d 0 _'"' 'Po" ' p-II":II ,~ : ~~~ ~ ~/.;"2

I - , , ... ,~ " .,: ,

. . . ':'fo,kr.....,f,{-t t.<dll~ [ . <'h'~.,.~) ~r-....,./~Il,..t

~lAF1l~ -

'PM'" /H ~....rh.r

~.r-f

)/zI:5k. ~;nl'

Materials ~

Silica chip gravel, <lOmm in chip size. Graded

so that water drains toward walls. Minor weed

growth.

External wall is ashlar sandstone with rusticated

face,with double courses ended by quoins ~f

thickness between l' and 1'3". Mortar of soft,

lime based material, with lime particles visible in

the fme yellow mix. Mortar eroded to variable

depth, but around 1 n. Internal wall is squared

and roughly coursed rubble, generally along the

levels of the quoins. Internal walls whitewashed

with coarse brush.

Wall of stab1e/coachouse to south. Ashlar

sandstone of I' course thickness. Some

whitewash remnant in pick marks.

as above for north wall

as above for north wall, but whitewash lost where

exposed to weather.

not applicable


f I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Element

Door

Windows

Skirting

Architrave

Roof

Cornice

Contents

Condition Age Good Fair Poor Orig Rep

X X

X X X X

X X X

Materials

Gate to yard. Sawn hardwood slat construction,

boxed and braced. Posts bolted to wing walls -

some damage to quoins from previous and

current bolts. -not applicable

not applicable -

not applicable

Galvanised corrugated iron roof, 3" pitch. Screw

fixed to 3" xl" sawn hardwood battens on

generally 4" round hardwood rafters. Only

original major timber seems to be the lintel on the

north bay, adzed 6" square. This appears to be

severely attacked by borer. Posts and lintels are

mostly recent replacements, appearing to be re-

used generally 8" round telephone/power poles.

Wire nails only noted, in what appears to be

original rafters. Post and lintels bolted. Evidence

of many nails, staples, etc in adzed lintel beam.

South side roof missing.

No gutters or evidence thereof -

not applicable

Ironworking tools, mould patterns, timber carts,

various timber goods. Many items heavily

weathered. Stabilisation and/or repair needed to

many items.

--

Building: Workers House /

Garage

Address: EsI{bank House,

Inch Street, Lithgow

Floor: Ground

Figure(s):


Plate(s):


Floor X X

Walls X X North

.

South X

~.....-k~

~-b-+

J'Mdf<:.. Win!,

Materials

Concrete, smooth trowel finish. Butted direct to

sandstone wall at base.



Courses of I' even thickness, 8" in depth, with

blocks of variable length. Mortar of soft, lime

based material, with lime particles visible in the

fme to medium quartz-rich mix. Original mortar

eroded to variable depth, but around W'.-

Extensive repointing done in hard white mortar.

Extensive indent or full stone replacement also in

this wall. Internal wall is rear of external block,

whitewashed with coarse brush. White has been

overlaid with grey and pink. Evidence of slight

rising damp. Abuts modem open storage yard to

north.

as above for north wall. Some damage to wall

and sill of window due to removal-of iron window

bars.


1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Contents X X X Tools,pottery, bricks, mould patterns, timber

sulky, various timber goods. Many items dirty

and difficult tosee, let alone interpret.

APPENDIX 7:

LANDSCAPING IDENTIFCATION PLAN R. PASKlNMAIH


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I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I

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51-I~ET 1'7 OF 1?

- - - - - - - - - -5 T A{)I-E,184 2

I\lCK 5TKEET AND B"NNe.TT'5T~En l-ITfIGON - - -

SECTION CC

- -

Documents

FOR THE GROUNDS AND COMPANION BUILDINGS I OF I …