Two great examples of colonial Georgian house architecture have made the news this month.
Above: Tasmania's historic Clarendon House, red room interior. (ABC News)
Historic homestead makeover
Source: ABC News online
Friday Dec 4, 2009 9:55am AEDT
Video: Historic homestead gets revamp (7pm TV News TAS) Evandale 7212
The National Trust in Tasmania has welcomed funding to restore what is reputedly one of Australia's greatest colonial homes.
The State Government has announced it will provide $120,000 to restore Clarendon House, built in northern Tasmania in 1838.
That is on top of $800,000 from the Federal Government.
The Trust's managing director, Chris Tassell, says the funding will be used to repaint and repair crumbling stairs on the historic property.
"I think it's generally recognised that this is perhaps one of the greatest, arguably the greatest, early pre-1850s colonial houses in Australia," he said.
"I mean it is of a scale and magnitude that is literally unmatched and it gives some idea of the wealth that was generated from northern Tasmania."
Above: Campania House (ABC)
Historic house stays in Tasmanian hands
Source: ABC News online 13 December 2009
One of southern Tasmania's oldest homes has sold at auction to a local farmer. Campania House and 22 hectares of farmland went for $1.54 million.
About 1000 people attended the sale and bidding was strong but the eight bedroom sandstone house was snapped up by grazier Robert Downie. The house contents are also being sold, with proceeds going to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. Mr Downie plans to live in the Georgian property, which was built for Lieutenant George Weston Gunning who arrived in Van Dieman's Land circa 1810. Lt Gunning was made Inspector of Public Works and officiated at the laying of the foundation stone of Richmond Bridge in 1823.
Historic Houses saved: Clarendon and Campania
