Elizabeth Farm
Elizabeth Farm is a historic estate located at 70 Alice Street, Rosehill, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Elizabeth Farm was the family home of wool pioneers John and Elizabeth Macarthur. The estate was commenced in 1793 on a slight hill overlooking the upper reaches of Parramatta River, 23 kilometres (14 mi) west of Sydney Cove. The Burramattagal clan of the Dharug people are the traditional custodians of the area; their presence is recalled in the name Parramatta.
| Elizabeth Farm | |
|---|---|
Façade of Elizabeth Farm cottage | |
Location in Greater Sydney | |
| Etymology | Elizabeth Macarthur |
| General information | |
| Status | House museum, public park |
| Type | Rural estate |
| Architectural style | Australian Old Colonial |
| Location | 70 Alice Street, Rosehill, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°49′17″S 151°01′04″E |
| Completed | 1793 |
| Client | John Macarthur and his wife Elizabeth |
| Owner | Sydney Living Museums |
| Landlord | Office of Environment and Heritage, Government of New South Wales |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) |
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| Website | |
| sydneylivingmuseums | |
New South Wales Heritage Register | |
| Official name | Elizabeth Farm |
| Type | Private residence, farm, gardens |
| Criteria | a., c., d., e., f. |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 00001 |
| References | |
The small, solid three-roomed brick cottage in the Australian Old Colonial style was transformed, by the late 1820s, into a smart country house, surrounded by 'pleasure grounds', orchards and almost 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of semi-cleared land. Enveloped within later extensions, the early cottage remains intact, making it Australia's oldest surviving European dwelling. The estate is managed by Sydney Living Museums as a museum that is open to the public for a modest fee.
On 2 April 1999 the estate was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, the first property entered on the register.