WOODHOUSE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX
Woodhouse Lane WOODHOUSE, Southern Grampians Shire
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Statement of Significance
The Woodhouse Homestead Complex is located in the north-west corner of the intersection of the Hamilton-Chatsworth Road and Woodhouse Lane about 12kms north-east of Mount Rouse. It is at the head of Muston's Creek. The squatting run was taken up by Adolphus Sceales in March 1848 who died in 1854. The run then passed to James Ritchie who passed it on to his brothers, Daniel and Simon Ritchie in 1858 and, from 1860, Simon Ritchie held the licence on his own (B&K, 302). The Ritchie brothers were in partnership with James Sceales, Adolphus' brother, in the neighbouring Blackwood run. For much of the later nineteenth century, Woodhouse was occupied by James Alexander. The original dwelling survives and was later used as a kitchen. A new homestead was built immediately adjacent to it in 1857 and this was extended in 1868 by the architect J. M. Knight of Penshurst. It was extended and substantially modernised about 1900. It remains today much as it was at that time and is set in a large mature landscaped garden including an ornamental lake. The very large woolshed and the men's quarters were also built in 1868. The Ritchie family held the property until 1928 when it was purchased by John Baillieu. It was sub-divided under the Soldier Settlement Scheme and, in 1948, the block including the homestead complex was allocated to W. C. Wawn. The Plowright family were the subsequent owners. The homestead and garden are in very good condition and the various outbuildings and woolshed are in good condition, all retaining a high degree of integrity to the early twentieth century period.
How is it significant?
The Woodhouse Homestead Complex is of historical and architectural significance to the Shire of Southern Grampians.
Why is it significant?
The Woodhouse Homestead Complex is of historical significance for its associations with Adolphus and Jane Sceales, Scottish immigrants and early squatters who established the run. It is of further significance for its long term ownership by the important Ritchie family, although it was developed by James Alexander. The Woodhouse Homestead Complex is of architectural significance for demonstrating a sequence of development, each stage of which is still represented including the major developments in 1868 which were designed by the local architect, J. M. Knight.
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WOODHOUSE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Conditions
The homestead is in very good condition. The coachhouse and stables are in good condition. The woolshed is in good condition and has archaeological potential in the sheep dip and channel. The men's quarters are ruinous although they retain some archaeological potential. The garden and general landscaping are in very good condition.
WOODHOUSE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 1
The original dwelling at Woodhouse is a simple vernacular cottage of two rooms. It has since been incorporated into the larger bluestone house, itself substantially altered and extended. The walls of the house are rockface bluestone with dressed edges set in 12 inch courses. This has been very carefully replicated in the extensions. The windows are 12 paned, double hung sashes. The main entrance is a simple four panelled door with a rectangular fanlight above but with no side lights. Many internal joinery details such as mantels, doors and skirtings survive from each period. There are extensive pressed metal and coved ceilings from the circa 1900 alterations and extensions. The whole of the roof appears to have been rebuilt and is now contiguous with the verandah. The bluestone chimneys, which are now distinctive features, may have been extended. Skylights in the verandah section provide light to the main windows. The verandah has paired timber columns and a red concrete floor. The house, which looks towards the Grampians, is set in an extensive mature garden, overlooking a dam created as an ornamental lake.
Near the rear of the house there is a small bluestone coachhouse with a shallow pitched corrugated iron roof. The rockface stonework with dressed edges matches the main house. The ends of the masonry are unfinished indicating that the building was to be larger. Hinges survive indicating that there were doors across the main opening which is divided by a chamfered timber post.
The nearby stables are timber and include some walls which are horizontal or drop slab construction. The structure appears to have been substantially extended, probably about 1900 when major alterations were made to the house. The slab walls may date from the 1850s if not earlier. The slab construction is in very good condition. Some of the roof above the slab walls is lined with boards above the rafters.
The woolshed is rectangular in plan and very large. It has low bluestone walls with full 12 inch courses and a low pitched corrugated iron roof. There is a corrugated iron extension at the eastern end. The board is on the long north side and there are six outlets for sheep with doorways to either side of them. The yards are all new. On the south side there is a 1950s sheep dip, now disused. The bluestone men's quarters is in ruins some distance from the woolshed towards the south-west.WOODHOUSE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies
3.5 Developing primary production
3.5.1 Grazing stock
3.5.2 Breeding animals
3.5.3 Developing agricultural industries
Theme 5: Working
5.8 Working on the landWOODHOUSE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Usage/Former Usage
Continuing as a grazing property.
WOODHOUSE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Integrity
The homestead retains a high degree of integrity to its c.1900 stage of development. The coachhouse is intact to its original condition (although it is missing its doors). The stables retain a high degree of integrity to its c.1900 stage of development and include important early fabric. The woolshed is intact to its original condition. The men's quarters are in ruins.
WOODHOUSE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 2
Adolphus and Jane Sceales
Ritchie Brothers
Simon Ritchie
James Alexander
J. M. Knight, architectWOODHOUSE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 3
previously Woodhouse Pre-emptive Right to James Ritchie; CA 5 Pt 4 Sec E Kay
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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