PROPERTY

HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST

From June 1793, John Macarthur’s grant of 100 acres, Elizabeth Farm, was cleared for pasture and planting. A second grant in 1794, named after his first son Edward, doubled the estate in size. Within a few years, having purchased a number of neighbouring farms along the Parramatta River, Macarthur’s estate was cropped with corn, wheat, potatoes and vegetables. By 1798, three acres of fruit trees and vines surrounded the cottage along with European trees and a rambling ornamental garden. The Macarthurs stocked 130 goats and 100 hogs along with a horse, 2 mares, 2 cows and a wide variety of poultry.

Despite some land under cultivation, large areas of bush remained uncleared. The Darug landscape was thriving with wildlife, from river banks and wooded gullies to the open grassy ridges. People of the Burramuttagal, Wangal and Wategora groups continued to maintain long and complex connections with this place. Nonetheless, to supplement foods grown and grazed, the Macarthurs hunted native fauna – ducks, wallaby, fish and eels – aided by dogs, rifles and traps.

Periodically repaired and mended, though increasing ramshackle, Elizabeth Farm remained in Macarthur family ownership for another 5 decades. The homestead garden grew wild while paddocks, fields and fences were neglected. Tenants, forever complaining, occupied cottages on the estate. Finally, debts and complications in winding up the 40 year lease of a woollen mill forced the sale of Elizabeth Farm in 1881.

From 1904 to 1968, Elizabeth Farm, on less than 5 acres, was owned by the Swanns - a large family of Quakers, whose appreciation of the old farmhouse led to its preservation. The property was acquired by the State Government in 1979 and, after several years of restoration, was transferred to the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales in 1983. The current museum was launched in 1984.