“Imagine winning a fortune in a card game and building a house with it.” This is part of the story of Brislington Medical and Nursing Museum. Brislington stands as Parramatta’s oldest dwelling. It showcases over 150 years of medical science and nursing.
Let’s step back to 1821. John Hodges, an ex-convict, constructed this gracious Georgian building. He won 1,000 pounds in gold at a card game. He then used his winnings to build this townhouse. It’s located on the corner of George and Marsden Streets.
Hodges even commemorated his winning hand. He had convict bricklayers create a diamond pattern. This pattern is visible on the exterior back wall. It represents the eight of diamonds.
Brislington wasn’t always a museum. From 1857 to 1949, it served as the Brown family’s residence and medical practice. Dr Walter Brown named it Brislington after his birthplace in Bristol, England. Three generations of Browns practiced medicine here.
Interestingly, Brislington briefly served as a nurses’ home during World War I. Later, in 1949, Parramatta District Hospital used it again for nurses’ accommodation.
But time took its toll. By the 1960s, termite damage threatened Brislington. There were even plans to demolish this historically significant building. Fortunately, the National Trust stepped in. They classified Brislington as highly significant and recommended its restoration.
Since 1983, Brislington Medical and Nursing Museum has opened its doors. It preserves the history of medicine and nursing in Parramatta. The museum features several rooms.
Visit the Colonial Room. See historical photographs and early medical equipment. The story of John Hodges is also outlined here.
The Ward displays nursing procedures since the 1940s. See equipment used when antibiotics were introduced.
The Nurses’ Room showcases photographs and memorabilia of doctors and nurses. These items date back to the 1880s.
Don’t miss the Operating Theatre. Surgical and anaesthetic equipment from the eighteenth century are on display.
The World War One Nurses exhibit highlights nurses’ contributions. It focuses on five nurses from Parramatta District Hospital. They served in various war theatres.
The Brown Room pays tribute to doctors who served Parramatta Hospitals. See equipment used by three generations of the Brown family.
Brislington Medical and Nursing Museum faced another threat in 2013. There was a possibility of selling it to raise funds for health infrastructure. Volunteers campaigned to save this rare building. Today, Brislington stands as a testament to Parramatta’s medical history. It is a reminder of the dedication and service of healthcare professionals. It is a place where the past comes alive.