Journey back in time with me to Werrington House. This heritage-listed country residence holds secrets of early colonial life. Werrington House was built between 1829 and 1832. Robert Copland Lethbridge and his wife Mary called it home. Mary was the daughter of former Governor Philip Gidley King. Imagine life in the early 1830s. Werrington House was the heart of a large estate.
The suburb of Werrington gets its name from this very estate. Mary King, Governor Philip King’s daughter, received a 790-acre land grant in 1806. She named it Marys Farm. Later, she married Robert Copland Lethbridge in Cornwall. They returned to NSW. Lethbridge bought another 600 acres next to his wife’s land. Werrington House was built on this combined land. The house remained in the King-Lethbridge family for many years.
Werrington House stands as a testament to Georgian architecture. Symmetry is crucial. The most significant change was the addition of an orangery. It replaced a jarring 1970s add-on. The couple used this addition to mirror a pise de terre in the backyard. It housed the original kitchen.
Inside Werrington House, you will see the beautiful details. Cornices in an 1830s style were replicated throughout. Original ironbark floorboards were stripped of layers of paint. They were refinished with tung oil. Georgian-style rope pulls replaced plastic light switches. Chandeliers and antique furniture create an elegant unity. Most pieces are sourced from Belgium.
Werrington House has seen many changes. In 2012, Jennine Leonarder-Collins and Peter Collins bought the house. It needed serious repair. Guttering was held together with gaffer tape. The roof had rusted. Water damaged the ceilings. Termites had taken their toll.
Despite the disrepair, the structure and character were intact. The couple wanted to restore the Georgian grandeur. They introduced European features. Marble and old English tapware were added. The house is now a family home.
Werrington House has a fascinating history. It was home to only two families. The daughter of the third governor of NSW lived here. Later, Sir Henry Parkes leased it from 1860 to 1872. Even a private railway platform called Parkes Platform served the house. It later became Werrington Station.
The surrounding area has its own story. Werrington Creek flows nearby. Werrington Lake was created to help with flooding. It is now a recreational area. Frogmore Estate, granted to Mary Putland, is also nearby. It was renamed Werrington Park in 1935.
Werrington House continues to cast its spell. It draws people into its fascinating story. The current owners feel protected here. They say if there are any ghosts, they are friendly ones.
So, as you stand before Werrington House, imagine the lives lived here. Picture the Lethbridge family. Envision Sir Henry Parkes arriving by train. Feel the history in the sandstone walls. Werrington House is more than just a building. It is a living piece of Australian history.