Built between 1841 and 1844 Willandra Historic House stands proudly. It’s a testament to the ambition of James Devlin. He was a wheelwright who rose through the ranks to become a prominent figure in Ryde. Willandra wasn’t always called Willandra. Initially known as Ryde House it reflected Devlin’s influence. He named it after the English town Ryde. His wife Susannah and their ten children lived here for almost 30 years.
Devlin acquired the land in 1828. It was part of an original grant from 1794 to John Small. Devlin cleverly subdivided the property in 1841. This formed the core of Ryde Village. The Georgian style of Willandra Historic House was a bold statement. It showed Devlin’s prosperity despite the economic hardship of the 1850s. He even mortgaged the property soon after its completion. Despite these challenges the Devlins stayed at Willandra.
After the Devlins sold Willandra Historic House in 1874 its ownership changed hands several times. It passed to wealthy families like the Mannings. They lived here from around 1874 to 1896. It is believed they chose the name Willandra. This name is thought to be derived from an Aboriginal word meaning rushing water. Several creeks ran through the property. Willandra Historic House became a boarding school for girls. It was run by Ellen Pye from 1894 to 1899.
In the twentieth century Willandra Historic House had a different life. It was used as a service station and a car yard. By the 1970s demolition seemed inevitable. The Ryde District Historical Society and the National Trust fought to save it. Their efforts were successful. Thanks to their advocacy and government funding the Ryde City Council purchased Willandra Historic House in 1976. Restoration work completed in 1980 was supervised by Clive Lucas. It brought back its original glory. Willandra Historic House now serves as a museum and an art gallery. It also hosts community events. It continues to stand as a symbol of Ryde’s history.