A Rare Opportunity To Visit Cooerwull House

LOCATION: Cooerwull House, 36 Andrew Street, Bowenfels, NSW 2790

WHEN; SUNDAY 21 APRIL 2024. 10 am to 4 pm.

COST: Adults $25, accompanying children under 15 free.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL (Details below): Entry from 10 am. Gardens and outbuildings can be explored at your leisure but you must book a session time for admission to the house.

This Colonial heritage jewel, set just west of the Blue Mountains, is a remarkable series of early brick and sandstone buildings. In 1824, the builder, Scottish immigrant Andrew Brown, was given a grant of 200 acres at Bowenfels. His original simple cottage, built in the early 1820’s, remains as the northern rooms of Cooerwull House, the home of impressive proportions that Brown created with extensions undertaken in the 1830’s and 1840’s. A separate kitchen building was reputedly overseen by Christina Brown when she came from Scotland as Brown’s new bride in 1841. Brown went on to build other brick and stone buildings to complete the cluster of pre 1850 buildings that we see today. A privy, barn, stables incorporating coachman’s quarters, shearing shed, equipment storage shed and conservatory, all in a consistent architectural style, creates a stunning building cluster which became the headquarters of a grazing holding of 190,000 acres on the Castlereagh River. By 1850, Brown was shearing thousands of sheep at Cooerwull brought down each year from the Castlereagh. Final extensions to the house were completed in the 1860’s.

At the kind invitation of Cooerwull’s owners, direct descendants of Andrew Brown, the Lithgow Branch of the National Trust has been invited to manage an Open Day to allow people with an interest in our colonial heritage to view this remarkable building cluster. Guests can view the house and farm buildings and can roam freely through the grounds. Knowledgeable local guides will provide an insight into key features. Admission includes a commemorative booklet incorporating an incisive article by noted Andrew Brown scholar, the late Associate Professor Ian Jack. Bookings essential. Go to Try Booking at https://www.trybooking.com/COQFN .

Proceeds of the day will be used to fund conservation work on this important early colonial property.