Emu Bottom Homestead
Emu Bottom Homestead is a historic homestead near Sunbury, Victoria, Australia. Built c. 1836, Emu Bottom is the oldest existing farmhouse constructed by settlers in Victoria.[1][2] It was so named because "it was low lying ground and the haunt of numerous emus."[3] The main homestead and some of its outlying buildings were constructed from "local stone, dry coursed with creek mud."[4]
Emu Bottom is also a rare example of early Australian colonial architecture, with its "twelve paned deeply recessed windows ... recalling the old world ... while the homestead (was) also intelligently adapted to the new environment" with its wide verandas and easterly aspect.[3]
History
The building of Emu Bottom homestead commenced circa 1836. George Evans (1785–1876), who had arrived on the Schooner
Restoration and revival
In 1968 under the direction of architects John and Phyllis Murphy, expert and painstaking restoration was carried out; the additions of the previous hundred years …were unmade."[7] During restoration, several discoveries were made including the original kitchen fireplace and oven, as well as some artefacts. Some further restoration took place after a fire in 1980.[8]
Emu Bottom operated as a tourist attraction between 1970 and 1975, attracting 90,000 visitors a year.
As the city of Sunbury grew closer, pressure on the small 600-acre (2.4 km2) farm increased. In 1979 the farm was subdivided, with 24 hectares being preserved for the historic homestead.[11]
Today the homestead and surrounds are managed by The Epicurean Group as a function & reception centre. An important wetlands nearby has several platypus viewing platforms.[12]
References
- ^ "Victoria's Oldest Homestead - the Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 14 Jul 1945".
- ^ "VHD".
- ^ ISBN 0-908198-02-7
- ISBN 0-949288-03-9
- ^ "Emu Bottom Weddings - Overview". Archived from the original on 22 March 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ Elisabeth Grove, p.332.
- ^ Elisabeth Grove, p.334.
- ^ a b "Emu Bottom Weddings - Overview". Archived from the original on 14 March 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "Cash & Company Tandarra Cash and Company".
- ^ "Hume City Council - History & Heritage". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ "The Age - Google News Archive Search".
- ^ "TRACKS, TRAILS AND COASTS NEAR MELBOURNE : Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve and Homestead". 11 October 2007.