Tour of Belmont House, 177 Grose Vale Road, North Richmond.
MEET: 9:00 for 9:30 departure: Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre, 328 Hawkesbury Valley Way, Richmond. 15 minute drive to Belmont House, situated in the grounds of the St John of God Hospital, 177 Grose Vale Road, North Richmond.
ARRVE: 9:45 for 10:00 tour.
$25pp (bulk payment required so please RSVP to events@buickclub.org.au). Min number 15 for tour.
A grand Victorian Italianate sandstone mansion, on site with St John of God Hospital. Built 1890-92, historic estate now serves a local heritage landmark & administrative centre within the hospital grounds.
The building of the mansion commenced in 1891, the stone for the outer walls of the mansion was quarried in the Grose and Parramatta quarries. These were brought up river on a large barge, and a block and tackle was used to transport the stones up to the house site. Whilst on a trip to England, Philip Charley brought back all the terracotta, the terrazzo tiles, the marble and all the stanchions (that were made in Liverpool) that were made to measure for the veranda…..He also engaged the artisans he needed from there as well as Italy. Charley’s new home, once known locally as “Charley’s Castle”, epitomised the opulence of the Victorian era….. Into its erection went elaborate architectural planning and the labour of imported artisans. The mansion has fifteen ground floor main rooms, with a courtyard in the centre.
LUNCH: 12:30-1:00: at the nearby Butler’s Pantry Café, 41 Yobarnie Ave, North Richmond 4702-3639. 5 minute drive from Belmont House.