The Sydney Mint - Macqaurie Street - Sydney - New South Wales

The Sydney Mint 

Macquarie Street 

How many McQuarrie‘s critics never cease to winning out that he had virtually paid in rum for Sydneys second general hospital.

Looking back, it seems a brilliant street by the government to have acquired a huge public building for nothing, whatever that means employed.

The first General Hospital was in what is now lower George Street. By McQuarrie‘s time it was a filthy house of death. The governor then let the contract for a new one in McQuarrie Street to 3 men who had never built anything-

 

The governor then let the contract for a new one in McQuarrie Street to 3 men who had never built anything-

Darcy went Worth

-random black cell

– Alexander Riley

In return they were permitted to import 45,000 gallons of rum in three years.

This was almost a monopoly, but the three speculators do not seem to have made much profit on it.

The hospital, the first part of which was opened in 1916, was in three sections.

The present Sydney hospital stands on the side of the large central block, which was pulled down in 1879. To the north and the south of the main block with separate -surgeons quarters. The wing in the north still stands, as Parliament house.

It is a quite a mess of additions, tacked on to save space to cramped legislators. It’s twin the Southern building, which first housed the assistant surgeons, has escaped uglification. It stands at the top of Macquarie Street, it’s pillared facade admired as a fine relic of colonial design.

From 1885 to 1926 a branch of the Royal Mint worked there, producing the first New South Wales sovereign Beloved by collectors.

It now houses government departments, including ironically, the state housing commission.

The Mint in Sydney, also known as the Sydney Mint or the Rum Hospital, has a fascinating history deeply intertwined with the city's colonial past, economic development, and architectural heritage. Here's an overview of its history:

Background and Construction:

• The Mint was originally established in response to the need for a reliable currency in the early colony of New South Wales, which suffered from a shortage of official coinage.
• The building that would become the Mint was originally intended to be the Rum Hospital, constructed using funds generated from the importation of rum.

Architectural Significance:

• The Rum Hospital (future Mint) was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway, who was renowned for his neoclassical designs.
• The building's design was influenced by the classical architectural principles of symmetry, proportion, and grandeur.

Conversion to the Mint:

• The Rum Hospital was not used as a medical facility for long. In the 1850s, it was repurposed as the Sydney Mint to address the shortage of local coinage.
• The Mint was equipped with machinery to produce gold sovereigns and silver coins. It played a crucial role in providing a stable and official currency for the colony.

Coin Production:

• From 1855 to 1926, the Sydney Mint produced gold sovereigns, half-sovereigns, and other denominations of silver coins.
• The coins minted here had a significant impact on the local economy and trade, as well as contributing to the establishment of the Australian currency system.

Architectural Features:

• The building features a distinctive colonnaded facade with Doric columns and ornate detailing.
• The exterior of the building reflects the neoclassical style that Greenway favored in his designs.

Modern Uses:

• The Mint ceased its coin production operations in 1926, and the building went through various uses and renovations.
• In the 21st century, the Mint has been repurposed as a museum, showcasing its historical significance, the history of coin production, and the economic development of Australia.

Heritage Status:

• The Sydney Mint is a heritage-listed building, recognized for its architectural and historical significance.

The Sydney Mint's history reflects the evolution of colonial Sydney, from its early struggles for currency to its establishment as a reliable mint and its subsequent transformation into a museum that preserves the legacy of coin production and its impact on Australian society and economy.

Vaucluse house

            VAUCLUSE  HOUSE

VAUCLUSE House commenced  as a small stone cottage built in 1803 for an Irish Knight, Sir Henry Brown Hayes (1780 -1872).  In 1827 the property was bought by William Charles Wentworth, a gifted but restless lawyer & politician, was one of the most influential Australian Borne Colonists. His achievements included the first European Crossing if the Blue Mountains west if Sydney, in 1813; campaigning for civil rights (such as trial by jury) & co-publishing the Colony's first independent newspaper, "The Australian" in 1824; the formation of Australia's first University (The University Of Sydney) in 1852; & had agitation for Representative Government, achieved in 1856. 

His wife, Sarah (Nee Cox, 1805 - 1880), the daughter of Ex Convicts, worked as A Milliner before her marriage in 1829. Letters show her to have been an astute manager of the house & estate at VAUCLUSE.  

Wentworth, who proposed an hereditary Upper House for the New South Wales Parliament, dreamt of building a family Mansion In The Gothic Revival style of Sydney's Government House to suggest his ancient family lineage. Despite this, Sarah Wentworth suffered social isolation for having borne two of their children  before their marriage. Wentworth's attacks on the "Exclusives" In  Colonial Politics put him at odds with leading colonial families. In addition to this, his own legitimacy, convict mother & Father's near conviction for highway robbery were also known. VAUCLUSE House is very Unresolved in terms of its internal layout, owing to its construction. Over many years for a growing family that was forced to socialise outside of Colonial society. 

VAUCLUSE House was purchased by the State Government In 1911 to provide Public access to the Sydney Harbour Foreshores. By 1912 the ground floor was open to the public. The adjacent Tea rooms were built In the 1920's when VAUCLUSE house became a popular tourist destination. Today 9 hectares (23 acres) of the original 208 hectares(515 acres) estate survives  & VAUCLUSE house is one of Australia's most important intact homesteads with stables, carriage drives, pleasure garden, kitchen garden and service yards. The restoration of gravelled paths, iron fences & planting compliment the house interiors, which are furnished to reflect the Wentworth's Family occupancy from 1827 - 1861

As Vaucluse House is an historic site, care should be take. With floor surfaces, stairways and the low lighting levels. The only exit for the house is the entry point. Exit from the upper floor is from The Main Stairs. 

GROUND FLOOR

1. KITCHEN - The kitchen is at the centre of the large two storey service wing, constructed I. 1829. As In most Colonial houses, the service wing was a separate building to distance the risk of fire from the main house. Here the cook & her staff prepared all the meals for the family, guests and servants. The dresser, food safe & cast Iron cooking range are original 

2. SCULLERY - The Scullery Is Where The Washing Up Was Done. Dirty Water Was Emptied Into The Slop Drain. 

3. DAIRY AND LARDER - The Dairy (For Milk, Butter And Cheese Preparation) And Larder (For Food Storage)  Reflect  The Operation Of Vaucluse House As A Self Sufficient Colonial Estate.

4. CELLARS - The Two Roomed Cellars Were Used a For The Cool Storage Of Good Food & Wine. The Inner Room Retains It's Arched Brick Bins For Bottled Wine While Hooks For Hanging Salted And Cured Meats Survive On The Original Lath & Plaster Ceilings. 

5. HOUSEKEEPERS ROOM - The Housekeeper's Room Was The Centre Of Domestic Operations. The Housekeeper Was Responsible For Linen & The Supervision Of Female Domestic Servants 

6. BUTLER'S PANTRY - The Pantry Was An Office Strategically Located For The Head Of The Household Staff To Oversee Activities In The House & Arrivals At The Property. Here Lamps Were Cleaned, Re Fuelled & Wicks Trimmed; & China, Glass & Silverware Cleaned, Polished &Stored. 

FAMILY HISTORY ROOM - In 1900 This Room Was Used As A Library. Today It Houses An Exhibition Of The Wentworth's Family History.

8. BREAKFAST ROOM - The Breakfast Room Is The Part Of The House Built From 1837 To 1840. Most Large Colonial Houses Had A Second Dining Room For The Informal Family Use. The Decorative  Paint Scheme By The Firm  Lyon, Cottier & Co Dates From The 1880's While The Carved Oak Furniture Was Purchased By Fitzwilliam Wentworth In England Around 1872. 

9. DINING ROOM - The Dining Room Is Hung With Family Portraits In Keeping With The Early 19th Century Practice. The Oak Furniture Belonged To The Wentworth Family. The Fine Gothic Revival Side Drawers & Cupboards Date From 1845, While The Dining Table & Chairs (With Their Embossed Spanish Leather Upholstery) May Have Been Part Of  A Consignment Of Furniture Sent From Europe In 1859. The Floor Of Mid 19th Century Italian Glazed Tiles Is Unusual & Possibly A Concession To The Australian Climate. The Chimney Piece Is Of Marble From Marulan In Southern New South Wales. 

10. LITTLE TEA ROOM - The Little Tea Room's Joinery Suggests That It Was One Of Wentworth's  First Additions To The House After 1828. It Had Been Furnished To Reflect Its Use As A Small Informal Sitting Room To Keep Cool In Summer, In Winter The Rooms Small Size  Ensured It Was Easily Heated. 

11.  THE DRAWING ROOM - The Drawing Room Was Formed Partly Within The Walls If Sir Henry Brown Hayes Original Stone Cottage & Was Completed In1847. The Floral Wallpaper Border Plaster Cornice, Italian Marble Surround & Cast Iron Grated Are All Original. The Drawing Room Was Intended As A Setting For Potential Suitors To Meet The Wentworth Daughters, Owing To Sarah Wentworth's Social Isolation. By 1853 When The Original Contents Were Sold Before The Wentworth Family's Departure For Europe, The Room Contained Brazilian Rosewood With Crimson Damask Upholstery. Today The Room Contains A Collection Of Copies Of Old Master Paintings Acquired By The Wentworth Family In Italy, Including Copies Of Flora & The Titan, A Penitant Magdalerie After Guido Reni And A Madonna & Child After Marillo. 

FIRST FLOOR 

12. SECOND ROOM - The Second Room, As It Was Called In 1853, Was A Private Family Sitting Room. The Fireplace & Grate Are Original. Furniture Has Been Acquired Based In An 1853 Inventory Of The House. 

13. PRINCIPAL BEDROOM - In 1853 The Principal Bedroom Contained A Winged Wardrobe, Chest Of Drawers & Marble Wash Stand. The Four Post Bed Has Been Hung With A Reproduction Of A Glazed Chintz 1860 Known To Have Been Used In Another Gothic Revival House, GreenOaks At Darling Point. The Bed Has The Typical Arrangement Of Three Mattresses Filled With Straw, HorseHair & Feathers. (Bottom To Top) 

14.  FITZWILLIAM'S ROOM IN THE HALL - Vaucluse House Was Left Incomplete In The Mid 1840's &The Large Open Upper Hall Was Partitioned By Cupboards To Create A Bedroom For Wentworth's Second Son, Fitzwilliam. 

SECOND FLOOR 

15. CHILDREN'S ROOM - The Nursery Was Probably Used For The Four Youngest Wentworth Children Aged Between Five & Twelve In 1853. The Room Is Furnished As A Typical Children's Room In The Mid 19th Century With Children's Furniture & Toys the Metal Beds Are Hung With Gauze & Mosquito Nets. 

16. MISS WENTWORTH'S ROOM - Miss Wentworth's Room Was Named After The Eldest Unmarried Wentworth Daughter. In 1853 It Was Shared By Sarah Eleanor & Eliza Sophia Wentworth. 

1803 - Original Cottage Built On The Site By Sir Henry Browne Hayes

1827 - Wentworth Buys The Cottage And Estate. Buys A Further 7 Acres

1853 - Wentworth and Family Leave For Europe

1861 - Family Returns To Renovate House

1873 - Wentworth Dies

1910 - State Government Purchases Property

1915 - Vaucluse House Opens As A PublicMuseum 

1981 - Bought By The Historic Houses Trust

VAUCLUSE 

1. It has convict roots. Former convict Sir Henry Brown acquired two land grants in 1803 - the Laycock & Cardell grants  - & built a house he named "VAUCLUSE" after a locality in Provence

2. William Charles Wentworth was one it's famous sons. The house VAUCLUSE was acquired by Wentworth, who subdivided the estate in 1838. He retained the are punt Parsley Bay, which was dominated by rock (near today's Memorial Church), from which he admired tr view

3. VAUCLUSE house and grounds was acquired by the State Government in 1910. It is now administered by The Historic Houses Trusg. 

4. Macquarie Lighthouse is the site of the longest continuously operating navigational beacon in the country. Built in 1818, it was the first light house in Australia.

5. Set on 5 hectare with 180 degree view, Strickland house is reguarly used as a film set. 

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Sir Henry Kissed - 

Sir Henry Kissed - 

Sir Henry Kissed The Quaker

And What If He Did? 

You Ugly Thing

I’m Sure He Did Not Ate Her 

So Sang The Wags Of Sydney, 

He Was A Naughty Knight, Formally Sheriff Of Cork, Transported For Abducting A Quaker Heiress, But Did Not Behave Like A Convict. 

In 1803 He Created What Was Called a “Rustic Little Paradise” On About 100 Acres Of Crown Land Near Watson’s Bay, Naming His Estate Baucluse

Serpents in his garden. It is played with snakes.

So important for the barrels of genuine Irish pub, and had Irish girl into a trench around his house, bird them on by singing songs and pray to Saint Patrick’s power over vipers. According to the legend.

Henry can Captain John Piper, controllers customs, but his tenancy dispute.

On 27th I’ll talk to you then it’s land to build on Charles went worth.

Building on his beginnings, which she described as a very uncomfortable residence, Wentworth

Building on hazels beginnings, which she described as a very uncomfortable residence, oceans of his dignity.

1910 Hawkins has passed and went with descendants of the kind state Museum,.

Rangehood, including the floor tiles in 40 from Pompeii and the Saltair left there from his electric dining room suite which came from the garage is palace in Venice.