Fathers Day here in Australia – so despite various sniffles, we got out, and drove up to Stanley, which is about a 45 minute drive, west of home.
We enjoyed a really lovely lunch in the town, but the main idea of going out to Stanley was to take the baptism font that my parents bought from the Rocky Cape Presbyterian Church, to donate it to the property at Highfield House.
Someone had bought the church where the font originally was given to and converted into a home. Families who had donated items to that church, had the chance to buy them back. A lot of the church furniture was purchased by Highfield, my mother discovered later.
We believe that the first baby baptised in the Highfield House church was my Great Great Grandmother, so it seemed fitting that the font my Pop had donated all those years ago was moved to another place where we had strong family ties.
The lady, Sue, that met us at Highfield was really lovely and was really happy to receive the font. She showed us around a bit and let us go all over the house without charging us an entry fee! (yay)
Highfield was built around 1832-35 as a residence for Edward Curr, chief agent of the Van Diemen’s Land Company.
For those of you that don’t realise, Tasmania was first known as Van Dieman’s Land. The name was changed to Tasmania in 1856.
The Van Diemen’s Land Company had been formed by a group of London-based businessmen. Their proposal was to establish a successful wool growing venture on the island to supply the needs of the British textile industry.
Unfortunately the venture into growing fine merino wool in the area wasn’t a success… it was a tough and unforgiving land, and the sheep never thrived.
The house is quite grand – although built by convicts (pretty much slave labour) much has gone into restoring and upkeep of the property and is open to the public to wander through and experience it.
The sign on the kitchen door made me chuckle tho
Sue pointed out the rounded bricks by the doorway that was created simply by over a hundred years of people brushing by!
What’s a main bedroom without an ensuite??
Our kind of people – digging in the foundations and keeping all the broken crockery!
Scattered though out the house are remnants of times gone by and amazing furniture, maps and photos.
It was great to finally get out and do something with my parents today!
Hope your day is great!
Cheers
Thank you for sharing pictures of history. So beautiful and so much to think about. What a great place you live.
Glad you enjoyed – There is so much of interest around here! 🙂