Bronte House-Rear View, 1911
Bronte
House, in Bronte Road, Waverley, was designed by the NSW. Colonial
Architect Mortimer Lewis as his own home, but owing to financial
difficulties he was forced to sell the property to Englishman Robert
Lowe.
Lowe,
a member of the NSW. Legislative Assembly in the 1840's, completed the
home (which stood in 54 acres) in 1845. During his seven years in New
South Wales he entertained many prominent people at Bronte House, which
was described as being built in Swiss style, with light and airy
verandahs. The eastern side had a majestic view of the ocean, while the
western verandah looked over the surrounding valley.
ROBBERY
AT BRONTE HOUSE
In
1847, servant trouble disturbed the Bronte residence of Robert and
Georgiana Lowe. One, William Phillips, was found guilty of insolence and
disobedience for refusing Mrs Lowe's orders to clean two sets of
harness. The defendant claimed the order was an unreasonable one, in
that he was required to clean the harness late at night while sitting up
waiting for Mr Lowe to return from Sydney. The Bench was not impressed
and sentenced Phillips to three weeks imprisonment.
A
more serious crime had occurred the previous year when the overseer's
hut, some distance from the house, was broken into. Articles valued at
15 pounds, including a new set of carriage harness, had been carried
off. The following night, Patrick Wheelan was apprehended on his way to
dispose of the stolen goods. Wheelan, an ex-convict recently a servant
in the Lowe's employ, was committed to trial in September 1846, found
guilty, and sentenced to be worked in irons for two years.
On
Lowe's return to England the house was sold and, in the hands of J.B.
Holdsworth, several important alterations were made, including a
two-storey addition on the south wing. Holdsworth died in 1875, but his
sons carried on the estate until 1882 when it was subdivided.
Over
the following years Bronte House was used as a private residence and as
a guest house, until in 1948 it was bought by Waverley Council. For some
years it was also used as a reception centre. Waverley Council, with the
assistance of a grant from The Heritage Commission, has now allocated
funds for a compete restoration.
Published
by Waverley Municipal Library in association with Heritage Week, 1981. |