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Barwon Grange

Location 25 Fernleigh Street, NEWTOWN VIC 3220 - Property No B1061 File Number B1061 Level State

[1/5] B1061 Barwon Grange Newtown [2/5] B1061 Barwon Grange Newtown [3/5] B1061 Barwon Grange House [4/5] B1061 Barwon Grange House [5/5] B1061 Barwon Grange House

Statement of Significance

Barwon Grange, the single storey gothic style villa situated on the northern bank of the Barwon River, was erected in 1856 for Jonathan Porter O'Brien, a merchant shipowner. This brick house of 6 rooms and attic was occupied by a succession of distinguished tenants from 1858-1867, when John Haines, formerly of Mamre Station, near Colac, was owner/occupier. A detached kitchen building was added in 1871.

Barwon Grange is a notable early Victorian villa designed in the appropriate and characteristic picturesque gothic mode of the 1850'. The house is important for its decorative roofline with fretted gable bargeboards, wooden finials and attic dormers. Elegant fenestration and joinery, and a most unsual timber verandah which incorporates a decorative balustrade above the roofline over an ornamental valence and coupled posts, establish the original and distinguished nature of this design. The architect for this villa is unknown.

Barwon Grange has been meticulously restored by the National Trust of Austrialia (Victoria) and is maintained in an excellent, near original condition. The detached kitchen building and other outbuildings have been demolished.

Classified 18/04/1963