MOUNT NAPIER HOMESTEAD
LocationHarmans Road GAZETTE, Southern Grampians Shire Google Maps and Google StreetviewFor further details, contact the local council or go to Planning Schemes Online.Level of SignificanceStage 2 study complete |
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Statement of Significance
The Mount Napier squatting run on the Eumerella River about twenty kilometres south-east of Hamilton and
six kilometres from Mount Napier was taken up in 1840. The homestead complex has significant
associations, firstly with the Scottish pioneering Brown brothers, John and Thomas who built the original
stone houses and stables and then with John Matheson from 1862. The latter was the son of a Scottish
crofter who became the first general manager of the Bank of Victoria, a position he held until retirement in
1881. The Brown brothers and Matheson were Overstraiters from Van Diemen's Land. The estate was not
subdivided after Matheson's death in 1882 nor under the Closer Settlement Scheme but was sold in 1911 to
Melbourne interests who did subdivide the land. The original vernacular stone buildings of Mount Napier
Homestead survive from the first years of settlement of the property. Their primitive construction
technique, their scale and disposition are particularly notable. The present house dates from about 1906 and
is one of the finer homesteads from that period in the area. The garden dates from the same period. The
original buildings are substantially intact and are in fair condition. The present homestead retains a high
degree of integrity and is in excellent condition.
How is it significant?
Mount Napier Homestead Complex is of historical and architectural significance to the shire of southern
Grampians.
Why is it significant?
Mount Napier Homestead Complex is of historical significance as one of the earliest established in the
Hamilton district, for its associations with the Overstraiters, John and Thomas Brown of Hobart Town who
were influential in early Hamilton, and for the period of its ownership by John Matheson, another
Overstraiter who, although only the son of a Scottish crofter, became the first general manager of the Bank
of Victoria. Mount Napier Homestead is of architectural significance as a modest example from the
Federation period, with certain unusual planning and construction details, which is enhanced by its garden setting.
Description
The early outbuildings are in fair condition. The present homestead is in excellent condition and retains a high degree of integrity. The garden is also in excellent condition and retains a high degree of integrity.
The Mount Napier Homestead complex comprises several very old outbuildings, a turn of the century homestead which replaced the original and an extensive garden with many mature exotic trees and a gazebo. The outbuildings are single storey stone with corrugated iron roofs over timber shingles. One at the rear of the present house, formerly used as stables and coach house, has trellis windows, ledge and brace doors and retains the stalls and paving within. Another some distance form the present house, with small glazed windows and a low ledge and brace door appears to have been used as a kitchen with the fireplaces and oven remaining. These outbuildings almost certainly date from the 1840s. The present homestead appears to date from the early twentieth century from its materials, detailing and plan. It is conservative and might be best described as a bungalow in a style transitional between late Victorian and Arts and Crafts. Certainly the plain red brick walls and corbelled chimneys are an honest use of materials. The facade is asymmetrical with a projecting room with a boxed bay window on the left side and a simple timber verandah on the right. The plan is of interest because it incorporates a large living room, effectively a 'hall', which opens onto the garden from a large porch creating an alternative garden facade. The interiors of the house, comprising a complete range of rooms, are simple but well finished and survive with a very high degree of integrity and in excellent condition. There is a timber gazebo in the garden. The garden is typical of the Edwardian period with an extensive lawn in front of the house, a shrubbery, hedges enclosing the space and a row of mature Quercus robur (English Oak) associated with the outbuildings behind the house. Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies Continuing as a pastoral property high degree of intactness Thomas Brown, first lease holder
3.5 Developing primary production
3.5.1 Grazing stock
Theme 5: Working
5.8 Working on the land
John Brown, first lease holder
Thomas Brown Sr., second lease holder
Henry Phillips, third and fifth lease holder
John Hyde de la Hunt, fourth lease holder and owner of pre-emptive right
John Mooney, second owner
Joseph Matheson, third owner
Matheson, William and Joseph, sons of John Matheson, owners
Archibald Simpson, manager
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