Gledswood
900 Camden Valley Way
Catherine Field, NSW.
Lot 12, DP 748303
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| Gledswood Homestead built by James Chisholm with the rose gardens and formal front lawn (1997 Camden Images) |
History and Description
Gledswood estate was developed by James Chisholm c.1830.
James Chisholm developed a English style farm landscape
suitable for a gentleman farmer with park,
pleasure grounds, garden and vineyard following the aesthetic principles of
landscape design.
The original grant to Gabriel Louis Marie Huon de Kerilleau
in 1810 of 400 acres by Governor Macquarie was called Buckingham. He used
convict labour to build a small cottage on the grant. He sold the property to
James Chisholm in 1816 and renamed the property Gledswood. Chishold made additional
purchases of land.
The homestead was built by James Chisholm c.1830 on land
granted in 1829 following the form of an Indian bungalow. The homestead was renovated
in the 1870s, to include the Gothic verandas and porches; the kitchen has been
separated forming a courtyard.
The house has a long stone flagged front veranda on the
north side with two gables breaking the eavesline and marking the entrances. Decorative features include bargeboards in a
rustic pattern, shuttered french doors and a front door with fanlight and side lights.
The walls are rendered brick. (SHI)
In the centre of the property is a selection of Georgian
farm buildings. Amongst the outbuildings there is the kitchen has been
separated from the house and forms the courtyard. (SHI)
Chisholm commenced his vineyard in 1830 and in 1847 Chisholm
brought out German vinedressers to work the vineyard.
There is a large colonial formal Victorian garden area with typical
19th century ornamental plantings with signature plantings of tall Bunya pines that
create a landmark.
The formal front garden and lawn has many vines and shrubs
typical of 19th century landscapes. Close to the house is ‘wild’ hedgerow and pepper
trees popular. The eastern garden is set
out in a gardenesque style with an adjacent beds of roses. (SHI)
Winding paths link these drives and extend the shrubbery
thickly planted with photinias, plumbago, lonicera, cypress, oleander, duranta
and other rarer plants, toward the south. (Aust Htge Places Inv)
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| Gledswood Homestead built in 1830 by James Chisholm with the assistance of convict labour with the formal front lawn (John Kooyman 1997 Camden Images) |
Condition and Use
The current use of the property is as a tourist complex, private residence, and golf
course housing estate. (SHI)
The garden has been only partially maintained and
restoration work is urgently required. However the garden is largely unaltered
in design although new plant material has been introduced. (AHPI)
Heritage Significance
Gledswood is an early
19th century farm estate that has close associations with the Camden area which
is the birthplace of the Australian wool industry. Built by James Chisholm in c.1830,
Gledswood remained the Chisholm family residence for 90 years. (SHI)
The property has a historically significant Victorian
colonial garden featuring: a curving carriage way, period style timber
gates, use of native and particular exotic plants which reflect the influence
of the horticultural societies. The gardens provide an aesthetically pleasing
landscape in a typical English style. (Aust
Htge Places Inv)
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| Gledswood Farm Outbuildings dating from the early colonial period under the ownership of James Chisholm (John Kooyman 1998 Camden Images) |
Heritage Listing
Camden LGA Heritage Inventory ID 81
State Heritage Inventory
NSW ID 5051540
Register of the National Estate ID 3252
