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Unearthing Parramatta’s Colonial History
Some of Parramatta’s untold history has been unearthed in Sydney’s west. It depicts what colonial history was like in early Australia. Hidden deep under layers of dirt, was preserved piece of Parramatta’s colonial history, which was not discovered until excavation began for a new hotel as part of the Crown Group. Below is an extract from an article published on the Crown Group website dated 11th December 2017 which gives quite a bit of detail on the site and how the Crown has established a great exhibition to protect the history and allow anyone to go and explore it. Previously hidden underground, the remains of an 1800s convict hut and…
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Exploring the Old Parramatta Lunatic Asylum
Founded in 1847, the Lunatic Asylum was purpose built for Invalid Convicts who were coming into Australia. It remained largely a female institution until 1852, and by 1855 with the introduction of males, there were approximately 187 male patients and 92 female. Over the years from 1855, the increase maxed to capacity the facility then housing around 675 males to 384 females by 1885. Most patients were declared criminally insane, and soon after the Criminal Lunatic Act was passed in 1861, work started on a new ward to accommodate them. There was much criticism to the treatment of patients in these new wards which resulted in many of them being…
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Have You Ever Walked Through Parramatta Park in NSW?
If you didn’t know already, Parramatta Park is full of some of Australia’s oldest colonial historical buildings. From the old government house, Wisteria House and an old dairy farm, an hour stroll through the park and you will discover many historical buildings left over from a period in time, which as both dark and enlightening for varying reasons. In October 2019, I booked myself and partner in for a Halloween ghost tour of the old government house after I happened across an online article which detailed how haunted the house was. I love exploring old historical buildings, especially from the colonial period in Australia. But I particularly love it when…
