About the Elizabeth farm site

Elizabeth farm is among the oldest colonial houses in Australia, located in Parramatta, New South Wales, which was constructed in 1793 as a home of John and Elizabeth Macarthur who pioneered the production of wool in Australia. The site provides very useful information about the early settlement of Europeans, development of the wool industry and how the English design was modified to suit the Australian climate. Elizabeth Farm through its maintained gardens and original sandstone walls enables students to learn about the way early settlers lived and formed the colonial history of Australia.

Aboriginal Context

Elizabeth Farm is built on the land that used to be owned by the Burramattagal people of the Darug Nation before colonisation. They were environmentally friendly by living a sustainable life along the Parramatta River where native plants and animals were used as food, shelter and culture. The settlement of Europeans in 1793 disturbed their lifestyle leading to loss of land and connection to Country. This location will make students think about the Aboriginal views and perceive the rich cultural meaning of the land before colonisation.

Historical and Architectural significance

The architecture of Elizabeth Farm demonstrates how the settlers used the English building techniques to adapt them to the Australian climate. Its low-pitched roof, broad verandahs and brick construction relieved the heat of summer. The interior rooms including the kitchen and servants quarters give us an insight into the working life of the convicts and domestic workers who sustained the Macarthur family. This preserved building offers the students a first-hand connection to the life of the 19th century as well as allows the students to imagine the social hierarchy, routine, and craftsmanship of that era.

Educational Value

Elizabeth farm is currently a living museum under Museums of History NSW. The site provides practical activities, which address the NSW History K-6 syllabus, inquiry learning. The students will be able to study artefacts, visit reconstructed rooms and examine the way history influences the Australian identity. Through interaction with the Aboriginal and colonial approaches, the learners will be able to be empathetic, curious and understand continuity and transformation through time.

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