Lowlands Homestead

Values

· The place has aesthetic value as a homestead complex, comprising three single storey residences of similar form, material and style.
· The place has the ability to reveal information about construction techniques.
· The place has associations with the development of the Serpentine area from the 1830s.
· The place has associations with Thomas Peel, John Wellard and A. R. Richardson, each of whom were responsible for the different stages of construction of the place dating from the 1830s.
· The place has been used as a residence since the 1830s.
· The place is only one of two known places associated with the Peel family in the region.

Physical Description

The place comprises three residences which have been joined by breezeways and verandahs. The original house is of pug-clay (adobe?) construction with a high pitched roof and broken back verandah roof, which are both of CGI construction. The two later houses are constructed of brick in a similar style to the original with hipped CGI roofs. One of the original barns also exists on the site. The barn is of brick construction with a CGI roof.

History

‘The property was originally owned by Thomas Peel and known as Serpentine Farm which he gave as a gift to his son Tom. The original portion of the house – at the rear of the later house – was built by Peel in the 1830s – a pug-clay hut known as Peel Hut. The original barn was then built in the early 1840s. In 1859, when Peel went bankrupt, the property was sold to John Wellard. Wellard started to extend the homestead by extending the original barn, building a brick two-storey bunkhouse and stable and second residence but died before the work was completed. Many Ticket-of-Leave men were employed at Lowlands who were responsible for much of the building at this time, including the making of the bricks. About 1874, Lowlands was purchased by A. R. Richardson, Wellard’s son-in-law, who changed the name to Lowlands. Wellard was also a well-known political figure in both the Legislative Council and MLA, and as Minister for Lands (1894-1897). Extensive additions were made to the homestead by Richardson, who built the larger (third) residence in the 1890s for his large family. Richardson also increased the holding from 5000 acres to 10 000 acres. In 1932, after the death of Richardson, the estate was divided between the two sons, Rupert and Lennox, each receiving 5000 acres with Lennox owning the half upon which the homestead was built. Lennox Richardson’s family used Peel’s original cottage as a schoolroom.’

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.