Newcastle Government House

The earliest European use of the site was the Commandant's Residence (also known as Government House) where the Commandant, Lieutenant Charles Menzies controlled the penal settlement. The site has remained in Government management since European occupation from 1804 to the present day. A sketch by Ferdinand Bauer (1804) shows the flagstaff and the only small house on the area. The same location is also shown in artworks by Joseph Lycett, Walter Preston and Edward Close and these are particularly significant because they show Newcastle's Government House and gardens. Bauer's sketch also shows tents on the hillside of the site. The site is also figures significantly on the Macquarie Chest being depicted on one of its panels.[1]

The first attempt at settlement in Newcastle failed in 1802[2] and the settlement, also known as "Kings Town" and "Coal River" was re-established in 1804, providing hard labour for re-offending convicts following the Irish rebellion at Vinegar Hill. The second settlement (1804) was prompted because of the prospect of coal as a vital resource for the Colony.[3] After Newcastle was established as a penal settlement, it remained under Colonial administration until 1823. After this time free settlers were introduced into the settlement. Convicts sent to Newcastle endured harsh living standards, intense manual labour in the coal mines and were under constant surveillance.[2][1]

After 1823, most of the convicts were transferred to Port Macquarie, however many prisoners remained in Newcastle until 1855 to carry out public works projects such as the construction of Macquarie Pier and other works. Convict labour was used to build the pier, beginning in 1818 and this work was not completed until 1846. The military were stationed at the military barracks site to manage and supervise the work of the convicts. Furthermore, the association between the former military barracks buildings and the port initiative (the pier) is of significance to capital works programs of the Colonial Government, convictism and early technology in Australia. The employment of convicts to construct Macquarie Pier was in the economic interest of the Colony and this site was significant in supporting this progress. Having started in 1814 with a small population of approximately 100 convicts and guards, but it would become the major penal settlement of the Australian colonies, accommodating up to one thousand convicts.[4][1]

Newcastle is the birthplace of Australia's coal mining industry and the first modern coal mining undertaken in the Southern Hemisphere.[5] Coal mining in Newcastle provided the first profit ever made in the fledgling Colony of New South Wales of - 2 pounds, 5 shillings - in 1801. Convict labour was used to work mines located at Colliers Point (these were horizontal drifts) and on the hillside near Government House, the first working vertical shaft sunk for the production of coal in Australia (on the current James Fletcher Hospital site). One of the coal shafts is named the Wallis shaft, after the Commandant of Newcastle at the time. The site is also associated with Benjamin Grainger who was sent to Newcastle in 1812 to assist in coal mining in the area, later becoming Superintendent of the coal mines, in 1820. The military was present in the settlement to manage the convict population and to supervise work in the mines and the construction of the Macquarie Pier.[1]

Mining on the site was primitive and labour-intensive with loads of coal initially brought to the surface in baskets. A small rail system for haulage was used to take coal to the port directly downhill from the mine site to be loaded onto ships for export. Much of the export went around the world, and was often traded for rum. The transport of coal to the port forged a thoroughfare which then became the main street of the township, George Street (now known as Watt Street). The Commandant had his residence in a prominent place at the top of this street where he was able to view what was happening in the settlement, including work at Collier's Point and Nobbys Island.[1]

The Commandant's residence was both a place of authority and a convict work place. Convicts worked on the site until the Australian Agricultural Company took over mining in Newcastle. There is evidence of intensive early mining practises on the cliff opposite the site's entrance. The two convict coal mines on the James Fletcher Hospital site were later referred to as the "Asylum Shafts". The Wallis shaft is thought to have been excavated between 1814 and 1817.[6] Twenty seven men were described as employed in the working of the mine and the mouth of the shaft immediately adjoined the offices of the Commandant's House.[7] After these mines became disused there was very little reference made to them during the 1800s. It was not until the 1900s that a mine subsidence report provided more detail about the existence of the convict mines,.[8][1]

In the 1940s Jonathon Dixon carried out research on the site and attempted to locate the position of the first convict coal shaft by surveying an early map.[9] Dr B W Champion (1949) also supports Dixon's location of the convict coal mine, adding that it was sunk approximately 20 yards inside the Mental Hospital gates.[10] Further subsidence within the hospital grounds in 1943 revealed a convict mine shaft. This shaft is thought to be the Wallis Shaft and was described as being "inside the gates of the hospital".[11] Dixon argues that the subsidence revealed both the position of the old convict mine shaft and the position of the Commandant's House or Government House.[12] Evidence of the shaft was later covered up and is not obvious today, although it is reported to be under the roadway of the main road leading into the hospital. The position of the former Wallis Shaft inside the asylum entrance is shown on a plan by the Colonial Architect James Barnet in 1880.[13][1]

Lachlan Macquarie on his tour to the northern settlements in 1821 stated in his journal that he stayed at Government House in Newcastle, finding it very comfortable.[14] Macquarie made several visits to the Newcastle and in 1812 he stated "...immediately on my landing respecting the inspection of the settlement, I went with Mrs. M. & c. to view the coal mines...".[15] The future of the coal mining industry was important to Governor Macquarie as is shown in his laying of the foundation stone to build the Macquarie Pier in 1818. This was a major colonial public works project, undertaken to join the mainland with Nobbys Island and establish a safe port entrance to facilitate the coal export trade. Newcastle's commercial coal mines were integral to Governor Macquarie's plan to promote the Colony as self-supporting.[1]

During Governor Macquarie's visit to Newcastle in 1818 he recorded that he was entertained by Jack Burigon, King of the Newcastle tribe along with about forty men, women and children who performed a "Carauberie" (corroboree) in the area at the rear of the Newcastle Government House. There are numerous colonial artworks showing Aboriginal occupation in and around the Government House site and as well as Corroborees.[16][1]

The Newcastle Government House and Domain contains the original site of the Church of England parsonage erected in 1819 and home to Reverend George Augustus Middleton, Newcastle's first chaplain.[17] Governor Macquarie noted that the parsonage was a "neat brick-built, stuccoed, one-storied parsonage house with a verandah and all necessary out-offices, and also a kitchen garden and grazing paddock attached thereto, both enclosed with a paling".[18] Part of the original parsonage remains and this adds to the significance of the site.[1]

In the 1830s part of the land granted to the Church of England as a glebe was returned to the Government for building a new military barracks.[19] Reception House and Kirkwood House have recently been demolished in June 2008 to make way for the construction of a new 20-bed mental Health facility. Reception House was a direct and tangible link to the convict-built parsonage and nearby Christ Church Cathedral buildings and a significant purpose-designed mental health facility which marked an innovation in mental health care. Kirkwood House was designed by the prominent local architect James Henderson. It was a two-storey annexe to the parsonage. Architect Frederick Menkens supervised a later skillion addition. Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon kept some of the original fabric of the old parsonage in the structure of the new additions to Kirkwood House.[1]

From the 1830s there was an increase of military protection of Newcastle in order to protect its coal resources and hence the colony's economy.[4] The Governor visited Newcastle to lay foundation stone for the new barracks on the hill near the parsonage house in 1836.[20] Lieutenant Colonel George Barney, recently arrived from England was appointed Colonial Engineer in 1836. One of Barney's first tasks was to report on steps that needed to be taken in order to protect the colony from attacks by foreign vessels and he recommended that batteries and blockhouses be constructed in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Port Macquarie and Port Phillip.[21] The first projects undertaken by Barney were for the construction of new barracks at Paddington in Sydney (Victoria Barracks) and Newcastle.[4][1]

The Newcastle Military Barracks were completed earlier than the Victoria Barracks. A convict chain gang in Newcastle was employed to build the foundations for the officers quarters and soldiers barracks in 1838, as well as to create the military parade ground.[22] Excavation of the hillside by convict iron gang took place in 1842 so that outbuildings could be constructed.[23] Governor Gipps proposed reducing troop numbers at the barracks as convict transportation to the colony was coming to an end.[24] Further reducing the need for a strong military presence in Newcastle was the relocation of the remaining prisoners in 1848. Only 1000 troops were to remain in New South Wales to protect the colony. In June 1848 and the 99th regiment left Newcastle.[25] However later in 1848 some convicts returned to Newcastle to build public works accompanied by a military guard which was accommodated in the new barracks.[26][1]

The barracks remained in use for civil service accommodation until 1867 when it became the Girls' Industrial School and later the Reformatory for Girls. On 13 September 1817, the New South Wales government established its first "Lunatic Asylum for Imbeciles and Idiots" at this site.[31][32]

Newcastle was the fourth main government-run asylum to be opened in New South Wales, the others located at Tarban Creek, Parramatta, the first being at Castle Hill, which later become a gaol.[33] A common theme throughout the life of the asylum was community dissatisfaction with having such an institution located in the centre of the city. When an asylum was first suggested, the residents of Newcastle were so opposed to the plan that they held a public meeting which consisted of 400 Newcastle residents at the Newcastle Court House.[34][1] On 4 December 1866 the Colonial Secretary's Office notified the Bench of Magistrates in Newcastle that the proposed plan would not go ahead.[35] When it was suggested for a second time, a Newcastle newspaper, the Chronicle stated that it was dangerous to have insane people living in such close proximity to residents. It claimed that the use of the former barracks for this purpose was wasting valuable real estate.[36][1]

Frederick Manning was the Inspector General of the Insane and oversaw all lunatic asylums in New South Wales; he is credited with implementing many improvements to the site and with the introduction of moral therapy, believing that young imbeciles and idiots should be kept apart from the older insane people.[37] Manning's decision to separate the imbelices and idiots required extra space, at a time when overall patient numbers were increasing, due in part to the effects of the 1890s depression. Manning had intended to have the younger patients housed on a separate site, but the government's funding was limited during the depressin so additional wards were constructed. The first of these additional wards was constructed in 1892 and accommodated 24 girls at the northern end of the asylum grounds, behind the court house.[38][39][1]

In 1916, the facility was renamed the Newcastle Mental Hospital. A visit from the Deputy Inspector General of Mental Hospitals in 1918 found the newer wards of a high standard but determined that the older buildings were in poor condition. Such problems were addressed during the mid to late 1920s, and included improvements in bathroom facilities, the removal of single rooms in the women's section to create a spacious dining and day room and the creation of a larger space in the men's division by removing two of the single rooms.[1]

In 1962, the hospital was renamed Newcastle Psychiatric Centre. In 1965, the Shortland Clinic was built to serve outpatients, a model copied at other hospitals such as Royal North Shore Hospital. In 1983 the name of the hospital changed to Hunter Hospital and in 1989 the name was again changed to be named the James Fletcher Hospital after James Fletcher, an important figure in Newcastle during the late 19th Century. Fletcher was responsible for improving the conditions of miners. An example of this was his establishment of the Australian Agricultural Company's sick and accident fund.[40][41][1]

Fletcher Park was formally known as Lower Reserve and Ordinance Park. Its use as a public park was promoted in 1878 after Frederick Cane the Superintendant of the Asylum for Imbeciles had undertaken to make the park more attractive by planting ornamental shrubs and trees.[42] The park was originally the site of Government House and its flagstaff and is identifiable in many colonial artworks. There were numerous outbuildings to Government House and an artwork completed in 1820 (artist unknown) shows these as well as a path to the left of the building leading uphill. There are numerous other works showing the early area.[43][1]

Two convict coal mines exist on the current hospital grounds, one is approximately 20–25 metres inside the main Watt Street entrance, named Asylum Coal Shaft No. 1. This shaft has been filled and sealed. Asylum Coal Shaft No.2 is in the courtyard behind the former military hospital, south west corner of the site; it is capped but not filled.[44] Both of these shafts are connected to horizontal workings at the coal seam below and to drainage adits running to the nearby seaside cliffs. They are well hidden and have been covered over, but not built on. One adit is visible in the cliff at Newcastle South beach (hand-hewn); it is a horizontal shaft and has been cut into the rock face of the cliff, in an ovoid shape. The adit is located about 5 metres above the ground and approximately 1.5m tall x 0.5 m wide at the top and 0.75 m wide at the bottom. The cliff where the adit is located is cracked, and fenced off. It is unknown where the adit leads; however it does go west towards the nominated site and possibly is linked with the known vertical shafts (asylum shafts). The adit drains water from the mine by gravity, it would appear from the outside that the adit has minimal obstructions and often has water draining from it.[1]

The site has archaeological potential for finding information relating to colonial mining techniques.[1]

The front of the original building was demolished in the mid 1800s for the realignment of Church Street; however a significant portion of the parsonage was retained when additions were made to Reception House by Architect Walter Vernon. The parsonage (recently Kirkwood House/Reception House) was demolished in 2008 and an archeological excavation took place in March 2009. Remains of the old parsonage (1819) were found, including sections of wall, a cellar and other relics as evidence of the convict period. The size of the remains (foundations) is approximately 12x10 metres. The convict brickwork (floor/foundations) was in excellent condition (for its age), and represents building methods and techniques used in the convict era.[1]

The hospital is a walled site within an excavated quarry. The wall has enclosed the buildings on the site since the military buildings were first constructed in 1842. With exception of the northern boundary, the south, east and west sides all have walls. Originally built as a retaining wall for the excavated site, then it was later retained for privacy for patients of the mental institution.[1]

The integrity of the compound wall is better in some sections than others. Sections of the compound wall were damaged in the June 2007 floods. The foundation of the inside wall appears to be built from sandstone. The wall runs from north to south and is relatively intact. However much of the upper sections of the wall built from brick have collapsed and are in need of repair.[1]

The walls were constructed from brickwork dated at different periods, and the significant sections of the stone wall in the lower sections of the compound wall may relate to the 1830s when the site was quarried using convict labour. There is high archaeological potential, given that the site was "prepared" for construction of the barracks using convict labour.[1]

The landscape of the current hospital grounds shows an exposed quarried landform on the south side, approximately 20 metres high. The exposed rock has eroded somewhat due to environmental conditions; however this landscape remains a noticeable and strong feature of the site, the quarried section that formed a wall runs the full length of the southern boundary. A large expanse of the grounds was levelled to build the military barracks and parade ground. The topography was originally a gentle slope from the ocean cliffs towards what is known today as "The Hill". The area is relatively underdeveloped compared with the surrounding area of the city of Newcastle.[1]

As there has been minimal disturbance, there is high potential that archaeological relics may be found.[1]

The parade ground remains an open parkland and grassy area that has not been hindered or interrupted with significant development (except in the case of the Shortland Clinic, which although is not built directly on the oval, does detract visually from the openness of the former military establishment). Significant vistas remain across all areas of the site because the recreation ground is in the centre of the collection of buildings.[1]

This park is situated directly across the road (Watt Street) from the current James Fletcher Hospital, on the east side of the precinct. The park is bounded by a fence on the seaside and there is a steep cliff drop off. In 2005 it was landscaped by Newcastle City Council and has a path running through the middle of the park. There is also a statue of MJames Fletcher that stands predominantly on the uphill slope, facing down to the city.[1]

The park is reasonably well-maintained by Newcastle City Council; much of the open space has remained undisturbed, with the exception of the garden beds on the west side (Watt Street), which were replaced in 2005. This work may have disturbed archaeological remains of the former Newcastle Government House (also known as Commandant's Residence) that existed on the site. Archaeological potential is high in this area.[1]

The Thwaites building, Tara Lodge and the former Shortland Clinic building do not contribute to the heritage of the site. However Gate House (c. 1842) is a significant heritage building related to the military phase of the hospital and contributes greatly to other building on the site, but is not part of the heritage listing. However the former military barracks, military hospital and James Fletcher statue are included in the heritage listing.[1]

• Old Convict Mine Shaft Revealed: Subsidence at Mental Hospital. 1943.
• Bigge, J. T. (1822). Report of the Commissioner of Inquiry into the State of New South Wales.
• Branaghan, D.F. (1972). Geology and Coal mining in the Hunter Valley 1791-1861.
• Champion (1949). Early Coal Mining in Newcastle.
• Delaney, J (2004). Vinegar Hill to Coal River: the Irish rebellion and the settlement of Newcastle, NSW 1804.
• Eklund, J (20 August 2004). "Coal Mines Confirmed As First In Southern Hemisphere". Archived from the original on 24 April 2005. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
• Garton, Stephen (1988). Medicine and Madness: A Social History of Insanity in New South Wales 1880-1940.
• Goold, W.J. (1949). Watt Street and its historical associations.
• Hardy, Ann (2005). Government House: Newcastle, NSW.
• Hunter, C. (2001). "Coal River Tourism Project: Coal River Historic Site (stage one). Historical Analysis of Sites & Related Historical & Cultural Infrastructure".
• Carr, John (2005). Conservation Management Plan for the James Fletcher Hospital site.
• Macquarie, Lachlan (1979). Lachlan Macquarie Governor of New South Wales, Journals of His Tours in New South Wales and Van Diemen?s Land 1810-1822.
• NSW Department of Commerce (1984). Newcastle Reformatory School for Females (1869-1871) / Biloela Reformatory School For Females (1871-1880) Shaftesbury Reformatory (1880-1904).
• O'Donnell (ed) (1969). The History of Early Newcastle 1800-1870.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
• Rosen, Sue and Associates Heritage Assessment and History (HAAH) (2008). Review of Items of Potential State Significance in the Newcastle City Area,.
• Scanlon (1985). Chimney Sucking up air.
• Silver, Lynette (1983). The Battle of Vinegar Hill.
• Turner, J.W., ed. (1973). Newcastle as a Convict Settlement: The Evidence Before J.T. Bigge in 1819-1821.
• Suters Architects Snell; Newcastle (N.S.W.). Council (1997), Newcastle archaeological management plan, Newcastle City Council

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This Wikipedia article was originally based on Newcastle Government House and Domain, entry number 1841 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2020 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 21 January 2020.