History of the Newcastle Government House and Barracks Historic Site (formerly James Fletcher Hospital Newcastle) Part 2 “On the REAL ‘St Trinians’ of Newcastle”
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On a recent trip to newcastle I had time to examine the retaining walls of the Barracks precinct. I was amazed to see the rubble core walls with their burnt lime mortar and ashlar lining, apparently dating back to the start of building work in 1836.
I am not aware of any other convict construction sites in NSW where such construction methods are so easily observed, or survive, for that matter.
I am also aware that reconstruction of the walls are about to start, after their damage in the 2007 storms. The report makes no mention of any attempt to salvage or save the walls.
Is there any proposal to save them as part of the historic precinct, or is the rebuilding part of the systemic historic demolition of the site?
Dear Chris, thanks for your comment, yes we believe that the wall was convict built around the same time that the site was prepared to build the military buildings (1830s-40s). Apparently there are a number of Government Dept’s involved in assessing the damage and planning for it to be repaired to make it safe. We do not have access to heritage/archeological reports, I am not certain how much of the wall and original fabric will be retained- I will try to find out ! The site (including the wall) should be on the State Heritage Register (SHR) and as much as possible retained. The SHR nomination that was submitted in June recommended that the entire site be listed because of archeological relics such as the wall, as well as the convict mines and undergroundwater tank.