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Price Morris was an emancipist/farmer who took up the 50 acre grant of the property in 1837. In the 1830’s the area became the home of prominent Welsh Methodist settlers and the Price Morris cottage the centre for Methodist meetings and worship. A Methodist church was built, used and still remains in St. Albans but as the generations changed and parishioners grew older the use of the cottage as a meeting place re-occurred until the late 1960’s. In one of the generations there were seven Preachers one of whom was the grandfather of the late Sir Allen Walker, founder of the Central Methodist Mission. From 1837 – 1967 the farm produced fruit and vegetables for the burgeoning Sydney markets as well as pigs and calves for the meat market. Since that time cattle have grazed the property and farming restricted to growing improved pasture or winter feed. Despite the ravages of time, floods and drought occupancy of the farm has remained continuously in the Morris family for 167 years. Our vision is to preserve, but use, our newly restored timber 1837 model farming homestead for friendly stays. The well sighted original cottage took 8 years to build and 2 years to restore to make it comfortable and a home once again. Lovingly ‘helped back to health’ the vertical slab, wattle and daub cottage with its calico ceilings under a shingle roof has been brought back to life and given its rightful and prominent place in Australia’s history within the Macdonald Valley and its community. The cottage is self-contained and has a long northern verandah overlooking the farm. Catching the early morning winter sunlight and cooling afternoon summer shade invokes thoughts of a ‘cuppa’ a cool drink or a wine, allowing. time to relax and let the mind wander. As was traditional in the 1800’s a breezeway separated the fully-functional kitchen from the sleeping quarters and so it remains today. Each room has a story to tell of the original old style construction through display “windows” protected by glass, showing these construction methods of a bygone era. Selected antiques and furnishings highlighting the Morris generations residing on the farm, grace the parlour and bedrooms including ‘shearers’ single beds, an iron double 4-poster and queen-size brass bed. Rooms are twin-share i.e.2 x 2 shearers 3’ beds, a family room with a double bed and adjoining room with 2 x 2 deluxe shearers 3’ beds and a bedroom containing a queen size bed. (8 persons in total)) A separate building, (the washroom), contains shower, vanity and toilet. Conversion of the dairy and construction of a small additional adjoining building created the washroom and the “loo with a view” as we call it, a far cry from early Australian ‘conveniences’. The ideal would be to book the whole house with friends or relatives, relax and share the uniqueness of this NSW heritage listed cottage and the surrounding and beautiful Hawkesbury sandstone escarpment with its green eucalypt enhancement. At night, gaze in awe at the enormous sky splashing a majestic Milky Way white cloud of a million points of light that seem to have no beginning and no end and the moon a perfect silver sixpence against a backdrop of endless darkness, uninterrupted by external light The kangaroos too share this part of the world, yet so close to the CBD- only 2-2 ½ hours from Sydney, Newcastle or Gosford. More things to do: maybe, bird watching, bush walking, bring your bike, go for a ride, play tennis, visit the St. Albans Gallery or just spend time lazing around taking in the ambience of the Macdonald Valley – these pleasures all right on your door-step Available a few kilometres to the south is fishing, boating, and golf; to the north is the pristine Yengo National Park, Wollombi and the wine country of the Hunter Valley, each within a one day round trip. A bushwalk up The Great North Road 1km north of Wisemans Ferry offers outstanding views of the meeting of the Hawkesbury & Macdonald Rivers and the surrounding Dharug National Park. Built by convicts, The Great North Road is a masterpiece of colonial engineering - relics of stone retaining walls, wharves, culverts, bridges and buttresses can still be seen along its entire length - a historical milestone of our past. Tariffs
Self-Catering Continental breakfast included in tariff. Breakfast basket by request (ask about our prices). The kitchen is fully equipped with hot water service, LPG gas stove with oven, electric jug, toaster, microwave, refrigerator, radio and open log fire. For other meals guests may self cater, using own supplies. (Kitchen must be left clean and tidy at all times with consideration for other guests.) Dining Out The following restaurants/eateries are within walking distance of Price Morris cottage: The Settlers Arms Hotel, 1 Wharf Road, The Fickle Wombat, Restaurant/Gifts, Or within 2kms Jabarah’s Lakeside Restaurant, Settlers Rd, St Albans. Bookings Bookings accepted by using: Cheque made payable to: J Stepto T/A Price Morris Cottage (2 weeks in advance) Telephone/Fax: (02) 4568-2121 Email: bookings@pricemorris.com.au
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No Warranty Given. You should seek your own independent advice as to the accuracy of the information supplied. |
