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Member-only access: Harrisford House
Member-only access: Harrisford House
Where The King’s School held its first lessons, in the early 1830s
About the building
Built between 1823 and 1829 for Reverend William Walker, Harrisford House is one of the oldest houses remaining in the township of Parramatta.
In 1832, Walker leased the two-storey Colonial Georgian building – then only one room deep – to The King’s School. Established the year prior by command of King William IV, The King’s School is Australia’s oldest independent school. Three students attended lessons on the first day, and by the end of the year there were 12 dayboys and 41 boarders, who were accommodated in two cottages adjoining the schoolhouse. Modifications were made to the building during The King’s School’s tenure, including the addition of a schoolroom. By 1836, student numbers had outgrown the building and The King’s School relocated to larger premises. Over the next two decades, three other schools operated in the building, including the Linden House Girls School.
In 1854, the title passed to master mariner and whaler Michael Eury. Following Eury’s death in 1890, John Harris acquired the building and named it Harrisford. He reverted it to a residence and made various changes, including the addition of a cast-iron verandah to the front. After Harris sold the house in 1894, it passed through other hands until 1957, when it was converted to a peanut butter factory and then later used as a motor workshop and office supply warehouse.
The King’s School Old Boys’ Union purchased Harrisford House in 1980 and engaged heritage architect Clive Lucas to restore it to its original Colonial Georgian design – a gift to the school for its sesquicentennial celebration in 1982. The Old Boys’ Union used the building as its office and museum.
Harrisford House is currently occupied by Storey & Gough Lawyers, who took occupation of the premises in 2016. This followed several months of renovation works that made the site fit for purpose as a legal office, while also preserving the heritage character of the site.
In 2019, excavation works on the adjoining site at 180 George Street unearthed historical items, some of which are displayed in the present conference room.
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Talks, tours and more
Built
1823–29
Architect
Original architect: Unknown
Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners
Awards
Royal Australian Institute of Architects Awards – Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage Architecture, 1983
Acknowledgements
The participation of Harrisford House has been made possible thanks to The King’s School Old Boys’ Union and Storey & Gough Lawyers
Member-only access: Harrisford House
182 George Street, Parramatta
Entry details
MHNSW members will have exclusive access to Harrisford House, which is not normally open to the public. This includes access to the Members Garden Lounge
10am–4pm
3.45pm
Talks, tours and more
Need to know
Accessible featuresThe interior is accessed via a single step at the front door and back door. The second level is accessed via an internal staircase. The Members Lounge at the back of the property is wheelchair accessible
Toilets availableAccessible toilets are available
Photography allowed
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