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Carrick Hill
Historic property in Springfield, South Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Carrick Hill is a historic property located in Springfield at the base of the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Built in 1939 as the home of Edward and Ursula Hayward, the house is designed in the style of an English manor and contains a large collection of artworks, antiques, and original furnishings. It is notable for being one of the few period homes in Australia to retain both its grounds and contents largely intact.[1] The property was bequeathed to the state of South Australia after Edward's death in 1983. Since 1985, it has been managed by the Carrick Hill Trust, a statutory body reporting to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.[2]
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History
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Ursula Barr Smith was a daughter of Tom Elder Barr Smith, a wealthy pastoralist and businessman, while Edward Hayward was a son of Arthur Hayward, chairman and managing director of John Martin's, a prominent Adelaide department store. Edward resided in Kent Town, and Ursula at "Birksgate" at Glen Osmond. They married in 1935 and were given the Carrick Hill property, of approximately 40 hectares (99 acres), as a wedding gift by Ursula's father.[1]
During their one-year honeymoon in Europe, the Haywards learned that sections of a 16th-century mansion on the Beaudesert Estate, Staffordshire, England, were being made available for sale because it was about to be destroyed.[3] They bought several architectural items and furniture pieces, including a grand staircase, which were brought to Adelaide and incorporated into the design of Carrick Hill. The home was built in the form of an English manor and had a combination of antiques and contemporary furniture. Ursula Hayward also designed the gardens during the construction phase.[1][4] The building was completed in 1939 and occupied by the Haywards. Carrick Hill became known for its collection of paintings by artists such as Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, and Paul Gauguin. The property was also the venue for frequent social gatherings and hosted many of the top cultural figures.[4] The library, whose collection expressed the Haywards' interests in a number of fields, was damaged by fire in 1958 but was ultimately reconstructed. From 1960 onwards, the pair frequently used the library as a casual restaurant and relaxation space.[4]
In 1970, the Haywards arranged for Carrick Hill and its contents to be bequeathed to the South Australian government. Ursula died that same year, and following Edward's death in 1983, the house, grounds, and art collection formally passed to the state. The government opened Carrick Hill to the public in 1985 for exhibitions, events, and garden access.[3][4] It was entered into the South Australian Heritage Register as a State Heritage Place on 14 August 1986.[5] That same year, Queen Elizabeth II visited Carrick Hill during her official tour of South Australia.[6]
The Carrick Hill Trust was established under the Carrick Hill Trust Act 1985 to manage the property. It initially reported to Arts South Australia and, from 2018, to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.[2] Over the years, Carrick Hill has hosted various public events and exhibitions, including a 2005 reunion for former John Martin's staff,[7] a major Jacob Epstein exhibition in 2008,[8] and themed programs such as the Year of the Pearl in 2016, which marked 30 years since opening to the public.[9] In 2018, it featured an exhibition focused on May Gibbs and botanical-themed art.[10]
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Design and features
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Carrick Hill is considered one of Australia's most complete period homes.[4] During the Haywards' honeymoon in England, they purchased architectural features and furnishings from the demolished Tudor mansion Beaudesert Hall in Staffordshire.[11] Carrick Hill was built between 1937 and 1939 and was often visited by artists, performers, and other public figures.[4]
The house was designed by James Irwin of Woods Bagot Laybourne-Smith & Irwin in the Elizabethan style and built by Fricker Brothers. It is constructed with Basket Range sandstone and set within landscaped gardens. The house incorporates a staircase, fireplace, oak panelling, windows, and furniture from Beaudesert Hall, dating back to the 16th century.[11] The interior features include an ante hall with sword displays, the Waterloo staircase, and a dining room with British oak panelling and antique furniture. Ursula added items such as William Morris fabrics, Lalique glass light fittings, and various decorative objects. Though the design reflects an earlier period, the house included modern features for its time, including art deco tiling, heated towel rails, and a full glass shower.[4]
Several rooms at Carrick Hill were used for specific purposes. The library contained books related to the Haywards’ interests and was damaged by fire in 1958 but later restored. The drawing room was used for events and private performances. The morning room served as a space for managing the household and for needlework. In 1970, the Haywards decided to leave the house and its contents to the South Australian government. After Ursula's death later that year, Carrick Hill was transferred to state ownership in 1985 and opened to the public. It now hosts exhibitions, public events, and garden activities, including a children’s storybook trail.[4]
The surrounding gardens incorporated elements of the Edwardian Arts and Crafts movement. A portion of the garden follows this style, using formal layouts, hedging, and plantings suited to the hillside location. The western terraces, framed by two large elm trees, offer a view over Adelaide and towards the ocean, consistent with the original intent to integrate the house with its landscape.[12]
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Collections
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Carrick Hill has a collection of 20th-century Australian art compiled by Edward and Ursula Hayward.[14] The Haywards acquired many of thepaintings while traveling in Europe and in their support of Australian contemporary artists. By the time Carrick Hill was bequeathed to the State of South Australia in 1970, the collection held works by artists such as Streeton, Russell Drysdale, Hans Heysen, William Dobell, and Ivor Hele.[15] The collection attests to the Haywards' continuedengagement with the world of Australian art.[16]
There are a number of paintings by William Dobell, including a portrait of Joshua Smith which was partly destroyed by fire in 1958.[16] Some of these paintings by Dobell were already reproduced in Present Day Art in Australia (1946).[15] There are also paintings by George Lambert, Emanuel Phillips Fox, Horace Trenerry, Gwendoline Barringer, and Marjorie Gwynne. They were obtained by both official purchases and personal contact with the artists.[15]
Besides art, several of the interior features of the house were brought from Beaudesert.[17] Some of these features include architectural items such as staircases, fireplaces, oak panelling, and furniture. The Carrick Hill collection also consists of works of Adrian Feint, who was a close friend to the Haywards. Thecollection contains three of his paintings: a 1945 still life of hibiscus blossoms, a 1958 oil painting of the garden, and a still-life study.[18]
Australian Museum of Gardening
The Carrick Hill Trust established the Australian Museum of Gardening in the former stable buildings. It features static displays on the history of gardening over the past 250 years. The collection includes over a thousand gardening books and tools, developed in collaboration with the Australian Garden History Society. It covers the use of lawns and the development of gardening tools and plants in Australia. Items from Richard Bird of Armidale,[19] New South Wales, collected from Australia and the United Kingdom, are also part of the display.[20] The exhibition was curated by former director Richard Heathcote[21] and received a Highly Commended recognition in the Interpretation Australia National Awards for Excellence in 2021.[22]
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Gallery
Main entrance
Busts
Waterloo staircase
Aerial view of Carrick Hill
Garden
Bedroom
References
Bibliography
External links
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