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The opening on Sunday, August 5, 2018, of one of Macarthur’s oldest mansions, will allow visitors to step back in time to the colonial era when horse and carriages, baking your own bread, milking the cows and sowing the fields were part of your everyday life.

Surrounded by the storied fields of the Macarthur region, first settled in the early 1800s, Wivenhoe was built in 1837 by five-time NSW Premier, Sir Charles Cowper, and named after the English home town his wife, Eliza, left behind when she sailed to her new home in Australia. The Cowpers lived at Wivenhoe for 30 years before moving to London where Sir Charles worked as NSW Agent-General.

The Mediterranean-style mansion and its surrounds are believed to have been designed by architect John Verge who also designed local landmarks such as Camden Park, home of the Macarthur family, and Elizabeth Bay House in Sydney. During their time living there, the Cowpers planted a vineyard, one of the oldest in the colony, and the region is still known for its wineries today. The Wivenhoe Wine cellars extend under the whole of the main building. Featuring, thick, strong walls, the three-metre-high cellars are still today to store wine.

Guided tours of the house will include a look at period photos and artefacts that will help visitors reimagine a bygone era.

When:             Sunday, August 5, 2018
Time:              11am-3pm.
Where:           Wivenhoe, 229 Macquarie Grove Road, Camden in the Macarthur region.
 Cost:               $5 per person. For more information call 4655 7057 or visit www.macarthur.com.au