Experiment
Farm Cottage is located at 9 Ruse Street, Harris
Park. This is the site
of the first land grant in
Australia, made in 1789 by Governor Phillip to the former convict James Ruse. The cottage is one of Australia’s
oldest surviving buildings. Experiment Farm Cottage was built in the 1830s. Experiment Farm Cottage is colonial Indian style bungalow
which was built by
Surgeon John Harris.
This
house is living museum and provides insight into the life and achievements of
ex-convict and farmer, James Ruse.
In 1782, James Ruse was sentenced to prison for theft. He
was transported to NSW in the First Fleet. When his prison term expired in July
1789 and he was allowed to settle as a farmer. On 21 November 1789 James Ruse
made history by occupying one and a half acre land on the hillside – which is
now called Harris Park. By 1791 Ruse
had successfully farmed the 30 acres and could feed his family.
In October 1793
Surgeon John Harris purchased the land from James Ruse for £40. John
Harris already owned the adjacent property. John Harris divided his time between being a surgeon and a farmer. John Harris lived in the cottage till his death in 1838.
The property stayed in the Harris family until 1921.
In 1961, The
National Trust of Australia (NSW) purchased the Experiment Farm. This was the
first NSW National Trust–owned property.
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