Elizabeth Bay House

So another house on the tour pass was Elizabeth Bay House.  This house was built between 1835-1839 for Alexander Macleay, a Colonial Secretary of NSW, and his wife Eliza and their 6 daughters.  He had 54 acres in Elizabeth. He developed a garden, which was celebrated for its botanical interest & dramatic use of the Sydney Harbour setting.

Front of the house.

Elizabeth Bay House is a superb example of Australia colonial architecture, best known for its central elliptical saloon with domed later and geometric staircase. Apparently the house's facade is severe because it is incomplete due to a severe economic depress in the 1840s and major financial distress. In 1844 Alexander's eldest son, William Sharp Macleay stepped in to save his father from bankruptcy, taking over his extensive debts but forcing him in the process to leave Elizabeth Bay House and move in with one of his married daughters.   

Grand staircase

Detail under stairs

Elliptical ceiling and dome

Master bedroom

View from the master bedroom

Morning room where daytime activities of the women occurred.

Ornate detail

Depiction of what the house should have looked like if completed

Chandelier 

Drawing room--I think.

Breakfast room

Massive doorways and frames.  And all that wallpaper!!!

Dining Room

Library

Both Alexander and William were passionate insect collects.  The collections they had were presented to the University of Sydney with an endowment for the Macleay Museum.  This library still smelled of formaldehyde and had some of the insects and cabinets from the Museum.

Overall this was a pretty cool place, but obviously never ended up as grand as it was supposed to.  Also Alexander's son, William, was a prick for kicking his father out and living in this mansion by himself.

Hope you enjoyed this post!

xoxo, Ann and Aram