THREE stunning heritage properties in Ipswich, the oldest provincial city in the state, will open their doors to the public on May 13.
The National Trust, through its Ipswich branch and in partnership with the owners, is providing a rare opportunity to go behind the doors of three private residences, including one that has been painstakingly restored over two decades by its owners, retired GP John Jackson and his wife Helen.
Their double-storey home, Booval House, is a rare Queensland example of Colonial Georgian architecture, situated on the remaining acreage of a large farm established in the 1850s on the outskirts of Ipswich.
Booval’s construction is believed to have started in 1856 and taken three years. In 1859, governor George Bowen visited the house on the way to Ipswich when it was in the running to become Queensland’s capital. After “taking refreshment” and changing attire at Booval House, he was escorted on his journey by several carriages and 400 to 500 residents on horseback.
Gradually the farm was subdivided, and in 1921 Archbishop Duhig bought Booval House and the remaining 2.5 acres for 900 pounds. The local Catholic Church established a school and Booval House became a convent in 1931.
The Jacksons bought the property nearly 20 years ago after it had remained empty for 17 years.
“It is a very peaceful home to live in. Whether that is because it was a convent for over 60 years or just the ambience of the house. we don’t know,” Dr Jackson said.
“It is a huge privilege to live in such an historic home, and to have been able to save it for future generations. We love it.”
Dr Jackson will give introductory talks on Booval every half hour and there will also be talks in the chapel about some of Ipswich’s lost buildings.
Originally the top floor of the chapel was four nuns cells (as their rooms were then called) but the Jacksons have made the top floor into an open-plan living area.
The ground floor has been retained as a chapel and there will be displays of historic photos there on the day.
There will also be a display of Dr Jackson’s collection of horse-drawn vehicles, including an unusual cabriolet, along with light snacks and coffee for sale and free wine tastings.
The two other houses open on May 13 are Pen Y Llechwedd, designed by architect George Brockwell Gill for the daughter and son-in-law of leather goods merchant and Ipswich alderman and mayor Joseph Goleby, and Knockmoyra, designed in the late 1880s by architect John Farrelly for Irish draper John Gilmore.
All three houses will be open from 10am-4pm, with entry $5 for each.
