barnet

What a very handsome building it was / is. James Barnet architect. BUT . . . It seems a lot of the images in State Records NSW Archive are mistakenly labelled as "Gladesville" when they are Callan Park. Rather large Ooops! eg - Most of this list is wrong (I think, but my knowledge of asylums is like that of court houses, police stations, and prisons - very limited!) - investigator.records.nsw.gov.au/asp/photosearch/search.as... .

History and info at Historic Houses Trust -

Contemporary view from same angle - [http://www.flickr.com/photos/8481360@N04/2444402325/]

beachcomber australia Thanks for this info, the photos would have come to us labelled that way...possibly because at one stage Callan Park was "managed as a branch of Gladesville Hospital" - see Advanced Search -> Agency (Agency Number = 69) I'll pass your comment and links along. AB

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection Everyone, including (or especially) Government Departments, makes missteaks! It would be great to get these very interesting, high quality, and rather beautiful photos better known, especially with the new lease of life Callan Park or Kirkbride is experiencing as the Sydney College of the Arts. The HHT Open Day on 6/11/10 (see link above) might be a good place to start. Having spent time finding out about the place, I would love to have a snoop around. Field Trip anyone? Unfortunately I am 400 kms away...

Hmmm ... where's this? Hyde Park Barracks?

Yes! - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park_Barracks,_Sydney. "From 1887 to 1979 law courts and government offices were based at the Barracks." Previous to these plans, from 1848-1886 it was "a place for the friendless female" - www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/friendlessfe...

" ... Shortly after 1 o'clock Mr. Clarke [the Minister for Justice] left his office, for the purpose of inspecting the new additions and alterations at the Hyde Park Barracks. The only portion of the work Which is now nearly completed is that connected with the new offices for the Examiner of Patents, the City Coroner, and the Inspector of Weights and Measures. These offices hare been constructed in the line of buildings adjoining the Immigration Depot, and formally known as the Sheds, and used as barracks for the unemployed some time ago. The change which has been wrought is very striking', and the work done is exceedingly creditable to those who have had it in hand. As one enters the premises the first offices to be seen are those which will be used tor tho Examiner of Patents. The first is the Examiner's prívate room, with a small waiting-room adjoining. Then there is a public room, and a room for exhibiting inventions adjoining those first mentioned. After the Patents Office will be the Coroner's Court room, and the various rooms for the jury, clerks, and the Coroner himself. These offices will, no doubt, bo found very convenient for their purpose ; and the Coroner's Court, which is provided with a dais for tho Coroner, and also jury and clerks' boxes, & c., already present an excellent appearance The offices east of the Coroner's private room are to be used by the Inspector of Weights and Measures. Mr. Clarke inspected tho whole of the premises in a very careful manner, and expressed himself well satisfied with the progress which has been made. The new structure now being built at the rear of the Immigration Depot for the Equity Court-room has been begun, and various alterations are now in process of being made in connection with the new offices of the Curator, Master in Lunacy, and other departments. Mr. Clarke hopes that the Coroner's Court and other offices thereto adjoining, will be ready for use by the beginning of next month, but it is hardly likely that the Equity Court and offices in the main building will be ready for occupation before the month of November. ... "

From SMH 18/8/1887 p.8, col.3 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13659113

that plan appears to be signed by James Barnet.

See also ...

Date 1885-1888 1885 - after the completion of Elliot Brothers warehouse (seen here in the distance to the rhs), built 1884-85...ran between O'Connell and Bligh Sts... 1888 - before the construction of the Southern extension to the Lands Office (1888-92)