New Inn, Richmond

The lower Hawkesbury was home to the Dharug people. The proximity to the Nepean River and South Creek qualifies it as a key area for food resources for indigenous groups.[2] The Dharug and Darkinjung people called the river Deerubbin and it was a vital source of food and transport.[3][1]

Governor Arthur Phillip explored the local area in search of suitable agricultural land in 1789 and discovered and named the Hawkesbury River after Baron Hawkesbury. This region played a significant role in the early development of the colony with European settlers established here by 1794. Situated on fertile floodplains and well known for its abundant agriculture, Green Hills (as it was originally called) supported the colony through desperate times. However, frequent flooding meant that the farmers along the riverbanks were often ruined.[1]

Governor Lachlan Macquarie replaced Governor Bligh, taking up duty on 1 January 1810. Under his influence the colony prospered. His vision was for a free community, working in conjunction with the penal colony. He implemented an unrivalled public works program, completing 265 public buildings, establishing new public amenities and improving existing services such as roads. Under his leadership Hawkesbury district thrived. He visited the district on his first tour and recorded in his journal on 6 December 1810: "After dinner I chrestened the new townships...I gave the name of Windsor to the town intended to be erected in the district of the Green Hills...the township in the Richmond district I have named Richmond..." the district reminded Macquarie of those towns in England, whilst Castlereagh, Pitt Town and Wilberforce were named after English statesmen. These are often referred to as Macquarie's Five Towns. Their localities, chiefly Windsor and Richmond, became more permanent with streets, town square and public buildings.[1]

The earliest plan layout of this building conforms to Governor Macquarie's criteria for early housing in the Macquarie Towns (above the level of, and because of, the Hawkesbury River's irregular floods).[4][1]

The building was built in a number of stages. The date of initial construction is unknown. Initially a four-room structure with a front verandah, it was expanded in the 1830s to include an additional three rooms to the south and a rear kitchen.[1][5]

It was licensed as the "New Inn" under Robert Potts from 1837 until 1839. It later operated as a store and private residence.[1][5]

It was saved from demolition in the 1980s, and incorporated into a motel development, the "New Inn Motel" in 1995. It now serves as a manager's residence for the motel at the rear of the property.[6][1]

• Edds, Graham (personal communication, 23/12/2010) (2010). NSW's earliest houses - email string via NSW Heritage Advisers.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Edds, Graham (1990). Conservation Management Plan.
• Hawkesbury City Council (2001). Statement of Heritage Impact - The New Inn Motel.
• Mottram, Gillian (2002). Delegated Decision for Principal Heritage Officer's Signature.
• Nichols, Michelle (Local Studies Librarian) (2010). Macquarie & the Hawkesbury District (in Calendar).

This Wikipedia article was originally based on Building, outbuildings, grounds, trees, entry number 753 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 13 October 2018.