Buckland Convalescent Home

Indigenous history Reports of numerous bushfires in the Blue Mountains in the 1820s is seen as evidence of Aboriginal presence in the area. Recent studies have revealed evidence of occupation back some 14,000 years. and it is said that he compiled a list of the native flora of the place, as well as introducing many exotics. A dam was constructed in the lower portion of the land and water was pumped up to a reservoir on Hawkesbury Road from which the extensive gardens were watered. Sir Henry Parkes' son Varney designed Silva Plana. The Frazer Memorial Church (opened 1895) in Springwood is a striking example of his (and broader) Victorian philanthropy, financed entirely from his and his widow, Elizabeth's generosity. Frazer died in 1884. Mrs Frazer sent her gardener from Silva Plana to lay out the grounds and plant the trees around this church, the first in Springwood of any denomination. == Description ==

;Landscape Setting: The "Building" article of July 12, 1935 (vol.56, no.335) – the second of two consecutive editions devoted to hospitals and similar institutions being built at that time) describing this hospital included: being apparent in the earlier photographs. Matron Rothery's diaries quite fastidiously note the plants which were purchased from time to time, including shrubs, vegetable seeds etc. Much of the planting appears to have been an accumulation of popular ornamentals and exotics of the time, and the vegetable garden was located to the north of buildings where there was good sunlight. Modifications and dates • 1935–36 – hospital built • 1971 – Directors sold five residential blocks fronting Patterson Road to supplement income. • 1987 – new nursing home approved • 2003 – new 60 bed nursing home approved • 2006 – new Dining Room attached to a recent building known as Donald Coburn Lodge == Heritage listing ==

As at 20 September 2012, the Buckland Convalescent Hospital is of a high level of significance due to its close association with a notable philanthropist in Sir Thomas Buckland. It is also of heritage value by virtue of its design as a seemingly seminal example of a totally "private" roomed establishment, and for its adaptation of the "Georgian"/Colonial Revival style to institutional buildings. It has historically been closely associated with the community of Blue Mountains town of Springwood, and now forms the centrepiece of Buckland Village, an aged care facility and community of some 420 people. '''The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history.''' The Buckland Convalescent Hospital is inextricably and eponymously associated with Sir Thomas Buckland who established and endowed the Hospital. Sir Thomas was a notable pastoralist, mining executive, businessman, philanthropist and chairman of Pitt Son and Badgery, the Bank of New South Wales (1922–1937), the United Insurance Co. Ltd and director of the Permanent Trustee Co. of NSW (from 1935). He took a vital interest in the place. It was designed by a firm of architects of which his son, Harold Buckland was a principal, and his daughter, Beatrice was the first patient. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. It would appear that the Buckland Convalescent Hospital is an early example of a "nursing home" that accommodated a single patient per room. == See also ==