Denfield

The original inhabitants of the area were mostly people of the Tharawal (sometimes referred to as Dharawal) people, who ranged from the coast to the east, the Georges River in the west, north to Botany Bay and south to Nowra. However Campbelltown was a meeting point with the Dharug language group (whose area extended across the Blue Mountains) and early history of the area includes references to both peoples. With establishment of the convict colony in Sydney in 1788 the displacement of Aboriginal people began. A smallpox epidemic decimated many of the coastal clans, but was less destructive amongst the inland peoples. On 24/7/1991 the Minister for Planning signed an exemption thus not requiring Heritage Council approval for subdivision and residential use of Lot 4 which is to the east of Lot 1. This order was gazetted on 2 August 1991 in the NSW Government Gazette no. 112. They built the two modern outbuildings in 1997 (to the house's north-west, near the pool) and (a southern pavilion, connected to the house). directly to its south, to increase the curtilage around the main house on the south, where the house was very close to the then southern boundary. The property now comprises . Lot 122 was acquired by the Laws so they could control when it would be subdivided, with appropriate development, rather than what was occurring locally at that time by others. == Description ==

Site More than of land across two separate titles with three street frontages. Denfield is located on a prominent knoll on the Appin Road. It is now surrounded to the north, east and south by suburban development with a local service station impinging on views to it from the Appin Road. With increasing width and traffic on Appin Road the RTA has provided separate access. Windows are twelve pane type with louvred shutters and doors six panel type. Simple semi-circular Georgian fanlight to the panelled (fielded) front door. Sandstone used for architraves to main openings and paving to verandah. Verandah is open full length on the western (Appin Road) side, return verandah across the northern end has been filled in with sympathetic painted timber and glazed panels and doors. Fireplaces have Georgian chimney pieces. Windows are twelve pane type with louvred shutters and doors six panel type. Verandah is decorated with a fine scalloped timber valance (AHC). Air conditioning and a wine cellar. ;Outbuildings: There is an existing roofed but open sided walkway running off the rear door of the house linking with an existing single storey original external kitchen structure. Quite separate from the house and kitchen is an in ground swimming pool, wood shed, workshop and carport. There is also a slab hut used as a museum for old implements. There is also a dam/swimming pool and a timber structure used as a garage, workshop and toolshed. A number of other buildings and structures also exist including slab shed, timber structure, workshop, carport, cricket pitch and water tanks that hold of water. Condition As at 24 July 2014, some new fibrous plaster ceilings and cornices, some original timber boarded ceilings and cornices, original cedar joinery, original galvanized corrugated iron roof and water tank sheeting, ogee gutters and round downpipes in parts and intrusive gutters with square downpipes elsewhere, painted timber linings, joinery and decorative timberwork, stone flagging and timber tank stands. Modifications and dates 1964 renovation: A December 1965 article in "Building Ideas" showcased the "sensitive restoration and renovation, installation of electrical service and plumbing which have made Denfield a house for modern living while still preserving its early colonial character." It noted that the original detached kitchen had become a bedroom, with bathroom and laundry added. Where possible original materials were reused, e.g.: sandstock brocks for rebuilding the southern wall and the 6" wide blackbutt boards for flooring drawing room, study and dining rooms. New verandah columns were designed in the spirit of the original period to replace the then existing mid-or late-Victorian columns. The graceful valance board was cut from a template of the original valance, still in position, by decayed beyond use. All walls were stripped and re-plastered, ceilings replaced with Gyprock sheets and plaster cornices. 1991 subdivision was to excise some 2/3 of land of property, to allow for future residential development. The proposed subdivision was not considered to adversely affect the significance of the house and an outbuilding. It was not advertised. == Heritage listing ==

As at 27 February 2007, ''Denfield's'' homestead is assessed as having state and regional heritage significance primarily in regard to its architectural quality, social and historic associations particularly at a regional level and in its setting, garden and collective of buildings. Denfield was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. == See also ==