The parcel of land on which Lydham Hall stands was part of the original 1200 acres of land granted to James Chandler which was named Bexley. Chandler's agricultural ventures were not successful and eventually the property was mortgaged, subdivided and sold. On 1 November 1859, wealthy master butcher, Joseph Davis bought 67 acres of Chandler's original grant. Davis used the property for resting and fattening cattle before slaughtering them in his Arncliffe slaughter-house on land in Arncliffe he purchased six months earlier. Davis engaged local Swedish stonemasons, the Benson brothers, to construct a house on the highest point of the estate to have sweeping views of
Botany Bay. The house was built "sometime between 1872 and 1879 with its completion and opening taking place between 10 June 1878 and 10 June 1879 or very shortly afterwards". the newly-weds and Christina settled in Lydham Hill, paying "a very small rent". Lydham Hall is the only house in Australia open to the public where Christina Stead lived. and was opened on 20 February 1971 to the public as a museum. The purchase and museum opening were part of the Rockdale Municipality centenary celebration. The establishment of the museum and its collection became the longest social project that combined the efforts of the local residents, the local council and the St George Historical Society. == Description ==