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45-563: Old Sydney Town was an Australian open-air museum and theme park which operated from 1975 until 2003 in Somersby on the New South Wales Central Coast . Once a living tribute to the early years of Sydney 's colonial settlement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it was complete with historical reenactments and authentic construction methods. The site is now used as a location for film and television production. It borders

90-540: A barouche and a landau ". An illustration of the expensive and more rarely seen vehicle, on account of the expense, is shown in a paper by Ed Ratcliffe, citing editor R. W. Chapman's collection of the works of Jane Austen, in the volume Minor Works, as noted in Ratcliffe's sources. In the novels by Jane Austen, "Lady Dalrymple, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, and Henry Crawford owned barouches" in which other characters rode, and Jane Austen herself on at least one occasion in 1813 rode in

135-641: A barouche. Henry Crawford was a character in Mansfield Park and his barouche was the topic of two important scenes of the novel; Lady Dalrymple was in Persuasion , while Mr and Mrs Palmer were characters in Sense and Sensibility . Barouche driving is mentioned as a fashionable pastime in Nice, Italy, in chapter 37 of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott . Chichikov, the main character of Nikolai Gogol 's " Dead Souls ",

180-634: A different time and place and perform everyday household tasks, crafts, and occupations. The goal is to demonstrate older lifestyles and pursuits to modern audiences. Household tasks might include cooking on an open hearth , churning butter , spinning wool and weaving , and farming without modern equipment. Many living museums feature traditional craftsmen at work, such as a blacksmith , pewtersmith , silversmith , weaver , tanner , armorer , cooper , potter , miller , sawyer , cabinet-maker , woodcarver , printer , doctor, and general storekeeper . The North American open-air museum, more commonly called

225-587: A living-history museum, had a different, slightly later origin than the European, and the visitor experience is different. The first was Henry Ford 's Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan (1928), where Ford intended his collection to be "a pocket edition of America". Colonial Williamsburg (opened in 1934), though, had a greater influence on museum development in North America. It influenced such projects through

270-401: A low four-wheeled pleasure carriage for two with a raised seat in front for the driver. A victoria is distinguished from a barouche by having fold-down occasional seating for the rear-facing passengers, instead of permanent seats in that position. A barouche was an expensive four-wheeled, shallow vehicle used in the 19th century with two double seats inside, arranged vis-à-vis , so that

315-503: A place that paid tribute to Australian history. Fox viewed the Somersby site as an ideal location as the rocks, creek and terrain reminded him of early prints of Sydney Cove. Fox and his family spent four years researching the pre- Macquarie period for the site and travelled around Australia looking for artefacts. Robert Irving, a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW)

360-449: A powerful impression of luxury and elegance, the structure of the carriage is heavier than it looks because of the lack of a rigid roof structure. A light barouche was a barouchet or barouchette . A barouche-sociable was described as a cross between a barouche and a victoria . A barouche-landau is mentioned in Emma , published in 1816 by Jane Austen . It "combines the best features of

405-464: A thatcher, blacksmith and shipwright. It was also home to the only mechanical shingle maker in Australia. However, these traditional construction methods struggled with constant contact from visitors and weather, repairs were being needed ‘every three months'. Ultimately, the park would only construct roughly 30 of its planned structures. Two boats were converted to be period replicas for the site; one of

450-422: A three-phase plan for the site that included a renovation of old Sydney Town, an 18-hole golf course, a theme park and a low-rise international hotel. In 1994, The Eastern Seaboard Fires destroyed the site's wheel-making and carriage workshop. Mike Hendrickson, who operated the workshop, said the biggest losses were his tools and a prized horse-drawn double-decker bus they had been rebuilding. The vehicle had been

495-590: The union with Sweden . Most open-air museums concentrate on rural culture. However, since the opening of the first town museum, The Old Town in Aarhus , Denmark , in 1914, town culture has also become a scope of open-air museums. In many cases, new town quarters are being constructed in existing rural culture museums. Living-history museums, including living-farm museums and living museums , are open-air museums where costumed interpreters portray period life in an earlier era. The interpreters act as if they are living in

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540-489: The Australian Reptile Park . Robert Hughes , author of The Fatal Shore called the site "the only theme park in the world devoted to punishment and repression." During its lifetime, the park had 6 million visitors. During the 1960s, Sydney architect Frank Fox harboured aspirations of building Australia's Disneyland . However, upon a visit to Colonial Williamsburg , Fox decided it would be 'beaut' to construct

585-575: The Maharaja of Mysore . Whitlam committed that the Government would invest $ 3.5 million into the site over the next three years. 11,000 visitors attended the event. Daily historical re-enactments included convicts being flogged and thrown in the stocks, pistol duels and a convict rebellion. Before floggings, the soldier's whips were dipped in red dye to give the impression of drawing blood upon impact. Other recreation efforts included soldiers circulating through

630-698: The Nordic Museum in Stockholm , to establish his own open-air museum Skansen , adjacent to the Nordic Museum. Skansen, opened to the public in 1891, was a more ambitious undertaking, including farm buildings from across Sweden , folk costumes, live animals, folk music, and demonstrations of folk crafts. The second open-air museum in the world to open its doors was also in Sweden: Kulturen in Lund in 1892 . In 1894

675-513: The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History ( Norsk Folkemuseum ) was founded in Oslo by Hans Aall , inspired by Skansen. Aall bought a large tract of land adjacent to King Oscar's royal collections, probably with a merger between them in mind. The open-air Norsk Folkemuseum was opened at Bygdøy in 1902. In 1907 the royal collections were incorporated after the death of King Oscar and the dissolution of

720-502: The 1788-1810 period, so it's not Disneyland." Robert Hughes featured Old Sydney Town in his documentary Australia: Beyond the Fatal Shore (2000). The segment gave an insight into the performers of the site and what drew them to the experience. Hughes called the site "the only theme park in the world devoted to punishment and repression." The park permanently closed on 3 January 2003. Warwick Amusement had allegedly lost $ 1.4 million on

765-609: The Australian Reptile Park and local cultural elements to create a significant economic hub. The proposal focuses on diverse attractions such as adventure tourism, cultural showcases, and sustainable living while preserving historical structures to honor its heritage. It promises approximately 1,000 new jobs, 38ha of green space, and a substantial contribution to the local GDP. Plans include eco-friendly designs and pedestrian-friendly spaces to enhance visitor experiences. Public consultations and feedback have been integral in shaping

810-556: The Central Coast formed a committee to re-open the park. In February 2013 the Daily Telegraph reported that the family of Frank Fox (Michael and Peter Fox) were in negotiations with the current leaseholders about reviving the town. In the early hours of 20 February 2014, fire claimed the site's entrance and reception complex, Heritage Hall. A significant collection of artefacts and documentation stored therein were lost. The park

855-533: The Federal Government approved a $ 200,000 loan to the site to allow its operations to continue until after the December Federal Election . This increased the Government's loans to the park to $ 1.9 million. The Whitlam Government expressed concern for the project's management and stated it was "grossly undercapitalised". Negotiations had faltered over Whitlam's previous commitment to invest $ 3.5m into

900-597: The NSW Government advertised the opportunity to lease the site in hopes of developing the site's unused land into an entertainment park and tourist accommodation. During a bid to lease out the site in 1986, the NSW Government revealed the site had bled $ 6 million over the previous 10 years, at a rate of up to $ 800,000 a year. An agreement was finally reached with Warwick Amusements, a subsidiary of Warwick Hotels and Resorts , in 1987 for an 80-year lease. The company would take over operations of Old Sydney Town and outlined

945-673: The Norsemen". He believed that traditional peasant houses should be preserved against modernity, but failed to attract support for the idea. The first major steps towards the creation of open-air museums was taken in Swedish union ruled Norway in 1881, when the Swedish union King Oscar II transferred four historic farm buildings and the stave church from Gol to the royal manor at Bygdøy near Oslo (Christiania) for public viewing. This, in turn, in 1884 and 1885 inspired Artur Hazelius , founder of

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990-458: The Somersby site's dam positioned over Sydney Cove. Efforts were then conducted to reshape the park's terrain to replicate colonial Sydney. Construction of all the site's planned 80 buildings was not intended to be completed by the official opening. The use of historically accurate building techniques was envisaged as a continuing attraction for visitors. At its peak, the park employed a range of specialised tradespeople to maintain authenticity like

1035-427: The attraction. Frank Stewart , Minister for Tourism and Recreation, stated the venture would be "a focal point for recreation and learning about Australia's past". The park began admission on 27 November 1974, before being officially opened on 26 January 1975, by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam . Whitlam and his wife were given a tour of the site and its re-enactments aboard a century-old barouche previously owned by

1080-512: The coachman's high box-seat. A leather roof can be raised to give back-seat passengers some protection from the weather. Barouche is an anglicisation of the German word barutsche , via the Italian baroccio or biroccio and ultimately from the ancient Roman Empire's Latin birotus , "two-wheeled". The name thus became a misnomer , as the later form of the carriage had four wheels. The barouche

1125-474: The collection and re-erection of multiple old buildings at large outdoor sites, usually in settings of recreated landscapes of the past, and often including living history . Such institutions may, therefore, be described as building museums. European open-air museums tended to be sited originally in regions where wooden architecture prevailed, as wooden structures may be translocated without substantial loss of authenticity. Common to all open-air museums, including

1170-534: The continent as Mystic Seaport , Plimoth Patuxet (formerly Plimoth Plantation), and Fortress Louisbourg . The approach to interpretation tends to differentiate the North American from the European model. In Europe, the tendency is to usually focus on the buildings. In North America, many open-air museums include interpreters who dress in period costume and conduct period crafts and everyday work. The living museum is, therefore, viewed as an attempt to recreate to

1215-544: The darker aspects of the American past (e.g., slavery and other forms of injustice). Even before such critiques were published, sites such as Williamsburg and others had begun to add more interpretation of difficult history. Barouche A barouche is a large, open, four-wheeled carriage , both heavy and luxurious, drawn by two horses. It was fashionable throughout the 19th century. Its body provides seats for four passengers, two back-seat passengers vis-à-vis two behind

1260-594: The development proposal, which is currently awaiting approval from the Central Coast Council. Once endorsed, the project will proceed to further public engagement stages as per the NSW Government’s Gateway process. Source: WCTV Official Website The site featured a range of historical buildings, that included but was not limited to: Throughout its life and since closing, the park has been hired for film and television productions. The ABC also used

1305-512: The earliest ones of the 19th century, is the teaching of the history of everyday living by people from all segments of society. The idea of the open-air museum dates to the 1790s. The first proponent of the idea was the Swiss thinker Charles de Bonstetten , and was based on a visit to an exhibit of sculptures of Norwegian peasants in native costumes in the park of Fredensborg Palace in Denmark ,"Valley of

1350-551: The federal government's ownership share and was gifted Frank R Fox's Developments 49% shareholding in the site. During 1979–80, the NSW State Government and The Bank of NSW released Old Sydney Town from loans totalling $ 1.2 million. The site also received a $ 3.5 million secured loan that would not require interest payments until 1986. While the site was losing money, the Bank of NSW and NSW Government believed its financial position

1395-732: The first Brig built in Sydney, the Perseverance and the HMS Lady Nelson (1798) . The Australian Reptile Park , one of the Central Coast's other popular attractions, donated the site a group of grey kangaroos while Taronga Zoo supplied 10 seagulls in the hopes they would start a colony on the site. The Australian Government announced it would purchase a 25.5% equity in Old Sydney Town on 22 April 1974. They joined Frank R. Fox's Developments and Bank of New South Wales (Westpac) as investors in

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1440-508: The fullest extent conditions of a culture , natural environment , or historical period . The objective is immersion, using exhibits so that visitors can experience the specific culture, environment or historical period using the physical senses. Performance and historiographic practices at American living museums have been critiqued in the past several years by scholars in anthropology and theater for creating false senses of authenticity and accuracy, and for neglecting to bear witness to some of

1485-503: The last of its kind. The site remained closed for a week after the fires. In 1995, the Australian Reptile Park negotiated an 80-year lease for land that Old Sydney Town had reserved for a future Golf course. The Reptile Park had outgrown its old property in Wyoming and was looking for a fresh start. The park officially opened in September 1996. In 1998, NSW's Work Safety Authority fined

1530-422: The site $ 35,000 after three workers suffered burns and lacerations in a cannon firing accident. No written safety instructions were given to the actors and they had only been allowed two days to learn the firing procedure. Warwick Amusement purchased the site for $ 2.6 million from the NSW Government in 2000. State MP Arthur Chesterfield-Evans opposed the privatisation and accused Warwick Amusements of running down

1575-528: The site over 3 years. A review of the Government's financial stake in the site by the newly elected Fraser government in March 1976, opted to ask the NSW Wran state government to take over the Government's investment in the project. None of the currently investing parties were willing to give the park more funds and admissions were unable to generate enough income to cover the site's debts. The NSW Government took over

1620-472: The site since the land was purchased outright in 2000. Warwick Amusement partly blamed the park's closure on a lack of youth engagement with the site due to temptations of new technologies. Employees complained about minimal maintenance and lack of marketing. Former MP Barry Cohen , called for an inquiry into the conditions of lease and sale of the site as Warwick Amusement had never progressed with their three-phase development plan. In February 2012 residents of

1665-424: The site to record documentary resources for schools. Open-air museum Open air is "the unconfined atmosphere ... outside buildings". In the loosest sense, an open-air museum is any institution that includes one or more buildings in its collections, including farm museums, historic house museums , and archaeological open-air museums . Mostly, "open-air museum" is applied to a museum that specializes in

1710-428: The site to reduce the sales price. Chesterfield-Evans said "The Government shouldn't have a problem with managing a theme park on Australian history. The National Trust could have done it." Visitors were concerned the park's boats were sinking and thought the buildings were in desperate need of repair. Warwick Amusements general manager, Paul Kiley, defended the site saying "It's meant to be buildings and constructions from

1755-429: The sitters on the front seat face those on the back seat. It has a soft collapsible half-hood folding like a bellows over the back seat and a high outside box seat in front for the driver. The entire carriage is suspended on C springs and leather straps and more recently additional elliptical springs. It is drawn by a pair of horses and was used in the 19th century for display and summer leisure driving. Designed to give

1800-400: The town following London Bobby principles and several staff assumed the roles of colonial figures like Samuel Marsden , Lt. William Dawes and Elizabeth Rafferty. Visitors were invited to partake in feeding farm animals, bullock rides, and interactive classrooms. Visitors could also purchase handmade goods from the tinsmith, leathermaker, potter and the candlestick maker. In November 1975,

1845-507: Was also recruited to head up the site's permanent four-person research team. Irving assigned his 1972 first-year architecture cohort with designing and erecting the site's first buildings as a mandatory component of their studies. The UNSW Student Union Council condemned the Faculty of Architecture's use of unpaid labour for a private commercial enterprise. Old Sydney Town was to be set out according to James Meehan's 1807 map of Sydney. The period

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1890-405: Was based on an earlier style of carriage, the calash or calèche : this was a light carriage with small wheels, inside seats for four passengers, a separate driver's seat and a folding top. A folding calash top was a feature of two other types: the chaise , a two-wheeled carriage for one or two persons, a body hung on leather straps or thorough-braces, usually drawn by one horse; and a victoria ,

1935-555: Was chosen as initial structures from when the first fleet landed (1788) were seen as too temporary in nature and buildings constructed after the Macquarie period would be too costly to recreate. The NSW Department of Lands enlarged Meehan's map of Sydney to 1: 1200 scale, while Adastra Airways was hired to undertake a 1: 1200 (1 inch = 100 ft) photogrammetric mapping of the Old Sydney Town site. The two maps were juxtaposed, with

1980-487: Was slowly improving. During April 1983, the NSW Government approved an emergency interim funding grant to prevent the site's closure. The park was faced with having to immediately fire 27 maintenance and repair staff to reduce operating costs. Following the completion of a management review in August, "serious management deficiencies" were found and the former general manager along with four other staff members resigned. In 1984,

2025-508: Was sold in May 2018 to World Cultural Tourism Village. Proposed plans for the site include tourism, residential and environmental conservation areas alongside a smaller refurbished old Sydney Town. The site was listed by the National Trust of Australia in 2019. The redevelopment of Old Sydney Town aims to transform the site into a modern tourism and residential precinct. This project incorporates

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