Martindale Hall
| Martindale Hall | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Town or city | Near Mintaro, South Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°56′16″S 138°43′46″E / 33.9378°S 138.7294°E |
| Construction started | 1877[1] |
| Completed | 1879[2] |
| Cost | $72,000[2] |
| Client | Edmond Bowman |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Ebenezer Gregg |
| Engineer | Edward John Woods |
Martindale Hall is a Georgian style mansion near Mintaro, South Australia which appeared in the film Picnic at Hanging Rock.[3] The architect was Ebenezer Gregg of London, the chief supervisor was Adelaide architect Edward John Woods and the builder was R. Huckson, who completed the work in 1880.[4] Due to the specialist nature of the work involved, 50 of the 60 tradesmen were brought from England, and they returned when it was completed.[1][2]
It was built for a wealthy bachelor pastoralist, Edmund Bowman Jr (1855–1921). However, debt and drought soon forced the Bowmans to sell all their holdings.[3] William Tennant Mortlock (son of William Ranson Mortlock) bought Martindale Hall in 1892. His son, John Andrew Tennant Mortlock, developed Martindale Station and built up an impressive collection of artwork which was displayed at the Hall.[1] The Mortlock Family bequeathed Martindale Hall and the estate to the University of Adelaide in 1965.[2] Martindale Hall along with 19 hectares (47 acres)* of grounds were later handed to the South Australian Government by the University in 1986.
From 1991 to late 2014, the property was managed under lease as a tourism enterprise, offering heritage accommodation, weddings and other functions, and access to the grounds and Hall to day visitors. Martindale Hall and grounds are currently open to the public, seven days a week from 11am-4pm, as a day visitor site and museum.
The property is managed by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, which in August 2015 received an unsolicited bid for the purchase or long-term lease of Martindale Hall.[5][6]
References
- ^ a b c "Martindale Hall Revisited: Clare Valley". Postcards. Retrieved 20 January 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Martindale Hall South Australian History". Retrieved 20 January 2009.
- ^ a b "Martindale Hall website". Retrieved 20 January 2009.
- ^ "Mr. E. Bowman's Mansion at Martindale". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 16 December 1880. p. 6. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^ Health retreat proposal for historic Martindale Hall InDaily, 5 August 2015. Accessed 12 August 2015.
- ^ Martindale Hall Unsolicited Proposal National Parks SA, 5 August 2015. Accessed 12 August 2015.