By Kate Lockyer
Historic Newstead House is expected to be reopened in early 2024 with stage one of the $5 million restoration project completed.
The Newstead House Board of Trustees is chaired by Ms Moore, who is joined by Brisbane City Councillor Tracey Davis and Dean Prangley from the Royal Historical Society.
Ms Moore said maintenance and significant structural work on the house has been needed for many years due to wear and tear, and these finally commenced in December 2021, with work being carried out by QBuild.
In the midst of the work, they ran into a hiccup with the discovery of termites in the timber kitchen annex which then also had to be repaired.
The roof has been restored to the traditional slate roof of the 1800s, and the house has been repainted a different colour, a blue that matches houses of Brisbane’s early era.
“It’s been a labour of true skill and love by QBuild, and we’ve been blown away by the real personal interest the team has given to it, they’ve gone over and above,” Ms Moore said.
She said the renovations have recreated the house’s look from the 1860s, when George Harris lived there.
“He was a flamboyant and very wealthy businessman who travelled the world, and he bought the house.”
“It was party centre, and I have these images of people rolling up in their carriages for events with lights everywhere – he was an entertainer.
“The Harris period was a wonderful period for the house and so we are looking at trying to keep close to that period in interpretation.”
Newstead House had over 6,000 historical items, some on display and some stored away in boxes, which will be sorted by the Museum of Brisbane and a team of volunteers before reopening.
Ms Moore said they can’t wait to go back to Newstead House at the end of August to start the work of organising the artifacts to recreate the display.
She said the display will be different because the team wants to make the museum as historically accurate as possible, but iconic items such as the dining table in the heart of the dining room will remain.
“Some items need quite significant restoration as well, such as paintings, so it’s a massive task and will take every second of at least the next six months,” Ms Moore said.
From this project, the board plans to create a fully detailed and resourced maintenance plan to look after the house for years to come.
Ms Moore said the restoration is indebted to Member for McConnel Grace Grace for securing Queensland Government funding.
While they don’t have an official opening date, she said they are aiming to have Newstead House open in time for schools to visit, because the education program is a key role for the house.
Ms Moore’s fondness for the house shines through as she talks about how Newstead House conjures many happy memories for Brisbane people, and she is excited for the re-opening.
“My dream is to sit on the verandah sipping tea with a Victoria sponge,” she said.
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