An open day on May 5 at Moyne Farm will give John Grant's descendants, locals with family connections and visitors the opportunity of a lifetime to view its regeneration after nearly 200 years.
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The homestead at Little Hartley is one of the oldest buildings still standing west of the Blue Mountains.
It was built by Irish ex-convict John Grant working with five assigned convict servants on an 1820 grant of land in the Vale of Clywdd.
The homestead has been recently renovated by the current owners, the Di Falco family, to show to great effect many of the features of the original 1822 slab cottage over which the homestead has been built.
Additionally, under National Trust guidance, thanks to a grant from NSW Government's Heritage Near Me Program, a major refurbishment has just been completed of the 1826 cemetery located on a high knoll near the house, including fencing of yellow box posts and stringybark rails by Damien Howard a local heritage wood worker.
Gates open at 10am to 4pm.
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Formal proceedings commencing at 11am include guest speaker Paul Brunton OAM FAHA Emeritus Curator at the National Library and Jacqueline Grant author of the newly republished third edition of Providence The Life and Times of John Grant.
Throughout the day a presentation with details of the restorations will run in the shearing shed and you can view the house and admire its transformation into a comfortable modern home, while preserving its heritage character.
A large number of descendants of John Grant will have travelled from the Canowindra area, where he had extensive land holdings, for the re-dedication of the cemetery at 2pm, as well as his employees' descendants, and locals whose ancestors are buried in he cemetery. Irish music and song, crafts and wearing of costumes will enhance the mood of the day.
Morning tea, lunch, tea and coffee available for purchase by the Hartley Rural Fire Service.
Tickets are selling fast so book now.
Bookings are essential at Trybooking.com 'Moyne Farm' for a nominal contribution of $10, children free, to defray costs of running the event and a commemorative booklet handed to everyone who comes on the day.