Grossmann & Brough House - National Trust of Australia NSW

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Grossmann & Brough House - National Trust of Australia NSW

Grossmann House was built in 1870-71 by the merchant Isaac Beckett. It adjoins Brough House, built as a mirror image by Beckett’s business partner, Samuel Owen.

The buildings are thought to have been designed by local architect William White. It is interesting to note that the main entrance to each residence is originally located on opposing sides rather than at the front, to give a degree of privacy for the owners – although the two families shared a common laundry. Maitland at that time was Australia’s largest inland town, and the commercial heart of th

e prosperous Hunter Region. Beckett and Owen arrived from England in 1838, and quickly diversified their High Street business to become ‘General Merchants, Tailors and Woolbrokers, Wine, Spirit and To***co Merchants’. Between 1892 and 1963, the building housed Maitland Girls’ High School, one of the first four public high schools established in New South Wales. Some changes were made to the property to accommodate the School, but in recent years the National Trust has restored the house to reflect the status and era of its Victorian owners. Gas lighting has been re-installed, and wallpapers recreated from surviving fragments. Servants’ bells and a Butler’s Pantry are reminiscent of the daily workings of a prosperous Victorian household. Characteristic furnishings, sourced as far as possible from the region, complete the experience.

23/06/2026

Just a glimpse of what we have in store for when Jane Richens' exhibition " Call & Response " takes centre stage in the Cecily Mitchell Gallery at Brough House from July 4.

The culmination of Jane's Artist in Residence at Brough House, the exhibition will give us a fascinating insight into her focus on our 1870 property.
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The exhibition will run from Friday / Saturday / Sunday 10.00-3.00 until August 2, with a ticketed Artist Talk on Saturday July 18, 2.00-4.00 .

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/artist-in-residence-talk-jane-richens-tickets-1990835778405?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

19/06/2026

Passers by will have noticed Grossmann shrouded in scaffolding for the last week.

Certainly gave us a unique look for Maitland Heritage Fest!

The front balcony is getting some much needed work as can be seen from the pile of old decking on the ground. Quite a complicated job as all the iron work has to be taken off to start the process.

Looking forward to seeing the results - hopefully by the start of Jane Richen's AIR exhibition - July 4, AND our Christmas in July festivities on the 12th.

16/06/2026

What a day we had on Sunday!

Everyone turned out for the Maitland Heritage Fest Family Day, and came to see us too.

Lots of families, and visitors from Sydney too, and locals of course, all interested in what happens at our historic property.

We are so lucky that we have 2 houses to show off.

Our well dressed guides showed 90 people through Grossmann House for a little slice of how life was in the 1870s in Church Street, Maitland.

Over 200 people came through Brough House and saw the Creative, Collaborative exhibition in the Gallery, the Museum displays downstairs and experience textiles upstairs in the Fibre Makers Space.

Refreshments were in hot demand all day, with the added attraction of the musical entertainment in the garden.

Our volunteers are amazing - working as one to give our visitors a memorable experience of our very special National Trust property.

And a special shout out to the Maitland Heritage Fest organisers who bring this day to town. It gets better and bigger every year.

09/06/2026

Come join us this Sunday, June 14!

Our guides are ready to welcome you to our 1870 Grossmann House for the Maitland Heritage Fest on Sunday 10.00-3.00pm.

You will learn fascinating insights into life in an 1870 townhouse built by well to do merchant Isaac Beckett, for a discounted $5.00 - so don't miss that opportunity.

Grossmann's twin, Brough House, built by business partner Samuel Owens, will also be open.

Fabulous exhibition of Fibre arts and bespoke wearables, all for sale, will be in the gallery downstairs.

Upstairs, in the Fibre Makers Space, you can chat with artisans as well as have a go on the Saori community loom.

Enjoy delicious home made refreshments while relaxing in the garden, and your day will be complete.

01/06/2026

Well, the Model has left the building!!

Our AIR model is being readied at home, to return fully clothed for Jane's AIR exhibition starting on July 4.

After Open Studios in the Fibre Makers Space since March, Jane is now getting her work completed for the culminating exhibition to be held in the Cecily Mitchell Gallery downstairs at Brough House at weekends from July 4 - August 2.

Call & Response, the title of Jane's residency and exhibition, is a unique take on the Grossmann Collection, the property and the local area. Using multi-disciplinary methods and her impressive knowledge of eco systems, Jane is responding to a little painting in the Collection of the daughter of Samuel Owens, original owner of Brough House; a worked wool vitrine in the Grossmann drawing room; and a bird's eye view of Maitland.

Visitors and volunteers alike, have all learned much from Jane's time in the Open Studio, and are very excited to see the results of Jane's dedication to this residency.

She will also be holding an Artist's Talk on July 18, 2-4.00, bookings required, where we can share first hand her inspiration, research and work practice which have led to the creation of such fascinating pieces.

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26/05/2026

The Fibre Makers Space was a hive of creative activity this Saturday for our Artist In Residence, Jane Richens, sold out workshop on punch needling.

This technique involves applying threads to fabric with a hollow needle that is punched through the fabric on a hoop.

With some inspiration from the natural world, and some careful guidance from Jane, participants went on to create their own unique artworks using the huge variety of coloured threads on offer.

It was a wonderful morning of creativity, conversation and delicious snacks as we all learnt a new craft skill.

Thank you Jane for being such a patient and encouraging teacher. I think you may have sparked a new obsession for a few of our participants!

25/05/2026

How serendipitous?!

Arrived today and proudly placed in the garden, two benches restored by the Maitland Community Men's Shed.

One very familiar bench donated by previous volunteers, Jane and Laurie Collison, which looks amazing.

It has been out of action for quite a few months, as a result of an interaction with some over excited school students, and on another occasion with a large branch.

The second is a donation from our Rose guru, Stephen Abrahams, which the Men's Shed has also restored.

They look wonderful in our garden and will be well used by visitors and volunteers alike.

Thank you to Mick for organising, and Stephen for the donation.

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23/05/2026

From our hard working Gardening Volunteers, many thanks to Mick at the Maitland Community Men's Shed for the donation of these quality Cyclone tools.

We have space in the shed, and a lot of use for the tools.
Maitland Community Men's Shed is also helping us out with some repairs to our garden bench which has been out of action for a few months.

Our volunteers will be very happy to have it back so they can sit in the sun in the garden when they have a break.

It's great to have volunteers working at helping each other out.

21/05/2026

You well may ask why there is a photo of a lobster tail in this post about the 2026 Artist in Residence?

Did you know that the “lobster tail” bustle was a Victorian undergarment popular during the second bustle era (1883–1889) that supported the dramatic back fullness of late-Victorian gowns. Made with horizontal steel or baleen (whale bone) hoops fashioned on a back panel, it resembled the ridged tail of a lobster and cleverly compressed like an accordion when the wearer sat down, making it more flexible and comfortable than earlier bustle designs.

We have been watching the fascinating progress of the construction of a gown in the Fibre Makers Space upstairs at Brough House, inspired by a small portrait of Mary Owens held in the Grossmann Collection. She was the daughter of the owner/ builder of Brough House Samuel Owens, who then married into the well- known Maitland Capper family.

Our very creative AIR Jane Richens is rather fascinated by bustles as you can see.
The lobster tail bustle is being recreated as one of the under supports of a Victorian gown patterned from Mary Owen's dress, but made out of the fibre from a native hibiscus tree found on Jane's property, and natural silk. Jane is creating prototypes from which the bustle will then be made.
All will be revealed at the culminating exhibition of Jane's Residency, starting on Saturday July 3 in the Cecily Mitchell Gallery downstairs.

But you can come along to her Open Studios on Mondays and Tuesdays 10.00-3.00 until the end of May, to check on the progress of the gown, as well as a rather amazing punch-needled rendition of an 1870's birds eye view of Maitland and the river.

18/05/2026

Happy Volunteer's Week!!

Set aside for the celebration of what volunteers bring to all communities, a small gathering of our Friends of Grossmann and Brough Houses yesterday.

A big shout out to all of our volunteers who cheerfully and generously give their time to keep our two old houses and gardens alive and looking their best.

This wonderful group of committed volunteers ensures that the public has a special place to visit, and appreciate the need to keep our heritage for the future.

Thank you!

Check out the link to see 4 of our previous young volunteers, who have all gone on to work in their chosen fields and travel overseas.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/volunteers-nsw/meet-our-volunteers/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=national%20trust%20nsw%20enews%20may%202026%20-%20members&utm_content=national%20trust%20nsw%20enews%20may%202026%20-%20members+cid_c269598c480c2b51fffdba1d1c0eafce&utm_source=email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=read%20more

Address

71-73 Church Street
Maitland, NSW
2320

Telephone

+61249348837

Website

https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/grossmann-brough-house/

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