Glenmore Homestead
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The original homestead of a pastoral run, north of Rockhampton, Queensland, now operated as a tourist attraction.
The grazing property was originally settled in 1858 by John McCartney. In 1861 it was bought by Samuel Birkbeck and his Mexican-born wife, Damiana. The Birkbecks had eight sons and one daughter, Elena. Samuel Birkbeck died in 1867 and the property remains in the hands of his descendants.
Until the 1980s, the Birkbeck family lived in the original homestead. In the early 1980s, the family opened the house to the public.
The buildings at Glenmore Homestead are interesting, as they show several types of early dwelling in the Central Queensland area. They consist of:
- Log Cabin - built in 1858 by McCartney.
- Slab cottage - built in 1858 as a hotel in nearby Parkhurst and moved to the site by Samuel Birkbeck in 1861.
- Brick cottage - built by a Mexican employee of the Birkbeck family in 1862. This was originally to be part of a larger hacienda-style homestead, which was never completed.
Other late-19th century and early 20th century farm buildings are also on site.
