Silver claret jugs, 1840, silver coasters, 1842-1843 and silver presentation tray, 1838. Elizabeth Bay House Collection and Caroline Simpson Collection, Sydney Living Museums. Photo © Jenni Carter
Now that we’ve gone through Elizabeth Bay’s cellars, it’s up the servants’ stairs and on to the table. Claret anyone? Continue reading
'Supper table' (detail) in Mrs Isabella Beeton, Beeton's every-day cookery and housekeeping book, Ward, Lock & Co., London, [ca.1895]. Caroline Simpson Library and Research Collection, Sydney Living Museums
Servant ‘butchers’ dinner guest!
In putting on the dishes and taking them off, I shall observe to you a few things, as many accidents have occurred through inattention and want of care. Thomas Cosnett, The Footman’s Directory, and Remembrancer; or, The Advice of Oneimus to His Young Friends. (London, 1835)
In the cellars at Elizabeth Bay House. Photo Scott Hill © SLM
One of Elizabeth Bay House’s most evocative spaces is its wine cellar, built under the mud-stone floor of the entry hall and saloon. Faint impressions of painted labels – sauternes, Teneriffe, port, claret, sherry, brandy, are still evident on the arched storage bays designed to hold casks and bottles. The wine cellars were connected to the house with an internal staircase, giving the butler – who was entrusted with the keys – access to the wine store. Continue reading
Ready and waiting: a dessert course at Elizabeth Bay House. Photo © Leo Rocker
With the second course finished, it’s time for some precision table acrobatics as we re-set the table for dessert. Continue reading
Tarmons, Woolloomooloo, Sydney, Residence of Sir Maurice O'Connell (detail), George Edwards Peacock, 1845. Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW: ML 148
June 29, 1846
I dined this day with my respected chief, Lieutenant-General Sir Maurice O’Connell, at his beautiful villa, Tarmons… there were brisk coal fires burning in both dining and drawing-room, and the general appliances of the household, the dress of the guests and the servants, were as entirely English as they could have been in London… Continue reading
The Cook and the Curator set the table for a Macleay dinner, at Elizabeth Bay House. Photo Alysha Buss © SLM
Famous for ‘evicting’ his mother and father and unmarried sister from Elizabeth Bay House in 1845, William Sharp Macleay (1792-1865) remained as master of the house for another 20 years. Continue reading
The dining room at Elizabeth Bay House, with a full ‘a la Francais’ setting for 14 diners. Photo © Patrick Bingham-Hall
As any Downton Abbey or Austen aficionado will tell you there are two obligatory scenes in a costume drama: the ball, and the dinner – and we do love a dinner that pulls out all the stops! Continue reading
Fish catch and Dawes Point, Sydney Harbour (detail), J W Lewin, c1813, gift of the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation and South Australian Brewing Holdings Limited 1989, given to mark the occasion of the Company's 1988 Centenary, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide
Lewin’s painting celebrates the abundance and variety of fish that could be gleaned from Sydney Harbour. With its breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, you can only imagine that the Macleays would have the freshest of fish on their table at Elizabeth Bay House. Continue reading
Elizabeth Bay House. Photo © Patrick Bingham-Hall
Dining with a sensational view: welcome to Elizabeth Bay House. From the ‘Lion of Sydney’, to an artists’ squat, reception house and bedsit apartments: Elizabeth Bay House – the ‘grandest house in the colony’ – has seen a chequered and Bohemian life since it was built for the residence of Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay (1767-1848) and his family. Continue reading
A plate of Tot's lemon biscuits at Meroogal.. Photo Scott Hill © Sydney Living Museums
Our houses have been home to thousands of residents, and of course, hundreds of Mothers! For Mothers’ Day this year, Meroogal is hosting a very special afternoon tea and Mums can visit our houses and museums for free. Continue reading