History of Penrith

Arms of Australia Inn Museum

The Arms of Australia Inn, or ‘Mortimer’s House’ as it was also known as, was one of 23 road side Inns in the Nepean District and the last stop before starting up the mountain road and the trail west.

It is believed that the building was built in two sections, the first around 1826 and was purchased on 1st May 1833, by Joseph Barrow Montefiore. He later split the land in two and sold half to John Mortimer in 1840, who commenced trading as a road side Inn on the main road to Bathurst, Orange and the gold diggings.

Cobb and Co Coaches - History of Penrith

The Cobb and Co coaches that plied the road day and night also used to stop at the inn as did many bullock team drivers taking stock and provisions over the mountains. As the inn only had two main rooms, most overnight travellers had to sleep in the barn, on the veranda or under their wagons.

A year later laws were changed and Inns had to have separate rooms for ‘Ladies and Children’. Four additional rooms were added for bedrooms.

Bushrangers

As bushrangers were a great problem in the area, the Arms had a system worked out with a second inn at the top of the hill at Glenbrook to warn travellers if bushrangers were about.

This was accomplished by hanging a lantern on the northern end of the building which was visible to Glenbrook Inn. If the lantern was burning, the road was clear, but if it was not, the stagecoach drivers and other travellers would spend the night at the Arms and continue on in daylight.

The Inn continued to prosper till the 1860’s, when the rail line came through. People began to use it instead of going by road and trade died off.

The Inn was sold in 1865 and became a private house for the next hundred years until 1965, when it was sold to Lucas & Tait for subdivision.

Restoration

In 1971 the building was derelict after years of neglect and was to be demolished, when the Historical Society with the help of Mr Ivan Cassar stepped in and saved the building. The Society took control of the building and began the slow work of restoration until it was officially opened on 27th March 1976 as a museum of local history for the Nepean district.

For more information please Contact us.

Opening Hours

Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm and Sunday 1pm to 4 pm.

We will open at any other time by appointment for special occasions, weddings, school excursions, clubs and groups.

We have access and toilets for the disabled.

Our volunteers are available to help with questions and give further information.

We can also provide morning or afternoon tea as well as full Devonshire teas for an additional cost.

To book: Call the Museum on 02 4735 4394 during opening hours or the secretary on 02 4735 1734.

Email Us : info@nepeanhistoricalsociety.org.au

The Arms of Australia Inn Museum

Cnr. Gardenia & Great Western Highway, Emu Plains, Sydney NSW

 

Convict Leg Irons.