Henrietta’s is grand Art Deco home, one of only two original, substantial redbrick houses built in Chewton. Recently rescued and restored as an original beauty, Henrietta’s is named for the lady the house was built for early last century. Luxuriously appointed as a country escape from the city, the entire house is private and available for your next retreat. Only around 70 minutes from Melbourne a
nd 2 minutes from Castlemaine, Henrietta’s is a fabulous base for exploring the festivals, foodie, hotrod and arts attractions in the Central Goldfields. It’s in your rear-view mirror. Two bedrooms: Queen beds with luxurious Sheridan linens are available. Circa approximately 1915, it was trashed in the 90’s, then boarded up abandoned to ruin approximately 20 years ago. Recently she was rescued and restored as an original beauty, with a sandstone fireplace, grand front porch with serene views across the valley, polished floorboards, leadlight windows and beautiful indoor spa bath. Named for the lady the house was built for early last century, Henrietta’s sits atop a site rich in Goldfields history. Over a hundred and fifty years ago the location was reputedly home to a surgeon, a pub, a Cobb & Co depot and a couple of other small titles. Numerous archeological curious have been unearthed in the gardens over the years, from fob watches to oriental currency, and can be found on display around the house. During fencing years ago, an old, handmade brick garden path was discovered, out the very back of the property, pre-dating the house, facing what was reputed to be the original main road (dirt track) of Chewton. It is still there under the gum trees, though the shack it led to is long gone from living memory. Scores of fragments of European dinnerware, mostly Blue Willow and Asiatic Pheasant, have been found all over the property and in the gully out back. When the property was trenched and connected to mains sewer, a submerged brick wall was discovered. We were very excited thinking it might be a cellar or somesuch…no…it was filled with dirt, probably a long abandoned septic tank! Next door at Top Dog, a pair of colonial era handcuffs was found in the garden!!!
