Historical information

From Victorian Heritage:
The single storey mansion house with enclosed glass verandah, Burswood was built in 1853 on a site overlooking the Portland Bay for English born pioneer colonist Edward Henty. John Barrow of Adelaide was the architect for this exceptional Australian regency style residence which he designed as a central block of fine axed basalt ashlar and slate roof (now replaced) with flanking brick wings forming an enclosed rear courtyard.
Burswood is the most important early mansion house in western Victoria, being an exceptional Australian regency design by distinguished colonial architect James Barrow. Edward Henty, a member of one of Australia's most remarkable colonial families and the founder of Portland, established the first permanent settlement in Victoria on 19th November 1834, and Burswood is testimony to his success as an early colonist. Henty lived in his mansion for 17 years in a semi-regal state.
Burswood has been little altered since completion in 1853. A glasshouse conservatory to the side of the present enclosed verandah was demolished prior to 1895 and the slate roof replaced with iron.

Johnstone, O’Shannessy & Co was a leading photographic studio located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was active from 1865 to 1905. Henry James Johnstone was also an artist and studied at Louis Buvelot's school and with Thomas Clark.

Physical description

Painting of a sandstone coloured building. A grand house with a driveway and well-kept gardens to the front. There is a horse and cart with a man standing to the side of it. There is a female figure exiting the building and another female and a man further along the driveway with a dog. The building has a glass conservatory attached to the side. The sky is blue with several fluffy clouds.

Inscriptions & markings

Bottom right: Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co Melbourne (in white paint)