Hobart - Runnymede House

Runnymede House is an elegant two-story mansion of the mid 19th C set in a beautiful garden, with a view over New Town Bay. It was built around 1837 for a lawyer named Robert Pitcairn who had campaigned for the ending of the transportation of convicts. In 1850 it became the residence of the Anglican bishop, who added the music room, used for receptions and religious services. In 1864 it passed into the hands of a sea captain, who named it Runnymede after his ship. Finally in 1967 it was acquired by the state and handed over to the management of the National Trust. It has since been restored to its 19th C condition.