This building, designed by John Sulman, was commissioned following the death of Thomas Walker in 1886 and built with the £100,000 bequest from his estate for this purpose. A further £50,000 was provided by his daughter Eadith, sister Joanna and Eadith’s companion, Anne Sulman (nee Masefield). It is an unchanged example of a late 19th century major institutional complex, which was built in one major phase, and survives along the foreshores of Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River.
It is a fine example of a private architect’s design in Australia and is considered to be John Sulman’s finest work in this country.
Along with the Carrington Centennial Hospital, the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital is the only other convalescent hospital to have survived from the 19th century.
It is important because it reflects Florence Nightingale’s influence on 19th century convalescent hospital design principles and their adoption into Australian Architecture.
The hospital is also important for its social links with women in allowing them to pursue career opportunities.
thank you so much for your wonderful comments - I have passed this building many times on my trip down the Harbour and this time thought "I must look into this" and am glad I did
March 12th, 2015
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thank you so much for your wonderful comments - I have passed this building many times on my trip down the Harbour and this time thought "I must look into this" and am glad I did