Clippings & Snippets - A glance into the past

1884-1912: Hopewood's Beginnings - Ben & Lucy Osborne
Hopewood is established by one of Australia's most widely known pastorialists - Ben Osborne (1837–1912: fourth son of the late Henry Osborne, Esq., of Marshall Mount, Illawarra.) and his wife Lucy Throsby (1849-1902: seventh daughter of the late Charles Throsby, Esq., of Throsby Park, Bong Bong.) Ben & Lucy married at Christ Church, Bong Bong on the 31st of May, 1866. Their family consisted of seven daughters and five sons. Ben Osborne was considered a kind-hearted & hardworking businessman - at times he drove his cattle across the continent to Adelaide - travelling by compass only. 

25/4/1896: Wedding Celebrations at Hopewood

3/2/1900: A summer soirée at Hopewood
"On Friday evening last a most enjoyable ball was given by Mr. and Mrs. Ben. M. Osborne at their residence,  "Hopewood," Bowral. There were about 40 couples present. The residence was tastefully decorated with ferns and flowers for the occasion and had a very pleasing effect. Dancing was commenced at 9 o'clock and continued with much spirit and undoubted pleasure till 11.30 when a stop was made to partake of the delicious refreshments so liberally - provided by the host and hostess, after which dancing was renewed and at about 1 o'clook the proceedings were brought to a close."
- Ball at Hopewood. (1900, February 3). Bowral Free Press and Berrima District Intelligencer

1912-1929: Lebbeus Hordern
Lebbeus Horden (1891–1928), the grandson of Anthony Horden - founder of what was once the largest department store in the world - Anthony horden & sons - makes hopewood home. Lebbeus was widely known in sydney as a man of varied interests. Lebbeus was one of the first civilians to fly over Sydney and in his early exploits in the air was associated with M. Guillaux, the French aviator, who taught him to fly.

Lebbeus expanded the estates rural activities, established the first elaborate parterre gardens and suspected responsible for the bird themed leadlight windows featured throughout the Residence. 

Lebbeus also held properties in Darling Point, Sydney - establishing a second  'Hopewood House' in 1924 on Thornton Street - which was replaced in 1966 by the Hopewood Gardens building. 

1929-1942: S.E. Sibley
Mr S.E. Sibley makes hopewood home - a series of alterations are made to the Residence - Porte Cochere, a two storey verandah to the Residence in classical style and changes to the stables. Mr Sibley also established vegetable gardens and planted thousands of tulips in the gardens. He also constructed for Hopewood in this time a Dairy & Piggery (specialising in Canadian Berkshires). Renovations and expansions are undertaken on the Stables, beginning to take on the shape of the Pavilion today.

16/8/1937: Darling Point - Edgecliffe Music Club
Celebrations & Music continued with the Darling Point - Edgecliffe Music Club who held their fourth musicale of the third season at Hopewood House at 8:15pm on a Monday in August, 1937.

1943 - 1970: The Hopewood Family (L.O. Bailey)
Hopewood, in Bowral, was a unique children's home operated by the Youth Welfare Association of Australia (YWAA), which was founded by Leslie Owen Bailey. Some of the children of Hopewood - refer to themselves as the Hopewood Family - forever connected to the place. As the children reached adulthood Hopewood was closed.

2000 - : Hopewood House - Intimate & Luxurious Weddings & Events
Since the early 2000's Hopewood has become well known as one of the Southern Highlands most secret & prestigious venues. Intimate, Romantic, Luxurious & Tailored - Weddings, Corporate Events & Private Events.