St Clair Villa Museum & Archives

Described as the ‘most beautiful work that has escaped destruction’ in 1924, St Clair is one of the oldest remaining houses in Goulburn. The original house was both designed and constructed by Goulburn's prominent early builder and first architect, James Sinclair, between 1843 and 1849. St Clair is a unique example of an country villa built in late colonial Georgian architectural style.

Sinclair resided at St Clair until 1851 when, in financial difficulties, he left for the Victorian goldfields and was never heard of again and was believed to have been murdered near Ovens. In 1852, the property was sold for private use to the storekeeper, Joseph Bull and over the years, the house became home twice to the Mayor and postmaster of Goulburn, Edward J Ball, becoming a ‘school for young ladies’ in 1883 and from 1884 a private boarding house. Between 1896 and 1900 it reverted to a private residence, owned by the architect Ernest Boissier. It was run as St Clair Boarding House between 1909 and 1919, with the original furniture from 16 rooms being auctioned off in 1922. It was then bought by Horace Oliver Pursehouse in 1922 and remained in his extended family until the late 1960s.

In 1970 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Governor Macquarie’s visit to Goulburn in 1820, a financial grant was made by the Premier’s Department of NSW to Goulburn City Council to be used for historical purposes. St Clair at this time was facing demolition and the Goulburn and District Historical Society persuaded the Council to purchase the villa with the commemorative grant. Subsequently the villa opened as a historical house museum and research centre in 1977. 

St Clair is home to the History Goulburn group who look after important local archives and museum collections including textiles, domestic items, historic photographs, parish maps, newspapers, diaries, and journals from early settler families from Goulburn and surrounding districts, providing insights into the region’s rich historical past.

Opening times:

Currently, the Council is overseeing conservation works at St Clair to ensure the future of this remarkable heritage place. As a result, it is currently closed to the public.

Contact Details

For research inquiries please contact History Goulburn by email at historygoulburn2580@gmail.com or by phone on 0458 028 003, and leave a message.