An old photo of the Manor House when it was still standing. 68563
By XAVIER SMERDON
HISTORICAL artefacts possibly dating as far back as 1895 have been found dumped in the Werribee River.
Two large bluestone blocks which are believed to be old pillars from the front of an old Werribee house, were found in the river last month.
The house they belonged to was Manor House, which was built in 1895 and destroyed by fire around 1960.
The mansion was built by Captain Percy Chirnside, the son of Thomas Churnside, who built Werribee Mansion.
Alex Smart from the Werribee River Association said the blocks were discovered after heavy storms in January washed away some of the vegetation covering them up.
“The house was destroyed by fire in the 1960s and obviously some stuff was dumped in the river,” Mr Smart said.
“It looks like they just rolled them down the hill into the river.”
The Werribee River Association called on Melbourne Water to help them remove the heavy blocks and a crane was eventually brought in to bring them to the banks of the river.
“The Werribee River Association and the Historical Society are working with the Wyndham City Council to create a display for these historic artefacts,” Mr Smart said.
“You really have to admire the workmanship on these blocks, I probably couldn’t do it with modern machinery, let alone a hammer and chisel.”
Manor House was originally located on what is now the corner Wattamolla Ave and Nadda Court in Werribee.
