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The old Parramatta Gaol and Gaol Bridge over the Parramatta River c1809

From the collections of the
State Library of New South Wales
[a1313036 / PXD 388 v3,f 6 (detail)]
(Detail of 'A view of part of Parramatta Port Jackson' c1809) (Mitchell Library)

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Factory Above the Gaol Parramatta Female Factory Prince Alfred Park, Parramatta
Subjects
Bridges Prisons Rivers and Catchments
Natural features
Parramatta River
Buildings
Parramatta Gaol 1802
Organisation
Female Factory

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State Library of New South Wales

Prince Alfred Park, Parramatta

In colonial times, the area known today as Prince Alfred Park contained the colony's gaol and was known as 'the Gaol Green' and 'the Hanging Green.' Regular public punishments occurred there until the 1840s when the gaol moved to a new location and the area became a public reserve. A visit by the Duke of Edinburgh in the 1860s saw the area renamed Alfred Square. The park took on grander elements in the twentieth century, eventually transforming into the vibrant civic space it is today.

Factory Above the Gaol

Australia's first female factory at Parramatta (known as the 'Factory Above the Gaol') was Governor King's attempt at finding a solution to the problem of accommodating the colony's abundance of unemployed convict women at the same time as protecting them, and the young colony, against corrupt influences. In its industrial capacity, the factory in excelled in its early years. As a refuge-cum-guardian of public morality, it fell considerably short with severe over-crowding and deteriorating buildings.

Parramatta Female Factory

The Parramatta Female Factory is the largest and oldest surviving convict women's site in Australia. Operating between 1821 and 1848, it was a refuge for women and children, elderly and sick women; a marriage bureau; a place of assignment and moral reform; a penitentiary; a women's hospital for the convicted as well as the free; and a workhouse - all rolled into one.

Bridges

Prisons

Rivers and Catchments

Parramatta River

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Major tributary of Sydney Harbour, which flows east from Blacktown Creek to meet Port Jackson between Greenwich and Birchgrove. The river is tidal to Charles Street Weir at Parramatta, 30 kilometres from Sydney Heads.

Parramatta Gaol 1802

The second gaol on the site, it was constructed over two storeys with local sandstone. The upper rooms of 80 feet by 20 feet each held weaving looms and the convict women worked and slept amongst the wool bales. It quickly became overcrowded.

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Female Factory

Assignment depot which also operated as refuge, workhouse, prison and marriage bureau for unassigned convict women who were classified by a three class system which determined their level of employment or punishment.

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