Experiment Farm Cottage

Experiment Farm Cottage is a heritage-listed former farm and residence and now house museum. It is one of Australia's oldest standing residences, being built in c.1834.

It is located at the site of Experiment Farm, Australia's first European farmstead, which was itself created by Australia's first land grant.. In 1789, James Ruse was chosen by Governor Arthur Phillip to run an experiment to see how long it would take a man to support himself.

Ruse was granted 0.61 hectares (1.5 acres) of cleared land, as well as assistance for clearing an additional 2.0 hectares (5 acres). He was also provided with two sows and six hens. He was fed and clothed from the public store for 15 months, after which time he had become successfully self-sufficient and was granted an additional 12 hectares (30 acres).. In October 1793, Ruse sold his farm to surgeon John Harris, builder of the substantial colonial cottage which exists today.

Harris already owned the adjacent property. At the time Harris had many varied roles in the colony, including Magistrate, Deputy Judge Advocate, Superintendent of Police and Naval Officer. He went on to become one of the wealthiest pastoralists in the colony, owning extensive properties in New South Wales.