23/09/2024
Some of the team recently took a trip up to Kempton, Midlands, Tasmania, for a day trip to explore the sights & try some of the local spirits!
Meet beautiful Dysart House, which proudly & elegantly sits on Main Street in the historic village of Kempton (originally Greenponds).
A former Coaching Inn, Dysart House was built in 1842 by Master Stonemason Andrew Bell for William Henry Ellis, an ex-convict embezzler turned Inn Keeper.
This elegant 2 storey Georgian Style Homestead boasted 22 rooms including dining rooms, living room, bedrooms, drawing room, library, large kitchen, store room, cellar under the kitchen, court yard, coach house, stables able to hold 22 horses & caretaker’s quarters. It also has sandstone fireplaces & sandstone flagged floors.
Ellis had a successful coaching business which ran between Hobart, terminating at The Greenponds Hotel. Travellers would rest here on their journey between Hobart & Launceston.
Dysart House is rich in history & folklore. Originally known as Greenponds Hotel, it lived its initial chapters as most Inns & Hotels of this time did, as a residence, public house & Inn. It was known at some time as The Commercial Inn, became a scholastic establishment for young ladies for over a decade after 1860, then a private residence from the 1880s on. Now it lives its current chapter as home of The Old Kempton Distillery.
Ellis ran his businesses, including The Greenponds Store, located across the road from the Inn, until his death in 1860. He was buried in the nearby cemetery.
We’re no strangers to some of the resident spirits within Kempton, having previously investigated Huntington Tavern & through studying some of its history, Kempton definitely has its fair share of haunted locations, including Dysart House!
Dysart has a few residents still remaining after their time here. A Lady in Red, is said to be seen walking from the kitchen to the old slaughter room only to disappear. Footsteps have been heard when no one is around, objects moved, the old piano in the hallway has been heard playing (even when no piano was there!), appliances turn on by themselves & many more occurrence have been experienced over the years!
Follow Old Kempton Distillery who are open daily (see site for details) & experience this amazing site for yourself on one of their tours, grab some great food & enjoy some of their spirits! (you may also encounter their forever residents as well!) 👻
Also, check out Kempton Ghost Tour for local tours around Kempton!
Haunt us across our Socials - check our bio for the links!
Info:
Old Kempton Distillery
https://www.oldkemptondistillery.com.au/cellar-door/
On the Convict Trail:
http://ontheconvicttrail.blogspot.com/2015/12/dysart-house.html?m=1
Urban.com.au
https://www.urban.com.au/news/dysart-house-kempton-tasmania-listed-at-1-5-million