The Sawyer’s Arms was commissioned on land granted to former-convict Frances Atkinson. He was the licensee of the pub from 1844 to 1847. However, Atkinson’s inn venture was not a success. In June 1847 the ‘recently erected and commodious Sawyers Arms licensed inn’ was auctioned. The premises which ‘offered every convenience for a respectable and lucrative trade’ were in ‘excellent order’ having only been recently finished’ and were ‘built of the best materials.’ The site offered ‘every necessary convenience for a Country Inn.’ After becoming bankrupt Atkinson sold the two-storeyed brick inn with adjacent stables to become hotelier briefly at the Richmond Hotel in Henry Street. The Sawyer’s Arms continued as an inn until the mid-19th century.

By about 1860, the house was a residence for George Burn (who built Roslyn 1823) when operating the Steam Flour Mill (Mill House) near  the Richmond Bridge. Later in the century, the stables were still used for coach horses – its pit-sawn rafters and manger racks are still in good order today. It is now a private residence, having been renamed Hawthorn Lodge, George Chivers lived there before 1914. Later owners include the Grices, a well-known local family, Dr John and Joan Sherry, Michael and Ann Barrett, and the current owners Sara and Stuart Whatling.

In conjunction with Richmond 200, Open House Hobart is super excited to announce Open House Richmond. This special one-off event will be held on Saturday 24 + Sunday 25 February 2024, and will form part of an extensive program that celebrates Richmond’s bicentenary. Open House Hobart is an annual architecture program that opens some of Tasmania’s most unique buildings to the public, including private homes and historic buildings across lutruwita Tasmania. We acknowledge that Open House takes place on the land of the traditional owners of lutruwita (Tasmania) and pay respects to the palawa people, Tasmanian Aboriginal Community and to Elders - past, present and emerging.

For detail of the full Open House Richmond 2024 program, head to openhousehobart.org/richmond

Ticket Conditions

Bookings open TBC.  Tickets are free but are also limited and in high demand – if you are unable to attend please cancel your ticket via booking link or contact the Open House Hobart team: tas@architecture.com.au