The four acres land Woodstock stands on was bought by Edwin T. Penfold in January 1871 for £450.
Soon after purchasing the land in Church Street the Penfolds began building a house. They moved to “Illerton” at Randwick for the two years that this took, returning to Burwood in 1873, when the house was finished. Woodstock was probably named in honour of the novel of the same name by Sir Walter Scott.
Edwin T. Penfold came to Australia in 1852 to seek his fortune on the goldfields but made his fortune as a tobacco merchant and later as one of Australia’s largest tobacco manufacturers. He retired in his 40’s and became very active in community affairs in Burwood.
The house originally was a smaller building. After 1878 when the Penfolds returned from a trip to England, the Penfolds extended the house. A map probably dating from between October 1889, and November 1894, shows Woodstock with the two bays on the east and west elevations, a verandah running between, and a large wing at the rear.
By 1894 the house had a circular carriage drive.
Mr. Penfold’s son, William Clark Penfold, founded the well-known firm of stationers while living at Woodstock and he was responsible for the extensive additions and alterations to the home. By 1895 the land around Woodstock had been reduced via subdivision to its current dimensions.
Later owners of the house were:
- 1898 Edward Scholes – barrister at law, later a judge and long serving member of Burwood Council and also strongly involved in the community.
- 1908 Sir Arthur Renwick – the most eminent medical practitioner of his day, associated with Sydney Hospital, who died at Woodstock in 1908.
- 1912 The Keep sisters. They renamed the house Broughton. It was owned by the Keeps until 1941. Edith, the last surviving sister, attempted to subdivide its grounds.
- 1941 Purchased by Council. Grounds resumed for parkland
- 1942-1946 Purchased by Commonwealth Government and used by the army.
- 1947 Used by the Methodist ladies College for one year.
- 1948 Opened as the Broughton Migrant Hostel, still in Commonwealth government ownership.
In 1974 Woodstock and its land was purchased by Burwood Council for use as a public park with the house restored for use as a community centre in recognition of the centenary of Burwood municipality, and officially opened in 1979. Burwood Council has in recent years undertaken conservation works to the house, built a new rear addition and a childcare centre at the rear of the land. Woodstock is today a highly regarded heritage item and community asset.
