European settlement in this region after the first documented white expedition west of the Blue Mountains in 1813 was tentative because of apprehensions about resistance from Aboriginal people.

[1] Governor Macquarie chose the site of the future town of Bathurst on 7 May 1815 during his tour over the Blue Mountains, on the road already completed by convict labour supervised by William Cox.

Reluctant to open the rich Bathurst Plains to a large settlement, Macquarie authorised few grants there initially, one of the first being 1000 acres to William Lawson, one of the three European explorers who crossed the mountains in 1813.

In December 1819 Bathurst had a population of only 120 people in 30 houses, two thirds being in the township of Kelso on the eastern side of the river and the remainder scattered on rural landholdings nearby.

Shortly after their marriage the couple lived at "Toogong" on the Forbes Road, about 30 miles from Orange, but Jago Smith died in 1925 in his home "Hawthorne" in Bathurst.

A noteworthy incident occurred on 10 January 1910 when Lord Kitchener visited Llanarth for dinner, after he had unveiled the Boer War Memorial in Kings Parade in Bathurst.

The Bathurst Orange Development Corporation (BODC) purchased Llanarth from Dr Douse in 1976 and a number of proposals were considered including complete restoration.

In November 1979 the Bathurst Orange Development Corporation wrote to the Heritage Council requesting funding assistance for restoration works to the property, also noting potential leasing arrangements to Mr and Mrs G.

[1] During his site visit in January 1980 Crisp noted the following structural problems and remedies there is evidence of fretting of mortar joints in brick courses close to the ground level; increased sub-floor ventilation and repair of joints required; It is not known the extent of repairs works undertaken, however a plan in his 1983 report shows areas where underpinning was recommended, the location of downpipes at the time, and the depth of footings.

The two double French doors were draped with hand-made lace curtains, left behind by the Smith family, the wallpaper was a dark plain blue, and a piano stood in the corner beside the fireplace.

At the time of Mrs Steele's visit in 1982 the kitchen walls were painted pale pink with evidence of blue and green showing through, and the floor was brick paving.

Mr Rutherford published a book in 2004 on the grandchildren of John Smith, and appears to have collected a lot of historical information regarding the property over many years.

The amount requested was $20,000 in the form of a grant or repayable loan, and the works would be based on recommendations made in the 1980 engineering report by McBean and Crisp.

Tenders were called at this stage for reconstruction ($9,000), under-pinning ($26,400), replacement of roof materials to rear section of main house ($1,150) and internal plasterwork ($4,000).

The financial assistance was sought for "structural defects (underpinning), re-building stables, main building roof and internal plasterwork" to undertake urgent prevention of deterioration, permanent repairs and restoration.

[1] Subsequent investigations into the structure of the buildings found that the major problems were caused by broken downpipes, poor disposal systems and underground water from the hill behind the house.

[49] It appears from correspondence by Brian Costello, Architect, that the stormwater lines were reconstructed, a drainage trench was dug along the rear of the property that dispersed water either side of the buildings and a new septic tank was installed during 1983 and 1984.

Other proposed changes included: a new fit out for the first floor main bathroom; a covered link between the garage and adjacent building by means of a fully glazed conservatory; and relocation of the verandah to the house.

It appears that this was undertaken, as the dimensions of the windows and doors to the kitchen and laundry (ground floor) are similar to that of the rest of the house but they lack the earlier detailed timber surrounds.

[1] The Western Advocate published an article on 18 December 1995 in which David and Denise Roach received a National Trust Heritage Award for their extensive restoration and conservation of 'Llanarth'.

[1] 'Llanarth' was again in the newspapers in 1999 with tenders requested for its sale by Century 21 Mid West Realty of Bathurst (The Sun Herald 1999:57), noting many of the previous owners and the extensive restoration that many undertook.

The Munro's restored the property, which was affected by bird infestation in the chimneys, rising damp in the walls of the formal dining room due to the former owner's concreting the courtyard, and poor renovations.

Other work that may have been carried out by the Munro's includes installation of the existing entrance gate and fence, and polishing the floorboards under the carpets on the staircase and bedrooms, which was referred to as 'future projects' in the 2002 newspaper article.

[59][1] In April 2005 the history of "Llanarth" was presented in the Western Advocate by the National Trust as part of their Diamond Jubilee celebrations (1945 - 2005), including details of its numerous owners and their families.

[1] The large (55 squares) two storey house was built in the Victorian Italianate architectural style in 1858 with red brick in Flemish Bond (alternate courses of headers and stretchers) on the front facade.

[1] Some of the windows form groups of twos or threes, such as on the southern elevation of the house to the family lounge and dining room and the first floor bedroom 3.

This report recommends works to conserve significant fabric, such as investigations and repairs of cracking of internal and external walls, and a structural analysis of the stables.

[1] Some of the windows form groups of twos or threes, such as on the southern elevation of the house to the family lounge and dining room and the first floor bedroom 3.

[72][1] As at 1 December 2008 the internal spaces were reported to be mostly intact however there had been substantial alteration to certain rooms, such as the kitchens and bathrooms that do not have any original fittings or fixtures except window and some door joinery.

The property is associated with the Hastings and Smith families, the latter living here from the 1860s until 1916 and Mr Fred Roberts who was famous for his discovery of gold at Meekatharra in Western Australia with his brothers Andrew, Jack & Charles.