Rusten House, Former hospital and nurses' dormitory, now art centre, in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Rusten House is a single-storey stone building designed by W. H. Downey and erected in 1859–1861 by Daniel, Jordan and Gibson, with a footprint of 74 by 32 feet for up to 16 patients. Its northern verandah was later enclosed, the southern verandahs rebuilt wider and enclosed, and a fever ward added at the eastern end in 1885.
Queanbeyan District Hospital began in 1847 as a Benevolent Society initiative, with Mary Ann Rusten as foundation matron in a rented cottage. W. H. Downey designed the stone hospital, built 1859–1862 by Daniel Jordan and Gibson for up to 16 patients; a ball marked its 1862 opening. Replaced by a new hospital in 1933, it became a nurses' dormitory and was renamed after Matron Rusten. It joined the State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
The name honours Matron MaryAnn Rusten, the foundation matron of Queanbeyan District Hospital, who died in office in 1875. The building later served as a nurses' dormitory from 1933, and since its conversion it has hosted local and touring exhibitions, community events and private functions.
Rusten House stands on Antill Street in Queanbeyan, a short walk from the town centre. The building is owned by Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and used as an art centre, so access follows the exhibition programme rather than fixed house-tour hours. The former fever ward adjoins the main block, and the enclosed southern verandahs now serve as workspace and circulation space.
The name honours MaryAnn Rusten, the foundation matron of the Queanbeyan District Hospital, who died in office in 1875. A fever ward was added at the eastern end in 1885, and the space between it and the main building was later enclosed for an office, bathroom and tea room.
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