Elizabeth Farm is the oldest building still standing in Australia. The Australian wool pioneer John Macarthur built the farmhouse in 1793 on a grant of 100 acres (40 hectares) of land near Parramatta. He named the farm in honor of his wife, Elizabeth. The Merino sheep he raised there played a major role in establishing the Australian wool industry. In 1794, Macarthur added another 100 acres (40 hectares) to his original land grant. Macarthur’s family owned the house until 1881, when it changed hands. The original house, consisting of four main rooms, a kitchen, and servants’ quarters, has been added to several times during its history. However, the original walls and ceilings still exist as part of the present house. Today, the farm is a museum maintained by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. 
