The Olde Bakehouse History

History in the Baking

I have much admiration for people who are passionate about geneology and who persevere in their pursuit to find out all about their ancestors.

In the case of George and Joy Percival of Linden in the Blue Mountains, their search for their family history proved to be also a great acquisition of information for Aunty Molly's, for Joy's grandfather did, at one time, run the bakery business here in Morisset.

Their thorough search revealed that the land on which the Olde Bakehouse now stands was a Crown Land Grant and was sold in 1888 to James Wellings. Then in 1894 it was bought by Henry Frost who was a baker by trade and we believe built the Bake House. After it was transferred to his daughter-in-law Dinah Frost in 1897, she, we surmise ran the business until leasing it to William and Mina Walker (the grandparents of Joy Percival) in 1899.

William died at 45, leaving his wife to bring up three children and run the Bakery. Mina purchased the property and the land adjoining (where the water tower is now located) in 1908. She had the valuable help of William's assistant Arthur "Clive" Lean to help with the business, which was transferred to Mr. Lean in 1912 and he ultimately purchased the property in 1918. Clive Lean was a leading member of the Morisset community and helped to bring much prosperity to the town as a very active member of the Progress Association and he served on Lake Macquarie Council from 1931-1937. It was Clive who added the extension to the old bakery, (we believe in the mid thirties) making it into the building you see today, the additions being obvious by the different coloured brickwork. The Lean family operated the business until 1956, when it was sold to the Ingram's, who sold off the other block to the Waterboard. The remaining block passed to J. & R. Bakery which we are told were the Sylvesters, now of Cessnock.

So in the early sixties the bakery was closed down and was subsequently used for various purposes, mainly an antique shop, then discount wares until my husband Jim and I purchased it in 1989. There are a couple of extraordinary coincidences too. I was born in Staffordshire, England, so was William Walker. The Lean's ran this business for many years. I am a Mc-Lean (same clan).

My passion is renovating old buildings and the Olde Bakehouse, even though work is still in progress, has been brought up to perhaps much better than its former glory, with beautiful gardens where, I am delighted, many of our customers are able to enjoy delicious food 7 days a week and many weddings and private parties are now being held. The Stables Cafe, thus named because it is where the horses were bridled and made ready for deliveries, is one of two fully air conditioned restaurants.

With George & Joy's passion and my passion combined, I am convinced that the ghosts of the past are very content and I am always happy to be able to say "You're Always Welcome at Aunt Molly's".

Aunty Molly's can truly be classed as one of the Hunter Valley's leading tourism venues.

The building was very neglected and run down when purchased by Toni & Jim McLean in 1989. Ever since, they have worked tirelessly to restore this quaint old property, bringing it back to its former glory.

The business has come a long way from its early days when the McLeans were selling old furniture and antiques back in 1989. In 1991, Toni opened a small 24 seater Tea Shop to compliment the antique business. In ensuing years, the Tea Shop grew into a Restaurant catering for tour buses. The introduction of Theatre Restaurant was a natural progression for Mo Award winner, Toni, and has proven extremely popular with visitors from all over NSW.

When the McLean's bought the property in 1989, the cottage was leaning some 50cms. Rather than demolish they decided to revive and so, in the early nineties, renovations began. Firstly the house was completely re-peered to level it up. Evidence of the lean can still be seen over the lounge doorway and the swing of the doors, but this all adds to the ambiance. The roof was completely replaced and the cedar panelling inside the lounge and hallway, which unfortunately was far too damaged to save, as were the doors, were replaced with pine in exactly the same pattern as before. The old fireplace was saved and has been renovated.