It has stood for 142 years as one of the landmarks on the Orange landscape.
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A mansion built by one of the city’s pioneers as a statement of wealth and importance.
But anything built of timber is going to be hard pressed to survive more than 140 Orange winters.
Parts of the Duntryleague mansion have fallen into disrepair and now it requires major works to bring it back into full use.
Builder Glen Mortimer started work on the front entrance of the historic mansion on Thursday.
Duntryleague Foundation spokesman Robert Bruce said a $30,000 state government grant, obtained by the Member for Orange Phil Donato, would be added to funds already raised to start repairing the front entrance.
Known as the porte corchere, a covered porch-like structure used to cover horse-drawn vehicles and later cars when they pulled up at the front of a building, the canopy requires new roofing timber in its vaulted ceiling.
Mr Bruce said it was part of wider works that would take up to two years to complete to bring the mansion back to its former glory.
“By doing the porte cochere [first] it is very visible, so people can see what is being done,” he said.
It is a landmark of Orange and attracts visitors from overseas and interstate.
- Duntryleague Foundation spokesman Robert Bruce
Mr Bruce said the works had gained a new importance with next year commemorating 100 years since the death of Duntryleague founder James Dalton Jr.
“Next year the Dalton family, which is scattered far and wide across the nation will return to Orange to mark 100 years since the death of James Dalton,” he said.
“He was a significant figure in the Orange district and with family members established properties such as Kangaroobie and Amerdown.
“He was also made a papal knight for his support for the Catholic Church.”
Mr Dalton was also a leading retailer in Orange and established Dalton Bros, which is the former Myer building in Summer Street.
Mr Bruce said the foundation had been set up to raise funds for a complete refurbishment of the mansion.
“The mansion has been a guest house most of the time since the golf club purchased the property in 1935,” he said.
“It is a landmark of Orange and attracts visitors from overseas and interstate.”
Mr Bruce said Duntryleague would next be open for public inspection on Sunday, August 19 from 11am-2pm, with free entry.