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Helen Stehbens & her husband Brian Hollins have embarked on a restoration of Brisbane's oldest privately owned house, "Lucerne". Brian and Helen conduct a Bed & Breakfast using the restored coach house. They purchased Lucerne in early 2005 and immediately commenced the retoration project. Much of the rear of the house was damp. The verandahs had partially collapsed. Weatherboards and structural timbers had been badly damaged by termites. The main house is primarily brick, with stone foundations, dry packed on top of a shale surface. During the restoration process, Brian and Helen discovered some of the former shingles which they now have on display. In a history spanning almost 150 years, "Lucerne", which began as a craftsman's dwelling, became home to a number of notable Queensland families. It is believed that it had been built by 1862, by James Young. As early as 1877, the house was advertised as a 'gentleman's residence', and such it has remained, having been home to squatter and solicitor Guthrie, Davis sisters who were teachers, business man A D Campbell , parliamentarian Scott, and then in the 20th Century it was home to Scott, Hirst, Ward, Morrow and O'Sullivan families. Listed in the Queensland Heritage Register, its restoration has become a matter of pride as well as joy to Helen & Brian. When looking for accommodation in Brisbane, book some nights in a Stehbens B&B, staying in the luxury of the Coach House at Lucerne on Fernbrerg, enjoy the ambience of Brisbane's Separation Era history, and chat to Helen, Brian and Megan about Stehbens family history. Lucerne was built around the time of the arrival of Helen's Stehbens ancestors in Queensland, and long before her Campbell ancestors arrived from Scotland. [LINEAGE: Megan Hollins d/o Helen Stehbens d/o Geoffrey s/o Allen s/o Wilhelm s/o Claus Johann Stehbens s/o Detlef Staeben s/o Frantz Stebens]
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