The enterprising firm of Henty & Co. of Launceston sent out two of its sons, Edward and Frank, across to Portland Bay in late 1834, Edward on 19 November and Frank on 19 December.

On the 6th of December, 1834, Edward ploughed the first land for potatoes.

The two of them built a small but sound house, the frame being cut out in Van Diemen's Land, all the timber being sawn there, and the bricks for the fireplace and chimney burned just outside Launceston. They moved into their new home, according to Edward's diary dated 23 April, 1835.

'Richmond Cottage' was built by their brother, Stephen Henty, when he moved to Portland after marrying his wife, Jane. Stephen and Jane's first son was called Richmond.

Richmond Henty was born on 3 August, 1837.

Stephen Henty refurbished the home when he took possession legally in 1846, and 'Richmond House' as it was known, came into being.

When Stephen died, his wife Jane became the owner, remaining so until her death.

With Mrs. Henty as the owner, it was first opened as a hotel in December of 1879 with William Paramour as licensee. He was licensee from 1879 to 1880.

Other licensees were as follows

'Richmond House' with lots 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of section 4, facing Bentinck, Julia and Richmond Street, passed out of Henty hands on 20 January, 1909 when it was sold to Samuel William Housen. It became known as 'The Richmond Hotel'.

His wife, Jemima, succeeded Sam as owner when he died. The next owner was their son Samuel Frederick Housen.

In November of 1923, The Western Electric Co. Installed light throughout the hotel and power for electric irons, washing machines and wringers.

In 1946 Dorothy and Howard Turner became the owners until 1951 when Veronica Gertrude Tonkin took over for a year.

Then in 1952 Dorothy Turner and Doris Jose took charge trading as 'D. L. Turner and D. J. Jose'.

In 1953 Dorothy Turner was the sole licensee.

On 17 March, 1954 Ronald James Longney, his wife Margaret, and Ada Josephine Cleveland bought the hotel, trading as 'Longney and Cleveland'. It was now called 'The Henty Hotel'.

On 17 September, 1956 Margaret and Ronald Longney became the owners.

On 28 March, 1966 Beverley and Peter McIntyre and Coral and Lance Hunt bought the hotel, naming it 'The Richmond Henty Hotel'.

The original weatherboard building stood for some 130 years. The present day Richmond Henty hotel stands on the same ground as did Stephen Henty's 'Richmond Cottage' and 'Richmond House'.

The adjoining land which is now the site of the accommodation building, the 'Iron Bar' site and adjoining land, and the site of 'The Richmond Henty Cellars' have all been purchased by the current owners since they bought the hotel.

This land was once all Henty land but had been sold off in separate sales over the years.