He bought High Street's historic Bridge House and Toll House in July and is planning a major renovation to bring the properties back to their former glory.

It's a labor of love for the heritage enthusiast, who is quite handy and will do some of the work himself.

His great-great aunt Ann was married to Samuel Clift who built Toll House, Bridge House and Walli House.

The couple lived in Toll House before moving into Bridge House and eventually Walli House.

Mr Marich remembers staying with them in Walli House in the school holidays and he has vivid memories of Les and Molly Foster, who were the owners of Bridge House during that time.

"It was one of the first houses built in Maitland and being so important, it is important to me, I'm a heritage buff," he said.

"Bridge House is in predominately great condition, it needs a bit of mortar work done, the doors need replacing but the hinges are still there. I'll keep things as original as I possibly can. It really will be a showpiece when I'm finished and it will rate with Grossmann House and some of the other historic properties in the area.

"I'd been in it as a child, I remembered the outbuildings and the well. There is still one of the original wells at the back, there was a hand pump that used to give them their water supply.

"When you walk in the front door there is a large reception area, which is most unusual, and then you've got the dining room off to the left and the sitting room and living room off to the right. The three fireplaces are still working and the main bedroom has a fireplace.

"Bridge House is 190-years-old and Toll House is 195-years-old and they are both on the same title, so I'm tickled pink. I knew the former owners Chad and Annabel Day and they were thrilled I bought it."

Walli House remains on another title next door, with its own owner. Mr Marich said part of the original post and rail fence in the backyard of that house was still standing, 160 years on.

Mr Marich said Toll House was where the tolls were collected when people came across the Victoria Bridge over Wallis Creek. He added that Bridge House's name came from its proximity to the bridge.

"Samuel Clift built Toll House first and they lived in that and then they built Bridge House, and in 1829 they moved into Bridge House, and then in 1840 he built Walli House and they moved into that," he said.

Fortunately, Mr Marich has a lot of information about Bridge House. He will draw upon a lengthy thesis written by Rebecca Hearty.