182.5-188 Cumberland Street, The Rocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 182.5-188 Cumberland Street, The Rocks |
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182.5-188 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, New South Wales
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| Location | 182.5-188 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1890 |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Terraces | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1607 |
| Type | Terrace |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | William John Finneran |
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The buildings at 182.5-188 Cumberland Street, The Rocks are a group of historic terrace houses. They are located in The Rocks, a famous inner-city area of Sydney, Australia. These houses were built in 1890 by William John Finneran.
Today, these special homes are owned by Property NSW, a government agency in New South Wales. They are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register since May 10, 2002. This means they are important to the history and culture of the state.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Cumberland Street Terraces
These terrace houses have a long and interesting past. They stand on land that has seen many changes over the years.
How the Terraces Came to Be
Before these houses were built, other homes stood on this land. For example, houses on Gloucester Street were taken down between 1880 and 1882. The land was empty for a while.
By 1891, a person named Herbert Salway owned all this land. He might have planned to build large business buildings. However, a tough economic time in the 1890s delayed his plans.
Later, in 1898, James Channon bought the whole area. He then divided the land and sold a part to William John Finnegan. Finnegan was a builder from Rouse Hill.
Building and Living in the Terraces
By 1900, four new houses were built on Cumberland Street. Two more were built on Gloucester Street around 1901-1902. It is believed that Finnegan built all of these homes.
Records show that the Cumberland Street terraces were finished and people were living in them by 1900. These houses were used as homes until the late 1970s. This was true even as the area around them changed. More businesses started to appear, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built nearby.
From Empty to Restored Homes
After the 1970s, the buildings became empty and run-down for several years. People who didn't have a permanent home sometimes stayed there.
However, in 1996, the terraces were carefully restored. They were brought back to life as homes that could be rented out. This project helped save these important historical buildings.
What We Found Underground
During the restoration work, archaeologists found clues about even older structures. They found parts of a building from the 1820s in the foundations. This shows that people have lived on this spot for a very long time. The site has a lot of potential for finding out more about the past.
What Do the Terraces Look Like?
The terraces at 182.5-188 Cumberland Street are good examples of Victorian-style homes. They were built as an investment, meaning someone built them to rent out.
Inside the Terrace Houses
Each of the four houses has a similar layout.
- The basement level has a laundry room and an outdoor toilet.
- The ground floor includes a living room (parlour), a dining room, and a kitchen.
- Upstairs, there is one large bedroom, two smaller bedrooms, and a bathroom.
Outside the Terrace Houses
The outside of the houses shows classic Victorian details.
- They have beautiful cast iron balustrades (railings) on the balconies.
- You can also see parts of cast iron decorations called friezes and brackets. These are found below the upper balcony.
- The outside walls are made of painted brickwork.
Inside Details
Inside, the main rooms still have, or show signs of, wooden frames around the fireplaces. They also have four-panelled wooden doors. You might also spot decorative ceiling roses, which are fancy plaster designs on the ceiling.
Current Condition and Changes
As of 2001, the archaeological condition was partly disturbed. During the restoration work in 1995-1996, a part of the back wall collapsed. This was because the foundation was not strong enough.
Workers had to dig deeper to fix it. They found that the two-story back part of the house was built on old demolition material. This material was up to one meter deep in some places. This discovery means the site has a very high chance of holding more historical secrets underground.
The terraces were fully restored between 1995 and 1996.
Why Are These Terraces Important?
The terraces at 182.5-188 Cumberland Street are very important to the history and science of New South Wales. They also add to the special character of The Rocks area.
A Glimpse into the Past
These terraces show how people lived in this part of Sydney for almost 200 years. They are located in one of the very first European settlements in Australia. The old stone pieces found in the foundations could be from the 1820s or even earlier. This would make them some of the oldest building parts in The Rocks.
The houses survived major events, like the bubonic plague outbreak and the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They stand as a reminder of an earlier time, contrasting with the huge bridge nearby.
Beautiful Design and Craftsmanship
These terraces are now a rare example of the original homes in this part of The Rocks. They feature excellent cast iron and decorative plaster work on the front. Inside, you can see great examples of late 19th-century craftsmanship, especially in the wooden details.
One house, No. 186, still has an old kitchen fireplace. Restoring these homes helps keep the unique feel of The Rocks alive. It also encourages more people to live in and visit the area.
A Treasure for Learning
The site is very rare because it's in one of Australia's oldest European settlement areas. It has evidence of people living there from around 1802 until today. This means it can teach us a lot about how life was in a residential area of Sydney for nearly two centuries.
The site is a great resource for archaeological digs. It helps us understand history, society, and architecture. It also provides a way for the public to learn and be educated about the past.
