Cadmans Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cadmans Cottage |
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The façade of Cadmans Cottage
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| Location | 110 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1815–1816 |
| Architect | Francis Greenway (suspected) |
| Architectural style(s) | Old Colonial Georgian |
| Owner | Department of Planning & Environment |
| Official name: Cadmans Cottage; Cadman's Cottage | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 981 |
| Type | Cottage |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Cadmans Cottage is a very old building in The Rocks, Sydney, Australia. It was built between 1815 and 1816. This makes it the second-oldest house still standing in Sydney!
It has been used for many different things over the years. First, it was home to government boat leaders called coxswains. Later, it became a water police station. After that, it was a home for sailors. Today, it is a visitor center for Sydney Harbour National Park.
When it was first built, the water came very close to the cottage. But over time, land was added to the area. This pushed the shoreline about 100 metres (330 ft) away. Cadmans Cottage is an important part of Sydney's history. It shows how the city and its waterfront have changed.
Contents
History of Cadmans Cottage
Early Days: Home for Boat Leaders (1816–1845)
Cadmans Cottage was built for the government's boat leaders, known as coxswains. The exact date it was finished isn't known. But drawings from 1816 show it was already built by then. It was located right by the water, next to the government's boat repair area.
People think that Francis Greenway, a famous architect, might have designed the building. But there is no clear proof of this.
The cottage was very important because the harbor was the center of Sydney life. The coxswains managed the government boats. These boats were used to transport timber, food, and other supplies. They also provided crews for the Governor's special boat.
Four different coxswains lived in the cottage:
- Bernard Williams (1807–1822)
- David Smith (1822–1823)
- John von Mangerhouse Weiss (1823–1826)
- John Cadman (1827–1845)
John Cadman lived there the longest. He was sent to Australia for horse stealing in 1798. He later received a pardon. John Cadman and his wife, Elizabeth, lived in the cottage until he retired in 1845. The cottage is named after him because he was such a well-known figure.
Water Police Headquarters (1846–1864)
After John Cadman retired, the job of government coxswain ended. The Water Police took over Cadmans Cottage. This happened around 1846 or 1849.
During this time, some changes were made to the building. An extra room was added to the southern side. This room was sometimes called the "keepers room" or "turnkeys room." It might have been used as a holding cell.
The Water Police found the building too small for their needs. So, a new police station was built nearby. But Cadmans Cottage was still used as a lock-up until about 1857.
Big changes happened to the harbor during this period. New wharves were built. This meant the water moved further away from the cottage.
Sailors' Home (1864–1970)
In 1863, there was a plan to build a home for sailors. The area next to Cadmans Cottage was chosen. Cadmans Cottage itself became the home for the manager of the Sailors' Home.
The land in front of the cottage was filled in and raised. This made the cottage lose its direct view of the harbor. A garden was created in front of it. Later, in the 1920s, the Sailors' Home was made bigger. The manager then moved into the main Sailors' Home building. Cadmans Cottage was then used to house visiting merchant sailors.
In the early 1900s, people started to care more about Australia's history. They wanted to save old buildings. Cadmans Cottage was recognized as an important historical site. It was listed as a historic building in 1950.
A Historic Site Today (1970–Present)
By 1962, Cadmans Cottage was empty and falling apart. In 1964, a large passenger terminal was built. This blocked the view of the cottage from the harbor.
In 1970, the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority took control of The Rocks area. Two years later, Cadmans Cottage was declared a Historic Site.
Restoration work began in 1972. The goal was to make the building look like it did in the early to mid-1800s. Some parts that had been added later were removed. The old corrugated iron roof was replaced with wooden shingles.
Today, Cadmans Cottage is home to the Sydney Harbour National Parks Information Centre. Visitors can learn about the park and the history of the cottage. It's a popular spot for tourists and school groups. It helps people understand Sydney's past.
What Cadmans Cottage Looks Like
Original Design (1816–1846)
Cadmans Cottage was built on a rocky shoreline. It was designed to look formal and official. It had special stone details like a dressed stone base and decorative stone pillars. The windows were made of wood and had many small panes of glass.
The walls were made of sandstone. The roof was originally made of wood shingles. At first, the building didn't have chimneys. Fireplaces were added about five years later.
The cottage was built in the "Old Colonial Georgian" style. This style was popular in England and was used for early government buildings in Australia. Georgian buildings often have a simple, rectangular shape and a balanced, symmetrical front.
An important addition was built on the southern side of the cottage. This was a single-story stone building. It was designed to match the original cottage. It had two tall arched openings. This addition was built sometime between 1835 and 1847.
Changes Over Time
When the Water Police took over, some changes were made. A doorway was cut to connect the original building to the new addition. Later, this doorway was filled in. A smaller fireplace was also added.
During the Sailors' Home period, the area around the cottage changed a lot. The land in front was filled in. This created more space but also moved the water further away. A timber lean-to was added to the northern end. A verandah and trellis were also added. These changes made the building look more like a cozy cottage. The roof was changed to corrugated iron.
In the 1972 restoration, the aim was to bring the building back to its earlier look. The timber lean-to and verandah were removed. The corrugated iron roof was replaced with wooden shingles again. The original main entrance was restored. This showed a stone carving with the letters "G. R." This means the building was built during the time of King George III.
Many internal changes were also made during this restoration. Some dividing walls were removed. New floors and ceilings were put in. The goal was to show the building as it was in its early, official days.
Why Cadmans Cottage is Important
Cadmans Cottage is a very special place for many reasons.
Historical Importance
- It shows how Sydney and its waterfront have grown and changed over time.
- It is the oldest building in The Rocks and one of the oldest in Sydney.
- It was a key part of the government's control over the harbor in early Sydney.
- It is linked to John Cadman, a well-known figure from early colonial times.
Design and Architecture
- The cottage is a great example of early Georgian architecture in Australia.
- It shows how a later addition was designed to fit well with the original building.
- It is a rare example of an early official government building.
Social and Community Value
- It has become a symbol of early Sydney.
- Its old-fashioned, comfortable look helps people feel connected to the past.
- It is a popular place for tourists and school groups to visit. They come to learn about Sydney's history.
- It helps tell the story of how Sydney grew and how the harbor changed.
Cadmans Cottage is a living piece of history. It helps us understand what life was like in early Sydney.
Images for kids
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The façade of Cadmans Cottage
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Captain William Bligh statue next to the house.
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Cadmans Cottage and Sydney Sailors' Home, located in the right background.
