Calthorpes' House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calthorpes' House |
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| General information | |
| Status | Used as a museum |
| Type | Residence |
| Address | 24 Mugga Way |
| Town or city | Red Hill, ACT |
| Country | Australia |
| Completed | 1927 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ken Oliphant |
| Architecture firm | Oakley and Parkes |
| Official name: Calthorpes House | |
| Designated: | 25 March 1986 |
| Reference #: | 13374 |
Calthorpes' House is a special old house in Red Hill, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. It is located at 24 Mugga Way. This house is important because it shows us what life was like a long time ago.
It was built in 1927 for a family named Harry and Dell Calthorpe. Harry Calthorpe worked in a business that helped people buy and sell land and farm animals. The house was designed by an architect named Ken Oliphant. His company, Oakley and Parkes, also designed The Lodge, which is where the Prime Minister of Australia lives. Another architect, Sir Charles Rosenthal, was first chosen, but his plans were not used.
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A Look Inside Calthorpes' House
What Makes This House Special?
Calthorpes' House is like a time capsule. It shows us what a family of four's home looked like in Canberra in the late 1920s. The house has three bedrooms. It is a bit bigger than most homes from that time.
Over the years, the house has stayed mostly the same. This makes it a great place to learn about history. It helps us understand how people lived almost 100 years ago.
The Calthorpe Family's Story
Harry Calthorpe passed away in 1950 when he was 59 years old. His wife, Dell Calthorpe, continued to live in the house. She stayed there until she passed away in 1979.
The Calthorpe family and historians knew the house was very important. They saw its value as a place to teach others about the past. They thought it could become a museum.
From Home to Museum
In late 1984, the Government of Australia bought Calthorpes' House. It was then opened as a museum in 1986. Today, it is still a museum where visitors can explore and learn.
The Air Raid Shelter
Behind the house, there is an old air raid shelter. This shelter was built during a war. It was made to protect people if bombs were dropped on Canberra. It is still there today, showing a piece of wartime history.
Why Calthorpes' House is Important
A Heritage-Listed Treasure
Calthorpes' House is officially recognized as a "heritage-listed" site. This means it is a place with special historical value. It is protected so future generations can enjoy and learn from it.
The house was added to the Australian Capital Territory Heritage Register in 1996. It was also added to the former Register of the National Estate in 1986. These listings show how important the house is to Australia's history.
