Caroline Chisholm Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caroline Chisholm Cottage |
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| Location | 3 Mill Street, East Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1831–1835 |
| Official name: Caroline Chisholm Cottage; Maitland hospital; East Maitland Immigrants' Home; Maitland Benevolent Asylum; Caroline Chisholm Barracks (fmr.) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 500 |
| Type | Cottage |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | John Smith |
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The Caroline Chisholm Cottage is a very old house in East Maitland, Australia. It was built a long time ago, between 1831 and 1835. This cottage is special because it was once used by a famous helper named Caroline Chisholm. She used it to give shelter to immigrants who needed a place to stay. Later, it even became the first hospital in the area! Today, it's a heritage-listed building, which means it's protected because of its important history.
History of the Cottage
Early Days in East Maitland
The town of East Maitland was planned in 1828. It was meant to be a central place for people living in the area. The cottage was built by a man named John Smith. He built it between 1831 and 1835. It was part of a group of five small houses. These houses were rented out to working-class people.
Caroline Chisholm's Immigrant Home
In March 1842, Caroline Chisholm rented two of these cottages. These two cottages are the only ones left today. She turned them into the East Maitland Immigrant's Home. It was a place where homeless immigrants could stay. These immigrants had traveled to the Hunter region looking for work.
Caroline Chisholm was born in England in 1808. She believed in helping others. When she was 22, she married Captain Archibald Chisholm. She only agreed to marry him if she could continue her charity work. The Chisholms came to Australia in 1838. Caroline spent her time helping immigrants, people without jobs, and those who were homeless.
From Home to Hospital
In November 1842, the building changed again. It became the first hospital in the area. It was called the Maitland Benevolent Asylum. But the hospital quickly became too busy. By October 1843, the services moved to a new location. The Immigrants' Home continued to operate at the cottage for at least ten more years.
Protecting the Cottage's Heritage
In 1985, the owner of the cottage wanted to move it. They planned to put it in a historic park. But the local community wanted to keep it where it was. They talked to the Heritage Council. After discussions, the council decided to protect the building. A special order was made on March 27, 1987. On April 2, 1999, the cottage was officially added to the State Heritage Register.
The cottage was in poor condition in 1985. But a new owner restored it in the mid-1990s. Now it is well-preserved.
What the Cottage Looks Like
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The Caroline Chisholm Cottage is a single-story house. It has walls made of sandstone. The floors and roof frames are made of timber. The original roof was timber shingles. These have been covered with corrugated iron.
The cottage has four rooms at the front, facing Mill Street. There's an old kitchen area on one side. A newer kitchen is in the middle on the other side. There's also a bathroom in one corner.
The rooms are connected by simple doorways. There are no long hallways. You can enter the building from two places. These entrances are on the north and south ends of the front porch. This porch has a timber frame and a corrugated iron roof.
There is also a large double door on the back of the building. It opens out into the garden.
The cottage is very simple. It doesn't have much fancy decoration. Only a few details around the fireplaces and doorframes show any style. The windows are also very plain. This shows that the house was built cheaply. It was made for people who didn't earn much money.
Changes Over Time
- 1831–1835: The group of five cottages was built. They were rented to working-class families.
- March 1842: Caroline Chisholm rented two cottages. She turned them into the East Maitland Immigrant's Home. Some changes were likely made for this new use.
- April 15, 1854: The land was divided. John Smith sold the property where the cottage stands today.
Why the Cottage is Important
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The Caroline Chisholm Cottage is important for many reasons. It is closely linked to Caroline Chisholm. She was one of Australia's most important women pioneers. She rented the cottages to help homeless immigrants. This cottage is the only known building still standing that was used by Caroline Chisholm.
It is also one of the oldest buildings in the area. It shows how working-class people lived in Maitland a long time ago. The cottage was also the site of Maitland's first hospital in 1842 and 1843.
The way the cottage was built is also interesting. It shows how cheap houses were made in rural New South Wales in the 1830s.
The Caroline Chisholm Cottage was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. It met several important requirements:
Showing Historical Patterns
The cottage shows how history unfolded in New South Wales. It is important because of its strong connection to Caroline Chisholm. She was a great Australian pioneer. She rented the cottages to shelter homeless immigrants. The cottage is one of the oldest buildings in the area. It helps us understand how working-class people lived in Maitland back then. It was also the site of Maitland's first hospital. The cottage was likely built for workers at the nearby Smith's Flour Mill.
Providing Historical Information
The way the cottage was built is scientifically interesting. It is an example of a cheap house. It shows how buildings were made during the early development of country towns in New South Wales in the 1830s.
Being Unique or Rare
This cottage is currently the only known building still existing that was connected to Caroline Chisholm. This makes it very rare and special.
See also
