Carthona, Darling Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carthona |
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Carthona, Darling Point, c. 1870 before the 1880s extensions at the back were made.
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| Location | 5 Carthona Avenue, Darling Point, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1841 |
| Built for | Sir Thomas Mitchell |
| Architect | George Allen Mansfield |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic Revival architecture |
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Carthona is a large, historic house located in Darling Point, Sydney, Australia. It's built in the Gothic Revival architecture style, which means it looks a bit like an old castle or a grand medieval building. The house is considered very important historically by the New South Wales Heritage Council.
Carthona was first built for Sir Thomas Mitchell and his family. He was a famous explorer and surveyor in Australia.
What Does Carthona Look Like?
Carthona is an amazing two-story mansion with cellars underground. It's built from sandstone, a strong, natural rock. The house has many pointed roofs covered in slate tiles. It also features castle-like walls and balconies. Tall, decorative chimneys stand out against the sky.
The windows on the ground floor have a pointed Gothic shape. Upstairs, the windows are flat and have shutters. Sir Thomas Mitchell built Carthona in 1841. It's believed he even carved some of the stone designs around the doors and windows himself!
Who Lived at Carthona?
The Mitchell Family: Explorers and Their Home
Sir Thomas Mitchell was born in Scotland in 1792. He joined the military and was very good at drawing maps of battlefields. In 1827, he moved to Sydney and became the Surveyor General of New South Wales. This meant he was in charge of mapping the land.
During the 1830s, Mitchell led three big trips into the Australian outback. In 1837, he went to England, published a book about his adventures, and was made a knight. He returned to Sydney in 1841 and bought land to build Carthona. The Mitchell family moved into their new home in 1845.
Soon after, Mitchell went on another expedition. His Aboriginal guide and friend, Yuranigh, briefly lived at Carthona. However, Yuranigh didn't like city life and soon left to work as a stockman.
Sir Thomas Mitchell died at Carthona in October 1855. He left the house to his daughter, Alice, who was only 16. Because of debts, his family had to rent out Carthona and move to a smaller home. Blanche Mitchell, his youngest daughter, wrote in her diary about how much she missed Carthona:
- "Oh! for one breath of cool Carthona air... Ah, then we were happy, at least I was, always looking forward into a bright future every day I thought would bring us more happiness"
The Misses Cooksey: A School for Young Ladies
After the Mitchell family, Carthona was rented by the Cooksey sisters, Catherine and Sarah. They were from England and had run a boarding school there. In 1858, they opened a boarding school for young ladies at Carthona.
Their first advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald said:
"The Misses Cooksey, having taken Carthona, the residence of the late Sir Thomas Mitchell, will be ready to receive their pupils on 26 January. For terms apply to the Misses Cooksey. Applications to be made at Carthona, Darling Point"
The sisters ran their school at Carthona until 1872. After they left, another lady, Mrs. Tait, also ran a boarding school there for a while.
Alice Mitchell, who inherited Carthona, lived in England after she married. In 1875, she put Carthona up for sale. The advertisement described the house in detail, mentioning its many rooms, large hall, drawing room, dining room, library, and kitchen. It also noted the stables, coachhouse, and servants' rooms.
The Allen Family: A Brief Stay
Arthur Mansfield Allen bought Carthona in 1880. He was a lawyer from a well-known Sydney family. He and his wife, Alice, had three young children when they moved in. Sadly, Arthur had poor health. They traveled to England twice hoping to improve it.
In 1885, Alice died at Carthona at age 35. Just three months later, Arthur also passed away. Carthona was then sold in 1886 to James Sutherland Mitchell. This Mitchell family was not related to Sir Thomas Mitchell. James bought it for his son, William Broadfoot Mitchell.
William Broadfoot Mitchell: A Sportsman's Home
William Broadfoot Mitchell moved into Carthona in 1887 after marrying Edith M Gore. He was a manager at his father's company, Tooth's Brewery. William was known for being a good sportsman and loved yachting.
Unfortunately, he also had health problems and died at the age of 49 in 1899. After his death, Carthona was put up for sale again.
Holmes Samuel Chipman: Supporting Soldiers
Holmes Samuel Chipman lived at Carthona between 1900 and 1902. He was from Canada and had many different jobs, including teaching and publishing. In Australia, he started a large business.
During the Boer War, while living at Carthona, he helped organize a fund to support Australian citizen soldiers. These soldiers became known as the "Bushmen’s Contingent".
Harry Rickards: The Theatre King
In 1902, Harry Rickards bought Carthona. Harry Rickards was a famous theatre owner and performer. He was born in London in 1843 and started his career as a singer. He toured many countries, including Australia.
Harry Rickards and his wife, Katie Angell, were both performers. In 1892, Rickards made Sydney his main base. He focused on owning and leasing theatres in Australia's capital cities. He owned the Sydney Tivoli Theatre. Every year, he traveled overseas to find new and exciting artists to bring to Australia. He was known for paying them very well.
The Rickards family lived at Carthona for two years. In 1904, Harry bought a nearby property and built a large new house called Canonbury.
Later Owners: From Pastoralists to Tea Magnates
- Marcus William Oldham bought Carthona in 1904 and lived there until 1911. He was a pastoralist, meaning he owned large farms for raising livestock. He later planned for his wealth to be used to create a training school for farming.
- Ernest Henry Charles Wunderlich bought Carthona in 1911. He was involved in dividing the land into smaller blocks for sale.
- Arthur Edward Hughes purchased Carthona in 1913 and owned it until 1939. He lived there until 1933, then rented it out. A famous guest during this time was Earl Beauchamp, who used to be the Governor of New South Wales.
- Philip Bushell bought Carthona in 1940. His family is famous for Bushell's Tea. The Bushell family has owned Carthona ever since. Philip Bushell also bought the waterfront gardens of a nearby property. Today, his grandson, Anthony, lives in the house, making him the third generation of the family to call Carthona home.
Images for kids
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Carthona, Darling Point, circa 1870 before the 1880s extensions at the back were made.
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Sir Thomas Mitchell, a famous explorer
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Blanche Mitchell, youngest daughter of Sir Thomas Mitchell
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Carthona and Lindesay on Darling Point around 1855
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A closer view of Carthona around 1855
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Holmes Samuel Chipman
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Harry Rickards
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Kate Rickards
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Carthona seen from Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay
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