Cintra House, Maitland facts for kids
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Cintra House
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Quick facts for kids General information |
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| Architectural style | Victorian Filigree, Victorian Italianate |
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| Location | 34 Regent Street, Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1878–1879 |
| Architect | Buildings and extensions: John Wiltshire Pender; Garden: Mr R Culbert (Sydney landscape architect) |
| Official name: Cintra – House, Garden and Stables | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 31 August 2012 |
| Reference no. | 01892 |
| Type | Villa |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | House, Stables, Fence & Garden – Robert James; 1887 Ext. – H Noad; Underground water tanks – I Morris |
Cintra House is a historic mansion in Maitland, Australia. It is famous for its beautiful design and has been a private home and even a hospital. Built in 1879, it is an important landmark in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it is protected for its historical value.
Contents
History
A Grand Family Home
Cintra House was built for a man named Benn W. Levy in 1878. He was part of the Levy and Cohen families, who were successful Jewish merchants. The house was designed by a well-known local architect, J. W. Pender.
A few years later, in 1887, Benn Levy moved to London. His cousin, Neville Cohen, took over the house. The Cohen family hired the same architect to build extensions. The house grew from 23 rooms to a massive 31 rooms! The new wing included a billiard room, extra bedrooms, and a bathroom.
From Hospital to Home Again
In 1917, the Cohen family sold Cintra to the Long family. Five sisters from the Long family decided to turn the huge house into a private hospital. It served the community from around World War I until the late 1930s. Nurse Eileen Long was in charge of the hospital.
After the hospital closed, Cintra became a private home again. Richard and Yvonne Long took over in 1965 and began restoring the house to its original glory. The Long family has taken great care of the house, its garden, and its history.
The Families Behind the House
The Levy and Cohen families were very important in Maitland and beyond. Their company, David Cohen & Co., was a major business that sold all kinds of goods. They helped the town of Maitland grow and prosper.
The families were also known for being very generous. They supported charities, hospitals, and their local Jewish community. They even helped build the first synagogue in Maitland. Their success allowed them to build amazing buildings like Cintra House.
What Cintra House Looks Like
The Mansion's Exterior
Cintra is a large, two-story house built in a style called Victorian Italianate. This style was popular in the late 1800s and is known for being grand and decorative.
One of its most striking features is a three-story tower that stands 14 metres tall. The house has beautiful balconies with fancy cast-iron railings and tall, elegant columns. The ironwork features a design of grape vines and leaves. The house is built from brick and covered in a smooth render, with a roof made of slate tiles.
Inside the House
The house has 31 rooms, including a cellar and an attic. The rooms are very spacious, with high ceilings and beautiful woodwork made from cedar. Many rooms have marble fireplaces and large French doors that open onto the verandas.
There are several staircases, but the main one in the entrance hall is especially grand. It has carefully crafted wooden posts and railings. The house was very modern for its time. It even had hot and cold running water in the bathrooms and a huge underground water tank system.
The Historic Garden
Cintra still has its original garden layout, which is just as impressive as the house. When you enter through the iron gates, you see a heart-shaped lawn with a driveway looping around it. The garden is filled with plants that were popular in the Victorian era, like palms and bird-of-paradise flowers.
The property also has large, mature trees, including Bunya Bunya pines, jacarandas, and Moreton Bay figs. A gravel driveway leads to the back of the property where the stables are located. There was once a summer house for relaxing in the garden, but it has since been taken down.
The Stables Building
At the back of the property is a two-story brick building that housed the stables and coach house. The ground floor had space for a carriage, a harness room, and stalls for horses. Upstairs, there was a room for a groom to live in and a loft for storing hay.
Why Is Cintra House Important?
Cintra House is a special place for many reasons. It is a state heritage site, which means it is protected because of its importance to the history of New South Wales.
- Amazing Architecture: It is an outstanding and almost perfectly preserved example of a Victorian Italianate mansion. It shows the incredible skill of its architect, J.W. Pender.
- A Snapshot of History: The house, garden, and stables look much like they did over 100 years ago. This makes Cintra a rare treasure that teaches us about life in the late 19th century.
- Important Family History: It is connected to the Levy and Cohen families, who played a big role in the business and community life of the Hunter Region.
- A Landmark: Cintra House is a famous landmark in Maitland. Its beauty and history make it a source of pride for the local community.
Because it is so well-preserved, Cintra is considered a "benchmark" property. This means it is a perfect example that other historic buildings can be compared to.
