Cooks' Cottage facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | 15 October 1934 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne, Australia |
Cooks' Cottage, also known as Captain Cook's Cottage, is a super old house in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne, Australia. It was built way back in 1755 in a small English village. This house belonged to the parents of the famous explorer, Captain James Cook.
Even though Captain Cook might not have lived there, he definitely visited his parents in this house. In 1934, an Australian named Sir Russell Grimwade bought the cottage and moved it all the way to Melbourne!
Today, when you visit, you can see old furniture and items from the 1700s. The people who guide you even dress in old-fashioned clothes from that time!
Contents
How Did the Cottage Get to Australia?
In 1933, the person who owned the cottage in England decided to sell it. At first, she wanted it to stay in England. But then, she agreed to let it be sold to someone in "the Empire," which included Australia.
An Australian named Russell Grimwade offered £800 for the cottage. This was a lot more than the highest offer from England, which was £300. So, the cottage was sold to Australia!
Moving the House Brick by Brick
Moving an entire house across the world is a huge job! The cottage was carefully taken apart, brick by brick. All 253 cases of bricks and 40 barrels of other parts were packed onto a ship called the Port Dunedin. It sailed all the way from England to Melbourne.
Even some ivy plants that grew on the house were brought along. They were planted again when the house was put back together in Melbourne.
A Gift to Victoria
Sir Russell Grimwade was a very generous businessman. He gave the cottage as a gift to the people of Victoria. This was to celebrate Melbourne's 100th birthday in October 1934.
The cottage quickly became a very popular place for tourists to visit. In 1978, more work was done to make sure the cottage looked just like it did in the 1700s.
The Cottage Garden
Around the cottage, there's a beautiful English cottage garden. This garden helps make the whole place feel like you've stepped back in time.
Most of the items inside the house are not from the Cook family themselves. However, all the furniture and decorations are like what people would have had in their homes during that time period.
Gallery
See also
- Stewart Park, Middlesbrough – This is where Captain James Cook was born.
