Cumbooquepa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cumbooquepa |
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Cumbooquepa, 2008
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| Location | 253 Vulture Street, South Brisbane, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | George Henry Male Addison |
| Official name: Somerville House, Brisbane High School for Girls, Cumbooquepa | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600305 |
| Significant period | 1890s–1910s (historical Stephens family) 1920s–1930s (historical school) 1942–1944 (historical WWI |
| Significant components | classroom/classroom block/teaching area, residential accommodation – housing, garden/grounds, library – building |
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Cumbooquepa is a very old and special house in South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is part of Somerville House, a well-known girls' school. This beautiful building was designed by an architect named George Henry Male Addison and was built in 1890. It is so important that it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
History of Cumbooquepa
Cumbooquepa is a large house built in 1890. It sits on a hill overlooking the Brisbane River. The land where it stands was bought in 1856 by Thomas Blacket Stephens. He was a politician, newspaper owner, and businessman. He also became Brisbane's second mayor.
Stephens first built a timber house called Cumbooquepa on the property. He passed away in 1877. His oldest son, William Stephens, then took over the family's property. William was also a politician and businessman. He was the first mayor of South Brisbane.
In 1890, the Stephens family moved into a new house. This new house was designed by GHM Addison. It was built on a higher part of the land. The first timber house was taken down in 1890. This was to make way for a new railway line. The Stephens family lived in this second Cumbooquepa house until the early 1900s.
The house stayed with the family until 1919. Then, a group called the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association bought the property. They wanted it for the new home of the Brisbane High School for Girls. In 1920, the school was named Somerville House. This name honored Mary Somerville, a famous Scottish scientist.
Constance Elizabeth Harker and Marjorie Kate Jarrett were important leaders at the school. They were co-principals from 1909 until Miss Harker retired in 1931. They helped improve education for girls in Queensland.
A new two-story building for classes was added in 1920. It was designed by architects Chambers and Powell. Later, in 1926, an extension was built. This part included a gym and science labs.
A library building was opened in 1935. It was designed by Thomas Brenan Femister Gargett. This library was a memorial to CE Harker. It was made bigger in 1939–40 to include an art studio. The old library has special stained glass windows by William Bustard. It was likely the first library built just for a girls' school in Queensland. Today, this building is used as a chapel.
In early 1942, during World War II, Somerville House became a headquarters for the US Army. TBF Gargett, who was an architect for the US Army, helped change the school buildings for army use. The school moved to a different location during this time. It reopened in South Brisbane in January 1945.
Since World War II, more classrooms and sports facilities have been built. A five-story science building was also added. The Constance Harker Hall was built in the 1970s. It has an old pipe organ from 1888.
What Cumbooquepa Looks Like
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Somerville House includes many buildings and gardens. It is on a large piece of land shaped like a triangle. This land is bordered by Vulture Street and the railway line. The main buildings on Vulture Street are Cumbooquepa and the old library/studio building.
Cumbooquepa is a single-story house made of brick and timber. It has tiled roofs. It is on the highest part of the land, looking over the Brisbane River. The house was built to look grand from the city side. The front of the house has many fancy decorations. The other sides are simpler.
The house is made of red brick. It has timber verandahs on the sides and back. It was first shaped like an "E." The long front part connects three sections. These sections are built around two courtyards with verandahs. The middle section has the entrance, living rooms, dining room, and kitchen. The side sections were used for students who lived at the school and staff.
The front of the house is very balanced. It has rounded sections on the corners. These are connected by columns to a central entrance with a small tower. This front part is decorated with arches, pediments, and fancy brickwork. These parts are painted to stand out from the red brick.
The main entrance area has two rounded rooms. One was a meeting room, and the other was a study. There is also a central entrance hall and porch. These rooms have painted walls and plaster ceilings. They also have beautiful timber details. The entrance hall has a tiled floor. Its lower walls are covered in timber panels.
Special stained glass windows are found in the entrance hall. They are in two fanlights and tall arched spaces. These windows show characters from Shakespeare's plays. A timber staircase in the hall leads up to the tower room. The study has fancy built-in timber bookshelves and a fireplace.
The dining room is behind the entrance hall. It has painted walls with timber panels. The ceiling is curved and paneled with diagonal timber boards. This room looks out onto both courtyards. It has more stained glass windows and fancy timber over the doors. It also has built-in timber furniture and two fireplaces.
People move around the building using the wide verandahs and walkways. These areas are now enclosed. The back parts of the courtyards, which used to be open, are now closed off by brick bathroom sections. The house has six brick chimneys, some of which are very decorative.
The old library/studio building, now a chapel, is lower down the hill. It is built between the driveway, Vulture Street, and the railway line. This building is made of brick with painted details. It has pointed roofs and looks like an old English church.
The front of this building has four stained glass memorial windows. These were made by a Brisbane artist named William Bustard. The inside of the building has been changed. A new entrance was added at the back.
All these buildings at Somerville House are made of red brick with painted details. They form a beautiful group of buildings. They stand out on the hill above the historic area near South Brisbane Memorial Park.
Why Cumbooquepa is Special
Cumbooquepa was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is very important for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed.
Cumbooquepa helps us understand the history of education for girls in Queensland.
- It is a rare and special example of Queensland's heritage.
Cumbooquepa is a unique example of a large house from the late 1800s. It is special because of its amazing design, beautiful inside, and how it stands out as a landmark.
- It is beautiful to look at.
The school buildings have many beautiful features. This includes the design of the old library building. The stained glass and timber work in Cumbooquepa are also very high quality. The way the buildings and gardens are arranged together is very pleasing. The wall and garden also add to the beauty of the street. The whole place is a landmark in the city.
- It has a strong connection to a community.
Cumbooquepa has a special connection with the Brisbane High School for Girls.
- It is linked to important people and groups in Queensland's history.
Cumbooquepa is connected to the Stephens Family, CE Harker, MK Jarrett, and the US Army. It also shows the important work of Brisbane architects GHM Addison and TBF Gargett, and artist William Bustard.
