Everglades, Leura facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Everglades
Everglades, pictured in 2016
Location	37 - 49 Everglades Avenue, Leura, City of Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
Area	5.2 hectares (13 acres)
Elevation	940 metres (3,080 ft)
Built	1915–1938
Architect	Paul Sorensen (in collaboration with Henri van de Velde?) (garden) Paul Sorensen (house attributed)
Owner	National Trust of Australia (NSW)
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Everglades; Everglades Gardens
Type	State heritage (landscape)
Designated	1 March 2002
Reference no.	1498
Type	Garden Residential
Category	Parks, Gardens and Trees
Builders	Ted Cohen
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Everglades is a famous heritage-listed property in Leura, Australia. It used to be a home, art gallery, and cafe, but now it's a popular place for tourists to visit. People come to see its beautiful house and amazing gardens.

The garden was designed by a talented landscape gardener named Paul Sorensen. He might have worked with Henri van de Velde on the design. The house design is also thought to be by Paul Sorensen. The whole property was built between 1915 and 1938 by Ted Cohen. It's also known as Everglades Gardens. Today, the National Trust of Australia (NSW) owns and looks after this special place. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on March 1, 2002, which means it's officially protected for its history and beauty.

A Look Back in Time

How the Blue Mountains Grew

For a long time, the Blue Mountains were a natural barrier, stopping people from exploring further into Australia. But in 1813, three explorers – Blaxland, Wentworth, and Lawson – successfully crossed them. This opened up a huge new area for settlement.

Soon after, a road was built, and then a railway. By the 1870s, it became very popular for wealthy families to buy holiday homes in the mountains. The air was much cooler here in summer than in Sydney. Villages like Leura grew to serve these holiday homes, which often had large European-style gardens.

The Story of Everglades

The name "Everglades" was used for this property even before Henri van de Velde bought it in 1933. The land had been part of a bigger estate in Leura since the 1880s.

A woman named Georgina Stonier built her large home here in 1915-1916. She chose this spot because it had amazing views, just like the house the van de Veldes would build later. Georgina Stonier was the one who first named it "Everglades." She also started shaping the land, clearing some bush, planting exotic trees and fruit trees, and building terraces and a driveway with stone walls.

So, when Henry and Una van de Velde bought the property in 1933, it wasn't an empty piece of land. Many people before them had already started to make it special.

Henry van de Velde, born in Belgium in 1875, was a wealthy and energetic businessman. He owned a company that made "Feltex" floor coverings.

Creating the Everglades Estate

Henry van de Velde loved visiting the mountains. In 1932, he decided to buy Everglades, which had been an orchard damaged by a bushfire. Almost right away, he started talking with Paul Sorensen about designing a garden. The project grew, and Sorensen ended up designing the house too!

Van de Velde spent every weekend working tirelessly in the gardens. He even got his guests to help! Sorensen believed that Van de Velde spent a huge amount of money on Everglades. He called him the greatest supporter of landscape gardening in Australia.

Paul Sorensen (1890-1983) began his landscape training in Copenhagen in 1902. He learned from Lars Nielsen, a top Danish horticulturist. Sorensen even worked at the summer home of Queen Alexandra of Denmark.

In 1914, Sorensen moved to Australia. He worked as a gardener at the Carrington Hotel in Katoomba. By 1917, he had started his own nursery and garden design business in the Blue Mountains.

In 1933, Sorensen met Henri van de Velde. Van de Velde was encouraged to buy Everglades and hire Sorensen. At Everglades, Sorensen made sure to highlight the amazing views of the Jamison Valley below. He built terraces that followed the natural slope and took advantage of the views. He didn't want the huge views to overpower the garden itself.

Sorensen believed that the shape of a garden was more important than just its colors. He thought many Australian gardens focused too much on color and forgot about good design. He also did something unusual for his time: he kept native plants like banksias and eucalyptus in the garden. Since it was hard to find native plants at nurseries then, he often used exotic plants he knew from Europe. He got many of these from his own nursery or imported them from around the world.

Sorensen always saw trees and shrubs as the most important parts of a garden. He placed them to create a sense of mystery, making you wonder what was hidden behind them. He also thought about how the garden would change over time. He wanted to create a landscape that would look beautiful at different stages and eventually reach a natural balance, needing less maintenance. This idea of planning for long-term change was very new when Sorensen started his work.

Building the garden was incredibly difficult. There were no heavy machines back then. All the earthworks and moving heavy stones were done by hand! Luckily, it was during the Great Depression, so many people were available for work, even if they weren't skilled.

Sorensen's first step was to decide which parts of the site were most important to keep. He marked existing trees to save them, only removing those that were misshapen or damaged. He knew the dramatic views over the Jamison Valley were special. The distant cliffs and dense eucalyptus forest, softened by the Blue Mountains' famous blue haze, were truly inspiring.

Sorensen decided not to make this grand view part of the formal garden. Instead, he limited the intense garden development to the area that had been an orchard. This meant you couldn't see the full view from the formal terraces. This might seem strange, but it was part of Sorensen's plan. He wanted to create an element of surprise. When you finally reached the lookout points, the view would be even more delightful. He also realized that the grandeur of the valley was so immense that anything he built would seem tiny next to it. Trying to make it a main feature of the formal garden might take away from both the view and the garden itself.

Another big challenge was the thin, rocky soil. The Blue Mountains' spectacular cliffs and rugged scenery, while beautiful, made gardening very hard. The whole area is made of sandstone. This sandstone has iron oxide, which gives it rich, dark red or purple bands. These ironstone layers are much harder than the surrounding stone. When the softer stone erodes, the ironstone is exposed in amazing shapes. The soil from this rock is very sandy, lacks nutrients, and is full of hard ironstone pieces.

Sorensen turned this problem into an advantage. He had the entire cultivated area dug by hand, about 60 to 90 centimeters deep. All the ironstone found was removed and sorted by quality and color. This stone was then used to build the garden's walls. The stone walls at Everglades show incredibly high-quality craftsmanship. In many places, Sorensen left small pockets in the walls where he could plant shrubs to soften their look. These walls created terraces filled with soil, stepping down the slope to the lookout point. The garden continues down to the Grotto Pool, which was created by placing a huge 40-ton rock in its current spot.

Sorensen continued to maintain the gardens even when new development wasn't happening. Work on the garden continued, with a break during World War II, until Van de Velde died in 1947.

After Van de Velde's death, the property was sold a few times. Eventually, the National Trust bought it in 1962. During the years of private ownership, the garden slowly started to decline because it didn't have an enthusiastic owner or Paul Sorensen's constant care. Everglades was one of the first properties the National Trust ever bought, and the first with a garden. Members were invited to visit from 1962 onwards.

Everglades Today: Managed by the National Trust

Since 1962, the National Trust has worked hard to preserve Everglades. They tried different ways to make the property financially stable. For example, the squash court became part of the "Studio Terrace," and they held exhibitions there and in the house. Sorensen was even hired again in 1974-1975 to create a new azalea garden.

From 1981 to 1987, the Blue Mountains City Council leased the property. They hired Sorensen again to replant and thin out some areas. The Council also set up a creative arts center there in 1982, and more people started visiting.

Sadly, in 1983, a bronze statue called "Boy with a thorn in his foot" was stolen after almost 50 years in the garden. Another sculpture of Pan also went missing. The Trust has been trying to find them or replacements ever since.

In 2011, the National Trust started raising money to get a new "Boy" statue. Luckily, they heard an exact copy was being auctioned in Melbourne. Thanks to donations, the Trust was able to buy it! On July 28, 2012, the new "Boy with a thorn in his foot" statue was put back in its place under the Japanese maple tree in the courtyard, just like the original had been since the 1930s. The original "Boy" or "Il Spinario" is a bronze copy of a very old statue from the 1st century BC, now in Rome.

Today, theatre performances are held in the garden theatre. The annual January Leura Shakespeare Festival often sells out at Everglades. The Leura Garden Festival is a huge event, bringing around 5,000 visitors over nine days. There's also a continuous program of art exhibitions from September to May each year, which is becoming more and more popular. Everglades, along with the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Woodford Academy, is also part of the Blue Mountains Winter Magic street festival, which attracts over 30,000 people!

Exploring Everglades

The beautiful Everglades garden in 2012.

The Amazing Garden

Everglades is hidden from the street by a low stone wall. The house isn't visible from Everglades Avenue. The driveway starts at the highest point of the property. It was tricky to build because the land slopes steeply. Sorensen solved this by making the driveway curve along the upper part of the land. It then sweeps down through the garden, passing open lawns, flower beds, and huge rhododendron bushes. Finally, it goes around the back of the house to the garages underneath.

To the left of the upper drive, huge rocks rise from the soil, forming an alpine garden. To the right, beyond the formal lawn and flower beds, stone walls create a series of hidden terraces that step down the slope. You can only guess they are there by seeing the tops of mature trees peeking over the walls.

Everglades has many rare trees for the Blue Mountains area. Sorensen searched many nurseries to find the perfect plants. Many were imported just for Everglades, some from as far away as Holland, and many more from New Zealand. Other plants came from Victoria, Australia.

From the studio, you can't see the garden theatre. It's only when you get to the southern end of the terrace that you discover it. The backdrop for this theatre is a reconstructed red sandstone entrance porch. This porch came from the London Chartered Bank of Australia building in Sydney, which was built in 1866 and taken down in 1938. It was carefully moved to Leura and rebuilt as the theatre's backdrop. The archway of the porch is framed by tall Bhutan cypress hedges, trimmed neatly to form the "wings" of the stage area.

Another large terrace is at the same level as the ground floor of the house. A grass and stone paved courtyard is formed by the shape of the house and matching stucco walls. An arched opening connects this courtyard to the terrace, focusing your eye on a large stone urn at the far end. Other openings in this wall have beautiful Art Deco wrought iron grilles, also designed by Sorensen. The courtyard was meant to display classical sculptures that Van de Velde collected on his travels. Sadly, some of these have been stolen or broken over the years.

When you leave the courtyard through the archway, you cross a stone-paved area. Then, a wide set of shallow steps leads down to the main terrace. This terrace has a large, smooth lawn lined with weeping Japanese flowering cherry trees. These trees have been replaced over time.

A lower terrace is reached near the lower driveway. Here, the formal terraces and exotic plants blend into the natural bushland.

The pathways become less formal as they lead down to the lookout point. This spot offers wide views over the Gordon Falls valley and out into the Jamison Valley. From here, one path goes down past a fern-covered cliff face, rich in ironstone, and ends at the Grotto Pool. This pool fits so perfectly into its surroundings that it's hard to believe it wasn't always there. A waterfall feeds the pool, with its water flowing across the southern side of the property. The other path from the lookout goes through the bushland to a simple wooden bridge. This bridge spans the watercourse just above the falls, giving you another view of the Grotto Pool.

As you follow the path from the bridge, the garden changes again. You'll see gentle, grassy slopes with deciduous trees like maples, poplars, and birch. The path then loops back, climbing a hill through drifts of rhododendrons and azaleas, leading you back to the driveway.

The Main House

A look inside the Everglades house in 2016.

The house is made of stone and has three floors: a basement, a ground floor, and a first floor. It sits on a steeply sloping site. The roof is made of terra cotta tiles, and the walls are brick with a Mediterranean-style stucco finish. The windows are steel-framed.

The outside of the house has been painted, and the gutters and downpipes have been replaced. The walls are a biscuit color, the gutters are Venetian red, and the windows are black. The roof tiles are a bronze color but are covered with lichen.

Inside, the floors are a mix of concrete and timber. They were originally covered with carpet. The internal walls are plastered. Some rooms have a smooth finish, while others have a textured finish. The ceilings are plastered and have different levels of decoration, from simple in hallways to fancy Art Deco designs in the living rooms and bedrooms.

Most rooms still have their original carpet, which is in good condition. Where the carpet has been removed, the floorboards are painted a glossy jade green. The bathrooms are very well preserved and are a special part of the house, with their spacious layout and unique style.

The Studio

The Studio building is located near the front gate, high up against the northern boundary. It opens onto the swimming pool terrace. This building clearly shows the influence of the European Modern Movement, with hints of styles like Bauhaus. Old photos show it was furnished with beautiful imported furniture.

It's a great example of 1930s modern style, with wavy bands on the outside and roof lights that brightened the squash court. The squash court area originally had no windows, presenting a plain wall to the garden. Windows added later are not in keeping with the original design. The inlaid timber floor inside is still intact. Originally, the building was elegant, simple, and practical. The squash court was on the ground floor, with a gym above it. A small washroom served the squash court, gym, and swimming pool.

The Log Cabin

The charming log cabin at Everglades in 2016.

This is a classic rustic building, often found in large gardens. It's built with a timber frame covered with specially cut planks. It has two rooms with a central chimney that holds a fireplace and a stove. It's in good condition.

The Brick Shelter

This small brick building with a clay shingle roof appears in very old photos of the garden. Its exact purpose isn't known, but it's a beautifully detailed structure that adds to the garden's charm. It's in good condition and is currently used as an information center for the garden.

In late 2008 and early 2009, important work was completed at Everglades. This included repainting the inside of the house in its traditional colors, upgrading pathways, and creating new information materials for visitors. This work was funded by a $100,000 grant.

Why Everglades is Special

Everglades is considered very important because it's a mostly untouched example of a modernist garden. It shows how garden design developed in Australia. It's also thought to be the most important garden designed by Paul Sorensen, a famous garden designer, who worked with the owner, Henri van de Velde. It has a unique and rich collection of plants from all over the world.

The property also tells us about Henri van de Velde, who was an important businessman before World War II. It's a great example of a mountain retreat, showing how people lived during that time. The garden is also highly valued by the local community for its beauty. The way it was built, especially the stone walls, shows amazing skill and design quality. The house is special because it's one of the few buildings thought to be designed by Paul Sorensen. Its interior design is also very well done. The studio building is an important part of the garden and an early example in Australia of how European Modern Architecture influenced design.

Everglades was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on March 1, 2002, because it meets several important criteria:

• It shows how history unfolded in New South Wales: Everglades is a great example of a modernist garden, showing the early work of Paul Sorensen and his collaboration with Henri van de Velde. It also shows what life was like in a mountain retreat during that period.
• It's connected to important people: It has strong links to Henri van de Velde, a key businessman, and Paul Sorensen, a famous garden designer in NSW.
• It's beautiful and shows great skill: The garden's design is exceptional. It has many different areas, all connected by the unique ironstone walls. Near the house, there are formal terraces with statues. Other parts of the garden blend more naturally with the bushland. The rich variety of plants, the use of local ironstone, the way natural rocks and native trees are included, the carefully planned plantings, and the use of ornaments like vases and statues all make it very beautiful. The design of the house, studio, garden theatre, water features, and decorative iron grilles also show high quality.
• It's important to the community: Everglades might have helped start the Leura Gardens Festival and influenced the creation of other high-quality gardens in the Blue Mountains. It's also been a popular place for the public to visit since the 1930s, and especially since the National Trust opened it full-time in the 1960s.
• It can teach us new things: Everglades can help us understand how modern design ideas from Europe in the early 20th century came to Australia for both houses and gardens. It can also help us learn about the different skills and contributions of Henri van de Velde, Paul Sorensen, and others who created this complex and high-quality place.
• It's rare or unique: The house is one of only a few buildings believed to be designed by Paul Sorensen. The garden is a rare, large, and mostly untouched example of a modernist garden design in NSW, showing European styles of the time.
• It represents a type of important place: Everglades is a great example of a high-quality mountain retreat from its time. It also represents a large and detailed modernist garden design with functional buildings.

Gallery

See also

• Australian residential architectural styles
• Paul Sorensen (landscape gardener)