Grossmann House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grossmann House |
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Grossmann House, 2017
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| Location | 71 Church Street, Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1860–1862 |
| Owner | National Trust of Australia (NSW) |
| Official name: Grossman House; Brough and Grossmann House Group; Maitland Girl’s High School; Grossmann House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 1 March 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1499 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | Isaac Beckett and Samuel Owen |
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Grossmann House is a special old building in Maitland, New South Wales. It used to be a home and later a school. Now, it's a museum where you can learn about the past. It was built between 1860 and 1862 by Isaac Beckett and Samuel Owen.
Grossmann House is owned by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). It's right next to Brough House, which is also owned by the National Trust. Both houses are very important to New South Wales history and are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
Contents
A Look Back: Grossmann House History
During the 1800s, Maitland was a very important town in the Hunter Valley region. It started as a camp for convicts who cut down trees. Soon, people realised the soil was very good for farming. By the 1840s, Maitland was the main town in the area, even bigger than Sydney at one point! It became a busy place for trade, providing goods and services to farms nearby.
Building the Houses
It was during this busy time that two local business partners, Samuel Owen and Isaac Beckett, built their homes. They started their business together in 1838. However, they didn't build their houses, Brough House and Grossmann House, until 1860.
Owen and Beckett were general merchants. This means they sold many different things, like clothes, wool, wine, and tobacco. In 1860, they built Grossmann House and Brough House. They chose a spot near the railway and away from floods, across from St Mary's the Virgin Anglican Church.
Isaac Beckett, his wife Caroline, and their daughter Sarah lived in Grossmann House starting in 1860. After Isaac Beckett passed away in 1880, the house went to his wife, and then to his son, Thomas Cooper Beckett.
From Home to School
In 1890, the property was sold to J. D Prentice. Then, in 1893, both Grossmann House and Brough House were bought by the government's Department of Public Infrastructure. They wanted to use the houses for a Girls' High School. The school was named after its first headmistress, Jeanette Grossmann. She was the principal from 1890 to 1913.
Becoming a Museum
In 1963, Grossmann House was given to the Hunter Regional Trust. The idea was to turn it into a house museum. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) helped decorate the inside. They filled it with items from the 1860s to show how people lived back then. The top floor also has a simple place for a caretaker to stay.
In 1966, the National Trust took over the property. They opened the house for everyone to visit. The Department of Education still owned the house at that time. The National Trust made an agreement to use the property.
The Rose Garden
The beautiful rose garden at Grossmann House was planned and planted in 1973. Members of the Hunter Valley Rose Society helped create it. The garden looks much the same today as it did when it was first planted.
The goal wasn't to plant only roses from the 1870s. Instead, they chose older types of roses that would bloom many times throughout the year. They picked different kinds of roses, including some from China. These types grow better in Australia than European roses. The roses came from Ross Roses Nursery in South Australia.
In 1978, the State Government added Grossmann House to a special area for old buildings. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) became the official managers of the property.
In 1986, the front verandahs of the house were fixed up. Basic kitchen and bathroom facilities were also added for the caretaker. In 2000, a stone memorial was placed in the rose garden by the family of Drs. John and Wilga Abrahams.
In 2014, more people visited Grossmann House. There were fundraising events, "open days," and walking tours. A grant from the NSW Government helped paint the outside of both Brough and Grossmann Houses. They were painted matching colours, just as they were planned to be over 140 years ago.
What Grossmann House Looks Like
Isaac Beckett and Samuel Owen built Grossmann House and its neighbour, Brough House, between 1860 and 1862. These two businessmen were strong partners. This is why their two-storey Victorian houses look exactly the same and are built right next to each other.
House Design
The houses are built mostly from local red sandstone bricks. They also have nice details using buff sandstone, painted cast iron, and timber. Large verandahs at the front and back were a key part of the design. The roof is a hipped roof, which means it slopes down on all sides. It is covered with corrugated iron.
Inside, the house is planned well. It's easy to move around, and the main rooms are spacious. The front doors actually lead into a central hallway. The house stretches along Church Street, making the most of the verandahs and views. The original wooden parts inside are made of cedar. The other inside parts, like plaster, tiles, and wooden floors, are kept simple.
The gardens were quite large. The laundry building is placed right in the middle of both properties. This simple, rectangular building has a wall inside. This wall divides the space, giving each house its own semi-private laundry area.
The Rose Garden Today
The rose garden was planted in 1973 and still looks much the same. The idea was to choose older types of roses that would bloom often. These included roses from China, which grow well in Australia.
In 2003, a map from 1976 was used to check the roses. More than 60% of the original roses were still there after 30 years! Today, there are 33 different types of roses. 27 of these were part of the 1973 plantings. Some of the roses were even developed around the time Grossmann House was built, like "Zepherine Drouhin" (1868). This is a climbing pink rose that has no thorns. "Paul Neyron" (1869) is called "the cabbage rose." "Louise Odier" is very fragrant and is said to be used in a French perfume. "Aimee Vibert" (1828) was one of the first roses brought to Australia. In 2013, the Hunter Valley Rose Society offered to help take care of the rose garden. More new types of roses have been added since then.
Condition of the House
Grossmann House is in good physical condition. It is mostly unchanged from when it was built.
Why Grossmann House is Important
Grossmann House is a large Victorian house. It forms an interesting pair with its twin, Brough House, next door. Both houses have been mostly restored to their original look. They were built by business partners and show an impressive set of homes from the 1860s. The history of these two buildings is very interesting. They show the lives of the first owners and their later use as part of the Maitland Girls' High School.
Grossmann House was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 1 March 2002. This means it is officially recognised as a very important historical place.
Showing History
Grossmann House helps us understand the history of public education in New South Wales. It also shows how rich and important Maitland was in the 1800s. Its location, between the railway station and High streets, was very important for trade. The way the houses are designed also shows how towns developed back then.
Beautiful Design
Grossmann House is a key part of Maitland's old town look. It stands out with St Mary's Church, large fig trees, and other old homes and gardens. It is on Church Street, right next to St. Mary's Church. Grossmann House looks just like its neighbour, Brough House. These two Victorian-style houses show the grand homes of that time. They remind us of a time when Maitland was very successful. Because of this, the house adds a lot of beauty and history to the street and the whole area.
Community Connection
Grossmann House is important to the community. It has been a school, a museum, and an art gallery. This long connection with the public makes it a special place that many people know and use.
Learning from the Past
Grossmann House can teach us a lot about what life was like in Maitland long ago. As a museum, it helps us understand how people lived in the 1800s. It also connects well with other old buildings nearby.
A Rare Find
Grossmann House is a rare and well-preserved Victorian townhouse. It gives us an accurate look at the 1800s through its furniture and architecture.
A Great Example
These properties are excellent examples of 18th-century architecture. They are two identical Victorian townhouses that are still in great condition. The furniture inside also shows what life was like back then. Their long connection with the Education Department is also very important.
