La Trobe's Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Trobe's Cottage |
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La Trobe's Cottage in Kings Domain, Melbourne
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| Etymology | Charles La Trobe |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Architectural style | Pre-separation colonial Georgian |
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°49′54″S 144°58′34″E / 37.831599°S 144.975983°E |
| Current tenants | National Trust of Australia (Victoria) |
| Completed | 1839 |
| Official name: La Trobe's Cottage | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 13 April 1995 |
| Reference #: | 4729 |
| Type: | Residential buildings; museum |
| Category: | Registered place |
| Builders: | Manning of London; and others |
La Trobe's Cottage is a very old house in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was built in 1839 for Charles La Trobe and his family. Charles La Trobe was the first leader of the Port Phillip District, which later became the state of Victoria.
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Building a Historic Home
The cottage was special because it was built from parts made in England. These parts were shipped to Australia and put together on a large piece of land in Jolimont. This area is now near the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
When Victoria became a separate colony in 1851, La Trobe became its first Lieutenant-Governor. Even though a bigger house was planned for him, he stayed in this cottage with his family. He lived there until he returned to England in 1854.
Why La Trobe's Cottage is Important
The cottage is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. This means it is very important for its history, social meaning, and architecture. It is one of the few old houses built from pre-made parts that still exists today. It helps us understand how people lived in early colonial times.
The cottage still has some of La Trobe's family belongings inside. The dining room, which La Trobe added, is thought to be the oldest part of a building still standing in Melbourne. The house's style is called Pre-separation colonial Georgian.
The Cottage's Journey and Preservation
Over the years, La Trobe's Cottage faced many changes and challenges. It was owned by different people and was almost demolished several times.
Threats and Rescue Efforts
By 1914, the cottage was owned by a company called Bedggood and Company. They made boots and wanted to knock down the cottage to make their factory bigger. However, groups like the 'Early Pioneers Association' stepped in. They wanted to save the cottage because it was an important piece of Australian history.
The Bedggood family agreed to delay demolition. Important people, including the Premier and the state governor, visited the site. They talked about the cottage's history. Daniel Bedggood, the owner, promised to give parts of the building to the government as a historical relic. He also planned to use some materials to build something in his own garden.
Sketches and Damage
In 1924, Charles La Trobe's grandchildren gave the state of Victoria some old pencil sketches of the cottage. These drawings were made by Edward La Trobe Bateman, La Trobe's cousin. They showed what the cottage and its gardens looked like when the family lived there. Later, more drawings of the cottage from 1842 or 1844 were also donated.
In 1935, a big thunderstorm damaged the old cottage. Rain ruined the ceiling of the dining hall, and parts of the roof blew off. The owners, Bedggood and Co., repaired the damage to help preserve the building.
Moving the Cottage
In March 1942, during World War II, there was a plan to demolish the cottage. The space was needed to build an air raid shelter for factory workers. A part of the cottage was taken down. The Bedggood family sadly agreed to this, but they tried to keep the front part of the cottage if possible.
Bricks from the demolished parts of the cottage were even turned into doorstops and sold to raise money for the Red Cross. Other items like windows, doors, and wall sections were also sold.
Before the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, people noticed the cottage was in poor condition. The roof was rusty, and the walls were dirty. The owner, Horace Bedggood, said they left it looking old because it was an antique. He also mentioned that architects warned it might fall apart if they changed it too much.
New Home and Museum
In December 1963, La Trobe's Cottage was officially opened at its new home in Kings Domain. It was moved again a short distance later and is now located near Dallas Brooks Drive. Moving and rebuilding the cottage was an early example of saving an important old building.
Today, the cottage is mostly a reconstruction, but it does contain some original parts, including one wall. It is now run as a museum by the National Trust of Australia. You can visit it to learn about early Melbourne history and how Charles La Trobe lived.
See also
- Charles La Trobe
