Merchant's House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merchant's House |
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Merchant's House, pictured in 2019.
The narrow building on the left of the image is 45 George Street; with 43 George Street at right of image. |
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| Location | 43-45 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1848 |
| Architect | John Bibb |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Merchants House; Counting House (former); (Merchant's) | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1561 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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The Merchant's House is a special old building in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, Australia. It was built in 1848 and designed by John Bibb. This building has had many lives! It started as a home and office for a merchant, then became a museum, and even a boarding house where people could rent rooms. Today, it's an education centre and offices.
This important building is officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design. It's owned by Property NSW, a government agency.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Merchant's House
The area where Merchant's House stands has a long history. Early buildings here included a hospital and homes for important people. One of the first people to lease this land was Captain Waterhouse around 1800. He was a naval captain who even brought the first merino sheep to Australia!
Robert Campbell and Early Land Use
Later, a merchant named Robert Campbell took over the land leases. He was a very successful trader who helped develop Sydney's port. Campbell built warehouses and wharves nearby. He eventually gained full ownership of the land where Merchant's House is now.
Even though Campbell owned the land, no buildings were shown on maps until 1843. Campbell decided to sell off parts of his land to raise money. This was during a tough economic time in New South Wales in the early 1840s.
Building the Merchant's House
In 1841, Campbell sold a block of land to John Martyn and James Combes. They were plumbers, painters, and glaziers. They built a three-storey building at 47 George Street. Later, in 1846, they bought the neighbouring land (where 43-45 George Street is).
Martyn and Combes then built the Merchant's House at 43-45 George Street. It was finished by September 1848. They described it as a "newly erected stone built premises" with a comfortable home and large storage areas. It had stone walls, three floors, and a slate roof.
Early Occupants and Businesses
The builders, Martyn and Combes, intended to rent out the buildings. Sydney's port was getting busier, and investing in trade buildings was a good idea. The first known people to live and work at 43-45 George Street were Lawrence and Steven Spyers, who were merchants.
Later, John Martyn himself lived in the residence from 1859 until he passed away in 1864. After his death, many different people and businesses used the building. It was suitable for respectable businessmen and even light industries like soap manufacturing.
Edward Row and Company
From 1876, a company called Edward Row and Co. moved in. They were wholesale and manufacturing chemists. They made their own products and packaged others for sale. One of their main products was "Row's Embrocation," a dressing for animal cuts that people also used. They also made cordial, soap powder, and vinegar.
Edward Row and Co. stayed in the building for a long time, until 1924. This shows how useful the building was for both living and working.
Government Ownership and Changes
In 1902, the government took control of the building. This happened because of a bubonic plague outbreak in Sydney in 1900. The government wanted to redevelop old areas like The Rocks to improve health and modernize the port. Even though many houses were knocked down, Merchant's House continued to be used.
The Sydney Harbour Trust took over the property in 1927. They managed many properties in The Rocks.
Life as a Boarding House
In 1928, Merchant's House became a boarding house. This meant people could rent rooms there. Mary Grady was the first person to lease it as a boarding house. Her granddaughter, Joan Cubis, even lived there from 1928.
During World War II, from 1941 to 1942, the building was used to house sailors from the Indian Navy. They stayed there while their ships were being prepared. After the war, it went back to being a boarding house, with the Auguston family holding the lease until 1985.
Modern Use and Conservation
After 1985, the building stopped being a boarding house. It was recognized as a very important historic building. From 1991 to 1994, a lot of work was done to restore Merchant's House to how it looked around the 1840s.
For a short time around 1994, it housed the National Trust Toy Museum. Later, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) used it for educational programs. Today, it continues to be used for historical education, helping young people learn about the past.
What Merchant's House Looks Like
Merchant's House is a beautiful example of a 19th-century townhouse and office. It has five levels, including a basement kitchen, a dining room on the ground floor, and bedrooms upstairs.
Architectural Style
The building is designed in the Greek Revival style. This means it has features inspired by ancient Greek architecture. You can see this in the water leaf designs on the stone brackets, the fanlight above the front door, and the strong cornices (decorative tops of walls).
Inside, there's a lovely timber staircase and other original details. The layout is typical of homes from the late Georgian period, with separate areas for cooking, dining, and sleeping.
Condition and Changes Over Time
The building is still very much intact, meaning most of its original parts are still there. There's even evidence of changes made when it was a boarding house.
Over the years, some additions were made to the back of the building, like a timber extension and a corrugated iron structure. These were likely used by Edward Row's manufacturing business. In the early 1900s, some parts were renovated, and more changes were made in 1928 and 1934 when it became a boarding house.
During the recent conservation work in the 1990s, some parts were updated for fire safety. For example, a store area was turned into a fire escape.
Why Merchant's House is Special
Merchant's House is very important for its history and unique design in New South Wales.
A Glimpse into the Past
This building is one of the best examples of a late Georgian period townhouse that still exists in New South Wales. It shows us how wealthy merchants lived and worked in Sydney in the 1800s. The fact that the home and business were connected tells us a lot about how people lived back then.
It also shows how The Rocks area changed over time. From a busy maritime trading hub to a place with light industries, and then to a residential area with boarding houses. The building survived the big changes that happened after the bubonic plague outbreak in 1900.
Important People and Businesses
Merchant's House is connected to Martyn and Combes, the builders who were well-known plumbers and painters in Sydney. It's also strongly linked to Edward Row & Co., the chemists who occupied the building for many years. Their famous "Row's Embrocation" product was even advertised on the building itself!
Beautiful Design and Rarity
The design of Merchant's House is an excellent example of the Greek Revival style in Australia. It has beautiful details like the stone brackets, the fanlight, and the elegant timber staircase. The drawing room on the first floor is especially rare because it's still so original, with its plasterwork and fireplace.
It's rare to find a building like this that combines a merchant's residence with an attached store from the 1840s. It helps us understand the architecture and lifestyle of that time.
Learning from the Building
The Merchant's House is a valuable resource for learning about Sydney's history. Experts have studied the building and the ground around it to understand how the site developed and how people lived there. It helps us understand the lives of its past residents.
This building is truly unique and helps us understand the cultural history of New South Wales. It's a rare and outstanding example of its kind.
