Monteith, Glebe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monteith |
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Monteith_Glebe_Point_Road_Glebe.jpg) |
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| Location | 266 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1890– |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Queen Anne |
| Official name: Monteith | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 592 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Monteith is a beautiful old house located at 266 Glebe Point Road in the Glebe area of Sydney, Australia. It was built way back in 1890. This special house is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of history and needs to be protected. It was added to this list on April 2, 1999.
Contents
Discovering Monteith's Past
Monteith has a rich history, connected to the wider story of Glebe itself. Let's explore how this area and the house came to be.
Glebe's Early Days
Long ago, the Wangal Aboriginal people lived in the Leichhardt area, which includes Glebe. After Europeans arrived in 1788, many Aboriginal people sadly died from diseases like smallpox. They also lost their hunting grounds and moved further inland.
The first official land given to a European in Glebe was a large area of 400 acres. This was given to Reverend Richard Johnson, who was the colony's first chaplain, in 1789. This land was called a "Glebe," which means land set aside to support a church minister.
The area had rolling hills, sandstone cliffs, and creeks. There were also large swampy areas. The ridges had lots of eucalyptus trees, while the swamps had mangroves and blackwattles. Blackwattle Bay got its name from these blackwattle trees. Early settlers hunted kangaroos and emus here, calling it the "Kangaroo Ground."
How Glebe Grew
For many years, Johnson's land wasn't really developed. But in 1828, the Church and School Corporation divided it into 28 smaller pieces. They sold most of these pieces, but kept the middle section where the Glebe Estate is today.
Wealthy people liked the sea breezes on the point of Glebe and built fancy villas there. Closer to Broadway, industries like slaughterhouses were set up. Smaller houses for working-class families were built near these industries.
In the late 1800s, Glebe started to change. Wentworth Park opened in 1882. It was first used for cricket and lawn bowls, and later for rugby. Dog racing began there in 1932. As the city grew, many of the large villas in Glebe were divided into boarding houses. Wealthier families moved to new suburbs that were easier to reach by train.
By the 1960s, Sydney was changing from an industrial city to one with more office jobs. Younger professionals wanted to live closer to the city. This led to a new interest in saving old buildings and areas, which helped start the heritage conservation movement.
Monteith's Family Story
Monteith was built after 1890 for the Cotter family. John Henry Cotter, his wife Margaret, and their six sons moved into the house after 1894. They lived there until the 1930s.
Margaret Cotter was an artistic person. She chose soft colours for their home, which was different from the bolder colours often used in Federation style houses today.
The Cotter family faced sadness, as four of their sons died. Two sons, John and "Tibby", died in World War I in Palestine. Two others, William and Norman, died in accidents. Despite this, Monteith was a happy family home. Many celebration dinners were held there, especially for Tibby's cricket tours.
Tibby Cotter: A Cricket Hero
Tibby Cotter was the youngest son and a famous Australian cricketer. He was known as a fast bowler. During World War I, he served as a stretcher bearer for the Australian Light Horse. Sadly, he was killed in the Charge at Beersheba, Palestine, in 1917. His grave is well-known to cricket fans around the world. A book about his life, Tibby Cotter: fast bowler, larrikin, Anzac, was published in 2012.
After Margaret Cotter passed away in 1936 (or 1938), her two remaining sons, William and Norman, lived in the house until the early 1950s. William died in 1950, and his daughter sold the house around 1952.
Monteith's Later Life
For many years, Monteith was used as a nursing training college. Later, it became part of the Sydney College of the Arts, run by the NSW Department of Technical Education.
In the late 1990s, the property was divided again. Glen Scott bought the house to turn it back into a single family home. In the 1970s, the house had more garden plants in front, and its colours were closer to the original ones.
Protecting Monteith
Monteith is a protected heritage site. This means its important features are kept safe. Over the years, some parts of the property were changed or removed. For example, old stables were taken down when the area was redeveloped.
When Mr. Scott bought the house, some parts of it needed repair. The NSW Department of Public Works & Services fixed these areas before the sale was completed. Even with some changes, the house and its remaining garden are still very important. They help us understand the history of Glebe and the special architectural style of the house.
What Monteith Looks Like
Monteith is a large, two-storey house made of brick. It sits on a rectangular piece of land on the western side of Glebe Point Road.
The Garden
The house has an established garden, mostly on its east and north sides, with several mature trees. Over time, the land around Monteith has been divided into smaller lots. So, the garden is smaller than it used to be. There's a small front garden facing Glebe Point Road, with old trees and shrubs on the northern side.
The house is quite close to Cotter Lane on its southern side. The back garden area is larger but has been changed a lot over the years. Some old structures, like the stables, were removed. Even so, the back garden still has a curving brick path, a large fig tree, and a palm tree.
The House Style
The house is built in the Federation Queen Anne style. This style was popular in Australia around the time Monteith was built. It often features decorative brickwork, tall chimneys, and a mix of materials.
Condition and Changes
As of 2012, the house was in good condition. Over the years, Monteith has seen several changes:
- Around 1890: The house was built.
- 1930s: The land was divided.
- 1958: The land was divided again.
- 1970s: A rear balcony was added.
- 1971 onwards: The house was used as a nursing college, then part of the College of the Arts. Some new buildings were added at the back for student rooms and offices, but these have since been removed.
- Late 1990s: The property was divided again, and Glen Scott bought the house to make it a single home.
- Around 2000: A triple underground garage was built at the back.
- 2001-2002: A swimming pool was built over the roof of the underground garage.
Why Monteith is Special
Monteith is a very important heritage site. It's significant for several reasons:
- Historical Importance: It's linked to the Cotter family, especially the famous Australian cricketer "Tibby" Cotter. It also played a role as part of the NSW College of Nursing and the Sydney College of the Arts for many years. It's one of the beautiful old mansion houses that used to line Glebe Point Road.
- Beauty and Design: The house is a great example of the Federation Queen Anne style. Its design and grounds add to the lovely streetscape of Glebe Point Road.
Monteith was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, ensuring its protection for future generations.
