Nutcote facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nutcote |
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| Location | 5 Wallaringa Avenue, Kurraba Point, North Sydney Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1924–1925 |
| Built for | May Gibbs |
| Architect | B. J. Waterhouse |
| Owner | The Nutcote Trust Pty Ltd and North Sydney Council |
| Official name: Nutcote; May Gibbs house | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 505 |
| Type | Cottage |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | F. J. Gray |
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Nutcote is a special house in Kurraba Point, Sydney, Australia. It used to be the home and art studio of a famous Australian author and illustrator named May Gibbs. Today, it's a museum and education center where people can learn about her life and work.
The house was designed by an architect named B. J. Waterhouse and built between 1924 and 1925. It's also known as May Gibbs house. The local government, North Sydney Council, now owns the property. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999 because of its important history.
Contents
The Story of Nutcote
Nutcote was the much-loved home and studio of May Gibbs. She was Australia's first woman cartoonist and is famous for her wonderful children's stories and drawings.
Who Was May Gibbs?
May Gibbs was born in England in 1877. When she was young, her family moved to Australia, first to South Australia and then to Western Australia. May loved exploring the Australian bush on her pony. She showed a talent for drawing from a young age. She traveled to England a few times to study art before starting her career as an illustrator in 1905.
The Birth of Gumnut Babies
May Gibbs created her famous "gumnut babies" characters in 1913. People loved how she used Australian flowers and leaves in her art. Her first Australian books, Gum Nut Babies and Gum Blossom Babies, came out in 1916.
In 1919, May married James Ossoli Kelly. They moved to a flat in Kurraba Point, North Sydney, before finding the perfect spot for their new home.
Building a Dream Home
May's mother helped her find the land for Nutcote in 1922. It was right on the edge of Sydney Harbour. May told her architect, B. J. Waterhouse, that she wanted a house that was "compact, convenient, and charming." Waterhouse was a popular architect at the time.
The house was finished in 1925, and May was 48 years old when she moved in with her husband. Nutcote was designed especially for May's art studio and to fit her way of life. She loved her garden and often found her best ideas while working there.
In 1928, a garage was added to the property, also designed by Waterhouse. May used her car to visit places like the Blue Mountains, which inspired her artwork.
Life at Nutcote
May Gibbs lived at Nutcote for 44 years. She created her popular "Bib and Bub" comic strip there from 1924 until 1967. Her garden became a huge source of inspiration for her work, especially from the 1950s onwards. She also drew ideas from the bush she knew as a child in Western Australia and from around Sydney.
After her husband passed away in 1939, May lived a quieter life. She continued to create new books, including Scotty in Gumnut Land (1941) and Prince Dandelion (1953). May Gibbs lived at Nutcote until shortly before her death in 1969.
Saving Nutcote
After May Gibbs passed away, she left the rights to her work to charities that helped children with disabilities. She wanted Nutcote to go to United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), but they couldn't own property. So, the house was sold in 1970.
Later, some owners wanted to knock down the house and build new homes on the land. In 1987, May Gibbs' relatives and friends formed the May Gibbs Foundation. They started a big campaign across Australia to "Save Nutcote for the Nation."
A Community Effort
The community worked hard to save the house. Even though there were plans to build townhouses on the land, a special order was put in place to protect the cottage and part of its garden.
In 1988, the North Sydney Council decided to buy Nutcote and let the May Gibbs Foundation turn it into a museum. This was a huge win for everyone who wanted to preserve May Gibbs' legacy.
Nutcote Today
The North Sydney Council bought Nutcote in 1990. The house was carefully restored to look like it did in the late 1920s and early 1930s. This period was chosen because there were many photos and diaries from that time to help with the restoration.
On May 1, 1994, Nutcote officially opened as a museum. It is now open to the public from Wednesdays to Sundays, allowing visitors to step into May Gibbs' world. In 2021, Nutcote was one of the first places in New South Wales to receive a "blue plaque," which celebrates important people and places in history.
What Nutcote Looks Like
Nutcote is a single-story house built on a gentle slope leading down to the water. It has brick walls painted a terracotta color and a tiled roof.
The House
The house has a balcony with arches and iron railings that look out towards the water. The windows have wooden shutters. The front door is set back in a simple entrance. The house has a classic Mediterranean style and includes eight rooms, a veranda, and a porch. There's also a basement with a laundry and another bedroom.
The Garage
Near the front of the property, there's a rectangular garage. It has brick walls, a tiled roof, and wooden windows and doors. The front has two sets of folding wooden doors.
The Gardens
The gardens slope down to the water's edge. There are areas with natural sandstone and native plants. Below the cottage, there's a concrete terrace and stairs leading down to a grassy area. Closer to the road, the garden still shows signs of its original "cottage garden" style, with some old plants and hedges. There are also brick paths leading to the house.
Images for kids
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Nutcote, the home of May Gibbs
