Oldholme facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oldholme |
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| Location | 12 Wallis Street, East Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1835–1839 |
| Official name: Oldholme; Government cottage; Denny Day's cottage; Bonnie Doon | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 136 |
| Type | Other - Government & Administration |
| Category | Government and Administration |
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Oldholme is a very old and important house in East Maitland, Australia. It was built between 1835 and 1839. This historic home has also been known as Government Cottage, Denny Day's Cottage, and Bonnie Doon. It is now a protected heritage site, listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 1999.
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A Home Through Time
Oldholme stands on a site that has been important for a long time. In the early days of the Maitland settlement, a simple building was here. It was a place for important visitors, like governors, to stay.
Early Government Cottages
Governor Macquarie visited this spot in 1818. He stayed in the first simple building. When he returned in 1821, a new and better building had been built. This second cottage was named Lachlan Cottage. It was named after the Governor's son. Maps from 1829 show this site as "Government Cottage".
A third Government Cottage was built in 1827. Governor Bourke stayed there during his visit in 1833. This cottage was likely close to where Oldholme stands today.
The Current Oldholme
The Oldholme house we see now is the fourth building on this site. It was built between 1835 and 1839. This house was used by the Maitland Police Magistrate. One famous magistrate who lived here was Denny Day.
Magistrate Denny Day's Story
Magistrate Denny Day was born in Ireland in 1801. He joined the Army but retired due to poor health. He moved to Sydney in 1834. Day became the police magistrate in Maitland in 1836. He lived in what was then called Government Cottage.
Day became well-known for his work. He helped capture people involved in the Myall Creek massacre in 1838. This event was when a group of stockmen harmed Aboriginal people. Day arrested 11 men, and seven were later punished. This was a very important moment in history. It was the first time white men were punished for harming Aboriginal people.
Day also caught the "Jewboy Davis" gang in 1840. This gang of bushrangers had been causing trouble in the Hunter region. Day led a search party and captured them. The bushrangers were found guilty and punished.
Oldholme's Later Years
Important visitors, like Governor Gipps, also stayed at Oldholme. He visited in 1839 and 1843. At that time, the house was sometimes grandly called "Government House".
In 1843, part of Oldholme's verandah was enclosed. A kitchen was also added to the back of the house. After serving in other roles, Denny Day returned to Maitland in 1858. He lived at Government Cottage again and renamed it "Oldhome".
Edward Denny Day was the first private owner of the house. His family owned it until about 1920. In the early 1950s, Robert and Alice Blackman bought the house. They called it "Bonnie Doon". The Blackmans lived there for over twenty years. They even rented out some land for farming. Later, parts of the property were sold for new homes.
In 1975, D. J. and M. F. Benson bought Oldholme. They started to restore the house. In 1977, Dr. Lionel Fredman, a lecturer from the University of Newcastle, purchased the property. Oldholme became a protected heritage site in 1981. It was officially added to the State Heritage Register in 1999.
What Oldholme Looks Like
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Oldholme is a beautiful old house. It sits on large grounds with old trees. These include the Bunya Bunya pine and the Moreton Bay fig.
The house itself is a single-story brick cottage. It was built in the Georgian Colonial style. It has two main rooms and a verandah on three sides. The verandah roof is made of iron. It is supported by cast iron columns. One part of the verandah has been filled in with bricks.
The front door has six panels. It has fancy decorations around it. Above the door is a special window called a fanlight. On each side of the door are two large windows. These windows have triple opening sashes. They are protected by wide timber shutters. At the back of the house, there used to be a separate kitchen. This area has now been changed.
Why Oldholme is Special
Oldholme is a very important historical building. It is a single-story brick cottage built around 1838. It was originally a residence for important visitors and governors of New South Wales. This house replaced earlier cottages on the same site. The first cottage was built in 1816.
The location of Oldholme is significant. It shows where official settlement began in the area. The current house was visited by Governor Gipps. It was also the home of Police Magistrate Denny Day. Day was known for his role in the Myall Creek Massacre case. He also captured the Jewboy Davis gang.
Because of its rich history, Oldholme was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
