Reynolds' Cottages facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reynolds' Cottages
Reynolds' Cottages, pictured in 2014
Location	28-30 Harrington Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1830
Built for	Thomas Ryan
Architectural style(s)	Colonial Georgian
Owner	Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Reynolds's Cottages; currently Gumnut Cafe (No. 28).
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	10 May 2002
Reference no.	1573
Type	Cottage
Category	Residential buildings (private)
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Reynolds's Cottages are old buildings in The Rocks, Sydney, Australia. They are special because they are heritage-listed, meaning they are protected for their history. These cottages were built way back in 1830 for a person named Thomas Ryan.

Today, you can find shops and even a cafe called Gumnut Cafe at number 28. The buildings are owned by Property NSW, which is a part of the Government of New South Wales. They were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on May 10, 2002, because they are so important to history.

A Journey Through Time

These cottages were likely built between 1823 and 1829. Before that, the land was a garden for the Assistant Surgeon's House. Thomas Ryan had them built.

Originally, the cottages were quite simple, with just one room deep. They were bought by William Reynolds in 1830. Most homes for working people back then were made of stone. This was because there was a lot of sandstone nearby.

William Reynolds was a ship smith. He built more small houses in the area. Some were in a courtyard behind the cottages. These extra houses were later taken down in the 1880s.

In 1845, records show that William Reynolds' children owned the cottages. They rented out the five houses. Numbers 28 and 30 were stone houses with two floors. Each had four rooms and outdoor toilets. Number 32 was different, as it was made of timber.

The cottages continued to be rented out over the years. Many different families lived there. For example, John Scoles, a labourer, lived at No. 28 from 1866 to 1875. Later, Joseph Day, a sailor, and his wife Mary Ann, a laundress, lived there.

In the early 1900s, a serious illness hit Sydney. This led to many old parts of the city, like The Rocks, being cleaned up or demolished. But Reynolds' Cottages stayed standing.

In 1901, the Sydney Harbour Trust took over managing the area. The buildings continued to have tenants. The Rocks area was known for its working-class residents.

Later, in the 1930s, the Maritime Services Board became the landlords. The cottages remained homes for many people. However, in the 1970s, things started to change.

The Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority (SCRA) took over in 1970. The buildings slowly changed from homes to businesses. In 1976, a shop selling old items opened at No. 28. A tea room followed in 1978. The Gumnut Tea Garden, which is now the Gumnut Cafe, started around 1982. Numbers 30 and 32 were homes until 1984. After that, they also became retail shops.

The Mysterious Well

There's an old well behind 30 Harrington Street. No one is exactly sure when it was dug. The land used to be part of a garden. Old maps don't show any wells in the area.

However, wells were often not marked on maps. So, it doesn't mean it wasn't there. It's very likely the well was dug when the cottages were built. This was probably between 1823 and 1829.

Archaeologists studied the well in 1987. They found old items that date before 1850. This suggests the well is very old. Around 1850, rooms were added to the back of the cottages. Two toilets were built right over the well!

What Do They Look Like?

The front of Reynolds' Cottages (Nos. 28-30) shows a style called Colonial Georgian. This style is known for being balanced and orderly.

The cottages have a pointed roof covered with metal sheets. A shared brick chimney stack is in the middle. The walls are made of rough sandstone blocks. You can see that the two cottages were built at different times. This is clear from how the stone blocks join at the shared wall.

Each cottage has a simple front door in the middle. It has four panels and a brass doorknob. On each side of the door, there is a window with six panels and shutters. These windows have a flat stone lintel above them. The windows on the second floor look exactly the same.

The well is in the backyard of 30 Harrington Street. The top part of the well has been fixed with original stone. Later, bricks were added around the well. Half of this structure is under the back wall of 30 Harrington Street. An iron railing fence protects it. The top of the well is sealed off.

Condition of the Cottages

As of 2000, No. 28 needed some repair work. The cottage at No. 28 Harrington Street is very well preserved. It shows how it developed from 1823 to 1860.

Archaeologists found that the well was under two toilets built in the 1850s. They dug up the well in 1987. This helped them learn more about the site's history.

Why Are They Important?

Reynolds' Cottages and their land are very important to the history of New South Wales. They are special because they show how buildings were made in the early days of the colony. They are rare examples of small Colonial Georgian architecture.

The buildings still have many parts from when they were first built. They show how people lived in the 1800s and 1900s. They also show how building methods and materials changed over time. The cottages fit well into the interesting streetscape of Harrington Street. They add to the historical feel of The Rocks.

The well behind 30 Harrington Street is also historically important. It shows how people got water long ago. It also shows how they dealt with waste later on. The brick-lined well is a sign of early settlements. It proves that people have lived in this area for a very long time. The well and the items found inside it can teach us a lot about early life here.

Reynolds's Cottages were listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on May 10, 2002. This means they meet certain important standards.

• They show the history of New South Wales.

The cottages show how The Rocks area changed from the 1820s to the 1990s. They reflect the simple nature of early homes. They also show how society and the economy changed. The site still has signs of earlier times, like the well. Reynolds' Cottages are rare examples of small Colonial Georgian buildings. They are two of the oldest homes in The Rocks. Only Cadman's Cottage is older.

• They are linked to important people or groups.

The site is connected to Colonial Architect, Francis Greenway. It is also linked to the Terry family, who owned a lot of land back then. William Reynolds and his children, along with other local landowners, are also part of its story.

• They are beautiful and show great skill.

The cottages are a good example of small Colonial Georgian architecture. This style is now rare in Sydney. The buildings still have many parts from their first construction. They also show how they were changed over time. They keep their original look and Colonial Georgian features.

• They are important to the community.

The cottages add a lot to the special character of The Rocks. This area is highly valued by local people and visitors.

• They can help us learn more about history.

The cottages and the open area next to them are very important for learning. They have a lot of archaeological potential. They still hold clues about how the site was used over time. The well and the items found in it can teach us a lot about early life in this area.

• They are rare or endangered.

The cottages at 28-30 Harrington Street are two of the oldest surviving homes in The Rocks. Only Cadman's Cottage is older. They are also one of the few examples of small Colonial Georgian architecture left in Sydney.

• They show key features of historical places.

The cottages show what early living standards were like. Number 28, in particular, shows how it developed from 1823 to 1860.