Rosedale Cottage facts for kids

The Rosedale Cottage is a historic house located on Mount Street in Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia. It was built a long time ago, between 1845 and 1850. This special house is owned by a private family. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, which means it's an important part of history that needs to be protected.

The Story of Rosedale Cottage

The first part of Rosedale Cottage had five rooms. It was likely built between 1845 and 1850. The land it sits on, about 300 hectares (740 acres), was given to George Hall in 1840.

The original cottage was made of brick. It had a strong base of sandstone. The corners and window frames were also made of sandstone. The front porch, called a verandah, was made of sandstone too. The roof was first covered with wooden shingles. Later, it was changed to corrugated iron. Inside, the walls were brick, covered with plaster and wallpaper. The floors were wooden boards. The ceilings had different styles, including metal tiles and wooden planks.

The Wilson Family Era

In 1883, William Wilson bought the property. His family owned Rosedale until 1935. During their time, many big changes happened to the house. The Wilson family was large and seemed to be quite wealthy. They had several servants and often hosted many guests.

The Wilson family was very generous. They gave away the southern part of their land. This land became "Wilson Park," a place for everyone to enjoy. They also donated land for the "Wilson Memorial Hospital."

Most of the house's additions were built during the Wilson family's time. These new parts were made of timber frames on wooden stumps.

• The first addition was probably in the 1890s. A bay window was added to a room. This room was likely used as a sitting room.
• A dining room was also added. A middle verandah was built next to it.
• The kitchen area was connected to the dining room by a covered walkway.

The second major addition was the eastern wing. This part was likely built around 1901. A separate wooden building was put next to the kitchen. This building was used as a dormitory for the five Wilson sons. It was known as "the boy's room."

Other buildings on the property included:

• A meat house near the old dining room.
• An office east of the boys' room.
• A dairy room for milk products.
• A small room called "the factory" where they made preserves.
• Further north, there was a hayshed, a shed for buggies, stables, a woolshed, milking areas, and a poultry shed.

The Wilson Family Garden

During the Wilson family's time, the garden was beautiful.

• Grapevine trellises grew behind the house and along the eastern wing's verandah.
• There was a fernery north of the sitting room.
• A flower garden was near the eastern wing and the boys' room.
• A vegetable garden was close to the well.
• Fruit trees grew west of the buildings.
• An orchard was located near Little Street.

The main path to the house led through a large gate. A picket fence ran from the kitchen towards the sheds. A line of kurrajong trees grew along this fence. There were no palm trees back then. However, a pine tree stood at the southwest corner. The flat land south of the house was used to grow lucerne, a type of plant. There was no fence near the house on its southern side.

W. A. Wilson passed away in 1913. After his wife, Emelie Wilson, died in 1923 or 1928, their daughter Muriel lived in the house. The property was sold in 1935. In 1930, the land was divided. The property became much smaller, about 30 hectares (73 acres). The Parkin family then bought Rosedale Cottage.

Changes by the Parkin Family

Under the Parkin family's ownership, more changes were made.

• A new kitchen and entrance were built between the dining room and the bay window room.
• The old kitchen area was taken down.
• A small bedroom in the original brick part of the house became a bathroom.
• The eastern wing was turned into a separate apartment.
• The western end of the boys' room became a laundry.
• A new meat house was built north of the boys' room.
• Palm trees were planted during this time.

What Rosedale Cottage Looks Like

The Cottage Building

The original five-room cottage was built between 1845 and 1850. This part of Rosedale Cottage is made of brick. It sits on a sandstone base. The corners and window openings have special sandstone blocks called quoins. The tops and bottoms of the windows, and the verandah, are also made of sandstone. The verandah floor is made of sandstone flags.

The roof frame is timber. It was first covered with wooden shingles. Later, it was changed to corrugated iron. The eaves (the part of the roof that hangs over the walls) have a fascia board and a boxed soffit (the underside of the eaves) with a space for air. Inside, the walls are brick, covered with plaster and wallpaper. The floors are wooden boards. The ceilings have different materials, including metal tiles, plaster, and tongue and groove wooden boarding.

The Garden Today

The garden at Rosedale Cottage today has some beautiful old trees. You can see:

• Mature Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis) close to the house.
• Tall Himalayan cedars (Cedrus deodara).
• English/European elm trees (Ulmus procera).
• Mediterranean chaste bushes (Vitex agnus-castis).

Protecting Rosedale Cottage

Rosedale Cottage was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This listing means the house is recognized as a place of historical importance. It helps make sure the cottage and its history are preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.