Rosemont, Woollahra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosemont |
|
|---|---|
Entrance to Rosemont, 14 Rosemont Avenue, Woollahra, NSW
|
|
| Location | 14 Rosemont Avenue, Woollahra, Municipality of Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia |
| Architect |
|
| Official name: Rosemont | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 294 |
| Type | Villa |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Rosemont is a historic house in Woollahra, Australia. It is a special building because of its history and design. The house was designed by James Hume and Alexander Campbell. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is protected for its historical importance.
A Look Back at Rosemont's History
Alexander Campbell's Time at Rosemont
Rosemont was built around 1857 for Alexander Campbell. He was a merchant banker and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. Mr. Campbell and his wife, Harietta, lived there. The stone used to build the house came from the land itself. Mr. Campbell even designed parts of the house himself.
The garden of Rosemont was very large back then. It stretched across a big area. Later, this land was divided, and Rosemont Avenue was created. A special person named Mrs. Dillon lived with the Campbells. She was the widow of Chevalier Dillon, a sailor who helped find the lost ships of a famous explorer, La Perouse. Mrs. Dillon worked for the Campbells for 50 years. She was in charge of their beautiful fine china.
The old house had a large stone courtyard. Many offices surrounded it, keeping the servants' areas separate. Storerooms were full because shops were far away. Visitors often stayed for dinner, and neighbors helped each other in emergencies.
Woollahra Council started in 1860. As the area grew, Mr. Campbell began to lease parts of his garden. Many smaller houses were built on his land by friends and family. A school for girls was even built nearby. A famous opera singer, Nellie Melba, once lived in one of the houses. Neighbors could hear her beautiful voice practicing scales. The entrance to Rosemont still has curved stone walls and a long, tree-lined path.
In 1879, a big event happened in Sydney. The new Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, opened the Great International Exhibition. This huge event took place in the Botanic Gardens. Rosemont hosted a large ball for important visitors. Around this time, Mr. Campbell also helped build All Saints Church in Woollahra. He leased the land for the church, which became a central part of the suburb.
Rosemont once had 80 acres of land, mostly south of the house. It had very fancy gardens. A gardener named Alexander Grant worked there around the 1880s. He was from Scotland and had worked in famous gardens there. Grant helped plan and design the gardens at another grand house called Swifts, Darling Point.
The Rosemont property was divided in 1912. The house still stands, but it is now surrounded by other homes.
Later Owners of Rosemont
After the Campbells, several important families owned Rosemont. These included the Walkers, the Mackellars, the Cohens, and the Garvans. Mrs. J.T. Walker, who lived there, was known for giving visitors beautiful flowers from her garden. She continued the tradition of lovely gardens at Rosemont.
In 1949, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lloyd Jones lived at Rosemont.
Sir Samuel and Lady Cohen's Family Home
Sir Samuel Cohen bought Rosemont as his family home. His family was known for their generosity. They supported many charities, local groups, and hospitals. The Cohen family also played a big role in the Jewish community in Sydney. Samuel Cohen even started a fund to help refugees come to Australia.
The Cohen family had a long history in Australia. Samuel Cohen arrived from England in the 1830s. He started a successful business selling goods. His company became one of the largest in the Maitland area. Later, the family moved to Sydney and became involved in major companies.
Sir John Joseph Garvan's Time at Rosemont
Sir John Joseph Garvan owned Rosemont later. He followed his father into the insurance business. He became a very successful and smart businessman. He helped create one of Australia's main insurance companies, MLC Limited.
Garvan was also a kind person who supported many charities. He loved sports, especially tennis and polo. He even had racehorses. Sir John Garvan died at Rosemont in 1927. He was a very respected figure in Australian business.
Charles Lloyd Jones and His Family
After the Mackellars, the Lloyd Jones family lived at Rosemont until 1981. Charles Lloyd Jones was famous for his family's retail business, David Jones. His wife, Hannah Benyon Lloyd Jones, was a strong and lively person. They bought Rosemont in 1932. It became a very important place for social events in Sydney.
The Lloyd Jones family often hosted politicians and visitors from other countries at Rosemont. (Sir) Robert Menzies, a former Prime Minister, was a close friend. Charles Lloyd Jones was also a keen sailor and a founder of the Rotary Club of Sydney. He was knighted in 1951 for his contributions. Sir Charles died at Rosemont in 1958.
The original 80 acres of Rosemont have shrunk to less than 1 acre today. The main entrance used to be from Ocean Street. However, that part of the garden was sold off in the 1970s. Around 1980, apartments called "Rosemont Gardens" were built along the old driveway.
The current owners, Sir Raymond and Lady Burrell, have updated the house and garden. They created a new entrance through a southern courtyard. The main rooms now look north towards the harbour. There's a grass terrace, stone steps, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Old trees and new plants make the garden feel private. There are also "secret" pathways to explore.
Charles Lloyd Jones was a merchant and supported the arts. He studied art but later joined his family's business, David Jones. He helped the company grow and open new stores. He believed in good customer service and caring for his staff. He also held many public positions, including being the first chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC).
Sir Charles Kinnaird Mackellar's Influence
Sir Charles Mackellar was a doctor, politician, and businessman. He was a very busy person who worked hard in many areas. He helped control a smallpox outbreak in New South Wales. He also worked to improve public health and laws for children. He was president of the State Children Relief Board, helping neglected children.
Mackellar was also involved in banking and other companies. He was president of the Bank of NSW for many years. He died at Rosemont in 1926.
Dorothea Mackellar: The Poet
Dorothea Mackellar was Sir Charles Mackellar's daughter. She was born in Sydney and traveled a lot with her parents. She learned several languages. Dorothea started writing when she was young. Her most famous poem is "My Country," which she wrote around 1904. It became very popular, especially during World War I, because it showed a strong love for Australia.
Dorothea was described as pretty, sensitive, and fashionable. She was a strong swimmer and loved horses and dogs. Her poems showed her love for the Australian landscape. She also wrote novels. Despite not liking meetings, she was involved in the Bush Book Club and the Sydney P.E.N Club. She cared for her aging parents. Dorothea Mackellar died in 1968. Her poem "My Country" remains one of Australia's most beloved poems.
Rosemont's Design and Features
The Garden and Grounds
Rosemont once had huge, fancy gardens. Now, it's a bit smaller, less than 1 acre. The garden is formal, with a three-tier fountain in the middle of a circular driveway. You can see beautiful roses, azaleas, and large camphor laurel and fig trees around the edges.
The original entrance was from Ocean Street. But that part of the garden was sold off in the 1970s. Around 1980, apartments were built along the old driveway.
The house and garden have been updated. The new entrance is through a southern courtyard with formal garden beds and trellises. The main rooms face north towards the harbour. There's a grass terrace, stone steps, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Old trees and new plants create a private and interesting space.
The House Itself
Rosemont is a two-story house made of sandstone. It has an early Victorian style with some Edwardian features added later. The outside walls and chimneys are painted. The main roof is made of slate. The veranda roofs are iron and copper. The front of the house is balanced, with two sections sticking out. It has a cast iron colonnade from a famous foundry. The sides of the house have single-story verandahs with cast iron supports.
Inside, many original features are still there. These include six-paneled doors and fancy skirtings, though they are painted. Some marble fireplaces and plasterwork also remain. The main rooms have detailed woodwork around the windows.
The main staircase and current entrance hall were added in the 20th century. An upper balcony was created above the colonnade. The house has 80 "squares" (a way to measure house size) and ten bedrooms. There's also a servants' wing and other brick additions.
Servants' Quarters and Courtyard
The house used to be separate from the servants' quarters and offices. They were connected by a stone courtyard. In 1914, a second story was partly added to the back section, joining the servants' wing to the main house.
Changes Over Time
Rosemont has seen many changes over the years:
- In the 20th century, additions were made to the back of the house. The kitchen block, which was once separate, was joined to the main house.
- In 1914, a servants' wing was built, connecting the main house to the original kitchen.
- The main staircase and current entrance hall were added in the 20th century. A balcony was also created above the colonnade.
- In the 1970s, the Lloyd-Jones family sold the western part of the garden. Townhouses were built there.
- Around 1980, more apartments were built along the old driveway, called "Rosemont Gardens."
- In 2002, part of an old stone boundary wall was approved for partial demolition.
Heritage Listing
Rosemont is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This happened on 2 April 1999. This listing helps protect the house and its history for future generations.
