Tranby, Glebe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tranby |
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| Location | 13 Mansfield Street, Glebe, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1858–1910 |
| Architect | A. L. & G. McCredie |
| Architectural style(s) | Post-Regency |
| Owner | Co-operative for Aborigines Ltd |
| Official name: Tranby; Toxteth Cottage | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 21 |
| Type | Adult Education |
| Category | Aboriginal |
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Tranby is a special old house located at 13 Mansfield Street in Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales. It was designed by A. L. & G. McCredie and built between 1858 and 1910. This historic building is also known as Toxteth Cottage.
Since 1958, the house and its land have been the main campus for Tranby National Indigenous Adult Education and Training. It is owned by the Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd. This important property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, meaning it is protected because of its historical value.
Contents
The Story of Tranby
How the Area Changed Over Time
The land around Leichhardt was originally home to the Wangal clan of Aboriginal people. After Europeans arrived in Australia in 1788, many Aboriginal people became sick from diseases like smallpox. They also lost their hunting grounds, which greatly reduced their numbers, and they had to move further inland.
Over time, the areas near Blackwattle Bay and Rozelle Bay changed a lot. They went from being natural areas to places with industries and homes. Now, some of these industrial areas are being turned into new homes and parks.
The first official land grant in Glebe was given to Richard Johnson, the colony's first chaplain, in 1789. This land, called "The Glebe," was meant to help support a church minister. It had rolling hills, sandstone cliffs, and creeks. The creeks were surrounded by swamps with mangroves and blackwattles, which is how Blackwattle Bay got its name. Early settlers hunted kangaroos and emus here.
Johnson's land stayed mostly undeveloped until 1828. Then, the Church and School Corporation divided it into 28 smaller pieces. Wealthy people built large homes near the water because of the sea breezes. Closer to Broadway, industries like slaughterhouses were built. Smaller homes for working-class families grew up around these industries.
In the early 1900s, many of the larger homes in Glebe were divided into boarding houses. Wealthier families moved to new suburbs that were easier to reach by train. By the 1960s, Sydney was changing from an industrial city to one with more office jobs. This brought younger professionals to the inner city, and people started to care more about protecting historic buildings.
The History of Tranby House
"Tranby," first called "Toxteth Cottage," was likely finished in 1858. It was part of the large Toxteth Park Estate, owned by George Allen. George Allen was a very important person: he helped start a famous law firm, was the President of the Bank of New South Wales, and even served as the Mayor of Sydney.
The cottage was first home to Allen's daughter, Mary, and her husband, George Allen Mansfield. They lived there until 1861. The house became known as Tranby in the 1870s when Allen's other daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, William Binnington Boyce, moved in.
After George Allen passed away, the Toxteth Park Estate was divided. In 1887, Tranby was bought by Allen's brother, William Boyce Allen. In 1910, more rooms were added to the house to fit William Allen's large family.
In 1931, Tranby became a hostel for students from the University of Sydney. It was also home to John Hope, a clergyman. The house stayed with the Boyce Allen family until 1946.
In 1957, Tranby began a new chapter. It became a training center to help Aboriginal people develop co-operative practices. This center was managed by the Australian Board of Missions Christian Community Co-operative and run by Reverend Alf Clint.
In 1971, the name "Tranby Co-operative for Aborigines Ltd." was officially registered. Today, Tranby is an Aboriginal-managed, non-profit organization. The college is the biggest part of its work. It is a place where important community members meet and where key events in Indigenous activism have happened. For example, meetings that led to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody took place here.
The college was updated in 1997-98 to meet the growing needs for community and education programs. New buildings and classrooms were designed around a courtyard, inspired by Indigenous learning circles. The updated building officially opened in 1998.
What Tranby Looks Like
Tranby is a beautiful cottage built in a style called "post-Regency." It has a unique, uneven design but still looks like older colonial homes with its low height and wide shape. The front of the house shows three different building stages.
The original part of the house, with six rooms, is in the middle. It has a classic Georgian look, set back from the rest of the building. A central door and French doors on either side open onto a verandah, which is supported by cast iron columns. Later additions were built on either side of this front verandah. A smaller wing with a flat roof edge gives the house an Italianate feel.
The entire house has a slate hipped roof with metal caps and box gutters. The walls are made of brick or sandstone covered with cement or lime plaster. Tranby has fifteen rooms in total.
How Tranby is Maintained
The building is generally in good condition structurally.
Changes Made to Tranby
- 1880s: A new wing was added on the northern side.
- 1910: Another wing was added on the eastern side.
Why Tranby is Important
As of October 1, 1997, Tranby and its history show how the Glebe Peninsula changed over time in terms of architecture, land use, and the growth of society. It is a great example of a "post-Regency picturesque cottage" and one of the earliest buildings in Glebe with an uneven design.
The property is now home to the Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative, which is the first and only independent adult education center in Australia run by Aboriginal people. It has been the site of many important events in the history of Indigenous activism. The Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative has played a big role in developing policies and other initiatives for Aboriginal peoples for over 36 years. It has become a very important place for Aboriginal people in Australia and Indigenous peoples around the world.
Tranby was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because it met several important requirements.
Tranby shows how cultural or natural history developed in New South Wales. Tranby and its story reflect the changes that happened in Glebe, including how buildings were designed, how land was used, and how society grew and became more diverse. It was the first house built on the Toxteth Estate after Toxteth House itself. It stayed in the Allen family until the 1840s. Two nearby streets, Boyce and Mansfield, are named after important people who lived in the cottage.
The property is also the main location for the Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative. This is the first and only independent adult education center in Australia that is controlled by Aboriginal people. It has been the place for many important events in Indigenous activism, including meetings that led to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Tranby shows great design and creative skill in New South Wales. Tranby is a beautiful example of a post-Regency cottage. It was one of the first buildings in Glebe to have an asymmetrical (uneven) design. It has a balanced and well-preserved style.
Tranby has a strong connection with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural, or spiritual reasons. The Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative has made a big difference in developing policies and other projects for Aboriginal peoples for over 36 years. It has become a landmark for Aboriginal people in Australia and Indigenous peoples worldwide. It is also important to the non-Aboriginal community, who have learned about Aboriginal culture and been involved in human rights movements through Tranby. It has become a symbol of the strength of Aboriginal culture within the wider Australian society.
Images for kids
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Glebe circa 1875 — the house on the far left is Tranby, the one in the middle Emslee and the house on the far right is Toxteth Park.
See also
- Australian residential architectural styles
