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January 25, 2015

Captain Cook’s Cottage

During our recent visit to Melbourne, Australia we visited Captain Cook’s cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. This cottage, built in 1755,  is the oldest building in Australia, and although it is called Captain Cook’s cottage, the building was actually owned by his parents. It is thought that James Cook did spend some time there during his holidays.

The cottage originally stood in Yorkshire, and when it came up for sale in 1934 Sir Russell Grimwade purchased the building. The brick cottage was dismantled, each brick labeled and shipped to Australia. On arrival, the cottage was reassembled.

These days the cottage is a tourist attraction with the rooms furnished in a typical style. The cottage is surrounded by a cottage garden containing flowers and vegetables.

Cooks Cottage Notice

Cooks Cottage

The cute exterior.

Cottage Garden

Part of the cottage garden.

Cooks Cottage Lounge

Ground floor interior. Lounge room.

Cook Cottage Bedroom

Parents’ bedroom, off the lounge. At night the curtains would be pulled for privacy.

About Captain Cook

Click to enlarge.

Cook Brass

A brass of  Cook, out in the garden

Captain Cook is an important part of New Zealand and Australian history. He visited New Zealand three times, charted much of our coast line and named many of the coastal landmarks. He also discovered and charted the Australian east coast and named it New South Wales.

If you’re ever in Melbourne Cook’s cottage is an interesting place to visit. I recommend it. Smile 

Do you enjoy visiting historical houses? Do you have a favorite?

6 Comments

  1. Mary Kirkland

    That’s a very neat find. I’ve never been to any historical homes but I like reading about them.

    • Shelley Munro

      I like reading about them too, Mary. They’re especially good if they’re set up with displays of period items of the same age as the house.

    • Shelley Munro

      The cottage is very cute and it’s tucked away in the park. It’s a lovely setting.

  2. Maria Zannini

    I sometimes read how people relocate buildings and number the bricks or siding or whatever to make sure it goes back the same way. It never ceases to amaze me the trouble they go through.

    I love historical homes. The one that made a lasting impression was a little house where Abraham Lincoln stayed. The bed was so narrow and short–especially for him, a tall man. I imagine he was pretty uncomfortable.

    • Shelley Munro

      The rooms in this cottage were tiny too and the stairs quite narrow. They certainly didn’t have much privacy in those days.