Cooks Cottage
Have you ever been to the Cooks’ Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne? Previously known as Captain Cooks’ Cottage, this Victorian-style house is now a must-see in Australia! The property is located on the grounds of Fitzroy Gardens and is a wonderful spot for a romantic getaway. You can even book a stay at the Cooks’ Cottage for a memorable wedding! Read on to discover the history of this Victorian mansion, as well as how it was renovated to become a beautiful venue for your next event! You can visit this amazing attraction at Fitzroy Gardens, Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002.
The Cooks’ Cottage was originally purchased by Sir Russell Grimwade in 1933. He was able to sell the cottage to a prominent Melburnian who would then present it to the Victorian people as a gift. The patriotic Mrs. Dixon wanted the house to remain in Britain, so she turned down offers from wealthy American buyers. In the end, the National Trust and Melbourne City Council worked together to preserve Cooks’ Cottage. Construction took place over several months, and it was opened to the public on October 15, 1934.
A tour of the Cooks’ Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens will give you a taste of the Captain’s childhood home. Built in 1755, this historic home was a family home for the famous explorer. In 1934, it was brought to Melbourne by Sir Russell Grimwade, who was a close friend of the Cook family. As a result, the Cooks’ Cottage is filled with period features and surrounded by an authentic 18th century English cottage garden.
The Victorian government was keen to preserve the Cooks’ Cottage, arguing that it is a national treasure. The cottage represents a connection between modern Australians and their rural antecedents. However, this rationale for keeping the Cooks’ Cottage in good condition has not been shared by all guides and advertising brochures. The cottage has been furnished with random items, including a mahogany-framed late eighteenth-century mirror. The Trust continues to feed on visitors’ desire to believe that the Captain’s Cottage is an authentic Cooks’ house.
The Cottage is one of the oldest landmarks in the city. The original ivy on the exterior was planted in the area around 1755. There are towering tall European trees on the grounds. The Cooks’ Cottage has an onsite discovery center, which showcases interesting artifacts associated with the explorer. At the end of each school holiday, visitors can visit the cottage for a fun-filled day of history and culture.
The restoration of the Cooks’ Cottage in Melbourne was a meticulous process that was a labour of love and a genuine antiquarian effort. The aim of the restoration was to replicate the BRS plans and prove its authenticity. This work was a hybrid historical manufacture, combining antiquarian and monumental historiography. The emphasis on authenticity was essential to the purposes of the project, which McCubbin stressed. Moreover, he stressed that the authenticity of the building was paramount to the overall design and the remodelling process.