 From the City of Melbourne website: Cooks' Cottage was built in 1755, by Captain James Cook's parents, James and Grace Cook, 15 years before their son sailed into Botany Bay, New South Wales (May,1770). Originally constructed in Great Ayton, Yorkshire, England, it was later transported and reassembled in Melbourne in 1934. In 1933 the Cottage advertised for sale. Upon hearing this news, some prominent Victorians advocated its purchase and relocation to Melbourne. It was hoped that its official opening would be part of the Centenary celebrations in the following year. This was considered appropriate since Cook’s first sighting of the Australian coastline was Point Hicks in Victoria. Russell Grimwade (later Sir Russell) bought the Cottage for 800 pounds as a gift to the people of Victoria. An architectural firm surveyed the building and supervised its dismantling and later re-construction. Cooks' Cottage was taken apart brick by brick in England and packed into 253 cases and 40 barrels. Every component was identified and numbered, while particularly significant stones were individually encased in concrete. The current location of the Cottage in the Fitzroy Gardens was chosen, partly because of the idyllic, leafy background and its convenient location close to the very popular Conservatory. Other sites were considered, but it was felt that the Cottage complemented the traditional design of Fitzroy Gardens with its avenues of European trees and Victorian fountains and statuary. A building of this age requires continuous and careful maintenance. Some major repairs were carried out in 1955, and in 1978 a more thorough effort was made to investigate and restore the building, furnishing it with material appropriate to the period and surrounding it with a cottage garden of 18th century character. Today it is carefully maintained by the City of Melbourne and has become a well-loved icon for the people of Victoria as well as a major tourist attraction. |
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