Cooks’ Cottage
Description:
The cottage stands in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne. It is detached, of two stories, with one main chamber on each floor. The furnishings were selected to represent the period when the cottage was built. There is a studded hide covered wood box, bearing the initials “JC”, reputed to have been the personal property of Captain James Cook. The garden reflects an 18th century English cottage garden.
The building contains a shop where souvenirs can be purchased.
In 2015 a visitor centre opened in Fitzroy Gardens, where entry tickets to Cooks Cottage can by purchased.
The Cottage is cared for and maintained by the City of Melbourne.
History;
The Cottage was built by Captain Cook’s father at Great Ayton, Yorkshire, England, around 1755, the year that James Cook volunteered for the navy, so unlikely that James lived in the building. His parents lived there, his mother until her death in 1765, and his father until 1772, when he moved to Marske to live with their daughter.
In 1933 the cottage was offered for sale, and this was publicised in a Melbourne newspaper. Russell Grimwade, a local businessman bid of £800, and this was accepted. His purpose was to re-erect the building in Melbourne, Victoria, and donate it to the State, the following year being Victoria’s centenary.
In December 1933 the Cottage was demolished brick by brick, the Victorian government had commissioned Brierley, Rutherford and Syme to survey and prepare estimates for the removal. The material was packed into 253 cases and 40 barrels, even cuttings of the ivy from the walls were transported to be replanted, arriving in Melbourne in April 1934. The sandstone door lintel bearing the initials J G and C, of James and Grace Cook, was encased in protective concrete.
The consignment sailed from Hull on board Port Dunedin, and was rebuilt by Messrs T.R. & L Cocknam, who carried out the work without profit. The supervising architects donated their skill and knowledge to the project in a purely honorary capacity. The Melbourne Harbour Trust waived wharfage rates, and the Union Stevedoring Company unloaded the cottage free of charge.
The Cottage was re-erected with Percy H Meldrum of Stephenson and Meldrum as honorary architect.
When re-erection was complete the Cottage was opened on 15th October 1934, Mrs Grimwade turned the key to the door, and the building became a popular attraction. Meanwhile, at Great Ayton, England, Mrs Richard Linton, wife of Richard, the Agent General for Victoria, unveiled a monument at Great Ayton where the Cottage had stood. (see Monument ‘Great Ayton, Yorkshire, UK’)
In 1978 the building was restored after suffering vandalism for a number of years, when it was furnished and the garden added.
Inscription:
(Prior to its removal, the cottage was opened for inspection, and a sign placed above the entrance read:
COOKS’ COTTAGE
The Government of Victoria (Australia) has
purchased Captain Cook’s house for transfer to
Melbourne, Australia where it will be re-erected for
the Victorian Centenary Celebrations and preserved
as a monument to the discoverer of Australia.
The house will be allowed to stand for one month
before being removed under skilful supervision and
during this time will be opened to the
public for inspection at a charge of 3d per adult and 1d
per child, the proceeds to be divided equally between
the North Ormsby Hospital and the North Riding
Infirmary of Middlesborough. No charge will be made
of school children if accompanied by their class teachers.
RICHARD LINTON
Agent General for Victoria
GPS Coordinates: -37.816005, 144.982445
References:
Cook’s Log, page 212, vol. 6, no. 3 (1983)
Cooks Log, page 334, vol. 8, no. 1 (1985)
Cooks Log, page 22, vol. 41, no. 4 (2018)
Endeavour Lines, page 9, no. 23 (1994)
Endeavour Lines, page 16, vol. 64 (2015)
Endeavour Lines, page 14, no. 67 (2016)
Endeavour Lines, page 16, no. 68 (2017)
Dixon, Joyce, 1996. History Under the Hammer. North York Moors National Park.
Website: https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/cooks-cottage