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Physical Description

the cottage is a single storey residence built of sandstone walls, timber floors and roof frames with a timber shingle roof that has been covered with corrugated iron.

The cottage consists of four front rooms, facing Mill Street on the west side of the building, a room formerly used as a kitchen on the north east corner of the building and a new kitchen to the south of the old, in the middle of the eastern side and a bathroom on the south east corner.

There are no passageways and rooms are connected to one another by simple doorways. There are two entrances into the building which are located on the north and south end of the timber and corrugated iron verandah on the west side.

A large double hung door is also located in the centre of the eastern elevation of the building which opens onto the garden area.

It is a very simple, humble cottage with a minimum of decoration. Only the joinery of two of three fireplaces and some of the architraves provide any evidence of style.

The windows, which are a very simple colonial style, and the stark nature of the rest of the fabric indicate that the building was built for a minimum cost for the use of low income earners. (Stafford, pp.22, 1985)

Condition

Physical condition is poor. (1985)

History

Caroline Chisholm Cottage was part of a 140 acre grant issues to John Smith on 25 October 1838 by the Governor of NSW, Sir George Gipps. Smith subdivided the land and sold the property that now contains Caroline Chisholm Cottage to Henry Gore, a Yeoman from Maitland on 15 April 1854.

East Maitland was planned in 1828 by the Surveyor George Bayal White. Originally named Maitland, the town was be a centre that could provide marketing services and legal order for the growing population of the area. The cottage was constructed by John Smith between 1831 and 1835 as part of five cottage terraces which were rented to working class people.

In March 1842, the first two cottages, now being the only remaining structure of the terrace, were rented by Caroline Chisholm as the East Maitland Immigrant's Home, and used as a hostel for homeless immigrants who travelled to the Hunter region in search of work.

Caroline Chisholm was born in 1808 near Northampton, England. She was reared in the tradition of Evangelical philanthropy and at 22 married Captain Archibald Chisholm on the condition that her philanthropic work should continue. The Chisholms arrived in Australia in 1838 and she dedicated herself to assisting immigrants, unemployed and the homeless.

In November 1842 the building was converted into the first hospital in the district, known as the Maitland Benevolent Asylum. By October of the following year the demands made upon the building became too great and the service was moved to a new location. The Immigrants' Home continued to function at 1 Smith Street (now Mill Street) for at least ten years.

In 1985 the owner of the cottage, announced it intended to move the cottage and place it in a historic park on the outskirts of East Maitland. The local community made representations to the Heritage Council. Following discussions with Maitland Council and the owner of the building, the Heritage Council recommended a Permanent Conservation order be placed over the building. A Permanent Conservation was gazetted in 27 March 1987. On 2 April 1999 the building was transferred onto the State Heritage Register.

Internet links

Webpage	Source
East Maitland Heritage Walk
East Maitland Heritage Walk	Attraction Homepage

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