Journey back to 1839. La Trobe’s Cottage stands before us a testament to Melbourne’s early days.
This is La Trobe’s Cottage the home of Charles Joseph La Trobe. He was Victoria’s first Lieutenant-Governor. He lived here with his wife Sophie and their children from 1839 to 1854.
Originally, La Trobe’s Cottage stood in Jolimont. That’s near where the Melbourne Cricket Ground is today. The cottage was a prefabricated structure. It was brought all the way from London. Imagine that journey.
Look closely. The dining room you see was added in 1839. This is believed to be the oldest surviving building in Melbourne. La Trobe’s Cottage is more than just old. It holds pieces of La Trobe’s history. Many items of furniture are still here. You can see historic artefacts too.
When Victoria became independent in 1851 La Trobe became Lieutenant-Governor. He continued to live at La Trobe’s Cottage. He stayed here until he departed for England in 1854. Land was set aside for a Government House. But La Trobe preferred his cottage.
La Trobe’s Cottage is important for several reasons. It shows us early colonial architecture. It gives us a glimpse into how people lived. It is a rare example of a prefabricated house from that time.
Over the years, La Trobe’s Cottage faced challenges. In 1914, there were plans to demolish it. A boot manufacturing company wanted to expand. But the Early Pioneers Association stepped in. They valued the cottage’s history.
Daniel Bedggood owned the boot company. He agreed to delay demolition. This allowed important people to visit. They included the mayor and the state governor. The governor hoped a mural would record the cottage’s story. Bedggood promised to preserve part of the building.
In 1935, thunderstorms damaged La Trobe’s Cottage. The banqueting hall ceiling suffered. The roof lost iron sheets. Despite the damage repairs were made.
There was confusion about La Trobe’s Cottage in 1941. A newspaper article said it had been moved. But this was incorrect. That building belonged to Thomas Elder Boyd.
More challenges arose in 1942. La Trobe’s Cottage was to be demolished. An air raid shelter was needed for factory workers. Part of the cottage was taken down. Bricks from the demolition were turned into doorstops. The Red Cross sold them. Other relics from the cottage were also sold.
Before the 1956 Summer Olympics the cottage looked run-down. There were calls to tidy it up. But Horace Bedggood said it was left as an antique. He added that architects feared it would fall down if they interfered.
In December 1963, La Trobe’s Cottage was rebuilt. It found a new home in Kings Domain. It was moved a short distance later. Today, it backs onto Dallas Brooks Drive.
La Trobe’s Cottage represents early heritage conservation. It’s largely a reconstruction. However, one wall is original. It was prefabricated by Manning of London. The National Trust of Australia operates it as a museum now.
Today, La Trobe’s Cottage stands as a reminder. It connects us to Melbourne’s beginnings. It shows us the life of Charles La Trobe and his family. Take a moment to appreciate this special place. It is a tangible link to our past.