Historic Calthorpes’ House throws a party


Released 27/09/2017

A priceless piece of Canberra’s history Calthorpes’ House throws open its doors this weekend to celebrate its 90th Birthday, Minister for the Arts and Community Events Gordon Ramsay announced today.

Calthorpes’ House, located in Red Hill, is one of Australia’s most significant heritage assets and is the only known house of the 1920s in Australia to survive in such an intact state.

“The house is of exceptional interest because of the contribution it makes to the architectural, social and domestic history of Canberra and the nation,” Minister Ramsay said.

Such a significant birthday is deserving of flowers, cakes and music, and visitors are invited to join the festivities. The birthday activities begin on Friday afternoon with a rare tour of the garden with our Head Gardener Neil Walsh. Visitors will discover the secrets to this unique 1920s heritage garden, learn about garden design, maintaining roses and pick up some other tips and tricks along the way.

“Calthorpes’ House will come alive with the sights and smells of cake baking and decorating on Saturday. Visitors are invited to take a tour of the house, taste a fairy cake baked in the wood fired stove and take home a slice of cake in their own personally decorated Calthorpes’ House cakebox.

“The Calthorpe family loved music and visitors will also enjoy listening to the songs once played in this beautiful home,” Minister Ramsay said.

The house was built and occupied by the Calthorpe family for its entire life as a domestic residence. The survival of so many of the original 1920s furnishings and domestic objects in their historically correct context makes this house fascinating. It is a time capsule that illustrates the way of life for a middle class Canberra family during the city's first development phase.

To mark this anniversary opening hours will be extended during Floriade.

For more information and bookings go to www.historicplaces.com.au.

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Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases


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