Great! As you approach our first stop, Blundells Cottage, take a look around for a quaint stone cottage nestled among lush greenery. You'll notice a charming white picket fence surrounding the property and a distinct rust-colored tin roof. A tall evergreen tree stands guard to the left of the cottage, which makes it pretty hard to miss. The warm stone walls and old brick chimney give it a cozy, historic vibe.
Blundells Cottage is a heritage-listed gem from about 1858, located on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin. This six-room stone cottage was built by George P. Campbell for his ploughman, William Ginn, who lived here with his family until 1874. Flora and George Blundell then moved in and stayed until around 1933. Flora was a midwife, and George was Campbell's bullock driver. Talk about a power couple!
In 1913, the Commonwealth of Australia acquired the Duntroon estate to be part of the new Federal Capital Territory, but the Blundells got to stay. Later, Harry and Alice Oldfield moved in around 1933. It's quite the stone survivor, added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on July 15, 2005.
Interestingly, William Ginn, the original resident, was an immigrant from Hertfordshire, England. He came to Australia in 1857 and quickly made a name for himself as an excellent ploughman, so much so that George Campbell built this very cottage for him. After saving up enough money, William bought his own land in 1874 and moved out.
George Blundell, who moved in next, was a local bullock driver and a significant community figure. Married to Flora McLennan, the couple had eight children while living in the cottage. Flora became the local midwife, and George, a pioneer, was even chosen to meet the Duke of York in 1927.
Now, as you admire this picturesque cottage, imagine the stories and history that these walls have witnessed. It's like stepping into a well-worn but cherished book!
Want to explore the the ginn family, the blundell family or the the oldfield family in more depth? Join me in the chat section for a detailed discussion.
