Historical information

The original small, pioneer cottage was built in the late 1840s to early1850s, by an unknown pioneer. It was located on part of a 30 Acre allotment that was originally part of Henry Dendy’s Special Survey granted in 1841. The doors and window sashes, (made of red deal joinery timber), as well as the brass locks and fittings, are from the original cottage, and were imported from England.The fire-place bricks are from the original cottage, and are sun-dried, (not kiln fired), and are hand-made. Convict marks can be seen on two bricks.There is a small display of external cladding shingles from the original pioneer cottage. These shingles were hand-split, and most likely made from locally collected timber The nails included in this display were used to fasten the shingles on the original cottage, and are also hand-made. The enamel nameplate, “Colonial”, on the wall of the cottage, was the name chosen for the original pioneer cottage when a later owner, Mr August Rietman and wife Frieda leased the property in around 1917. August purchased the property 1935 for 1200 Pounds approximately and resided there until 1953. In 1974 Mr Lewis, a timber specialist, found the dilapidated building on property he had recently purchased in Jasper Rd and suggested it be reconstructed and relocated. Moorabbin Council agreed and the Cottage was rebuilt just about 250 metres from its original site. The cost of the rebuild was met by 'Victoria's 150th Committee, plus a small grant from the City of Moorabbin, and Mr Laurie Lewis donated much of the timber for the reconstruction.

Significance

Although 'Box Cottage' is a re-construction, it is an unique museum that, being located in the midst of a modern community in Ormond Victoria, can educate and demonstrate many aspects of the early settler’s way of life in Victoria. As such, it is an invaluable resource for students and all kinds of visitors.

Physical description

The original small, pioneer cottage was built in the late 1840s to1850s, by an unknown pioneer. It was located on part of a 30 Acre allotment that was originally part of Dendy’s Special Survey granted in 1841. The re-constructed pioneer cottage, named ‘Box Cottage’, is located only a matter of metres from the original pioneer cottage site, in Joyce Park, Jasper Road, Ormond, Victoria. The museum has copies of interesting Land Titles associated with the surrounding land, including the site of the original pioneer cottage, from Dendy’s time, and into the 1900s. ‘Box Cottage’ is named after the pioneers, William and Elizabeth Box, who resided in the original cottage from approximately 1865, until Elizabeth’s death in 1914.The re-constructed cottage plan has followed faithfully the original dimensions, and plan of the original pioneer cottage, and as many original items from that cottage’s long occupation have been incorporated.

Inscriptions & markings

Convict marks on sun -dried, fire-place chimney bricks.
Enamel nameplate 'Colonial' circa1915