An extensive year-long conservation project has revitalised this significant historic place.
Located on Ngunnawal Country, overlooking the rolling hills of the Yass Valley, Cooma Cottage is the former home of Australian-born explorer Hamilton Hume. The heritage property is also the starting point of the 440-kilometre expedition across Eastern Australia that Hume undertook in 1824 with fellow explorer William Hovell.
Hume reportedly fell in love with the site while camping there at the beginning of his bold overland journey and later purchased the original cottage and 100 acres of land in 1829. His travels having drawn to an end, Hume designed Cooma Cottage as a rural retreat with his wife Elizabeth and the couple spent the next 20 years building extensions to the original dwelling; adding Palladian-style wings and a Greek Revival portico.
Under the care of the National Trust (NSW) since the 1970s, Cooma Cottage offers a unique insight into the history of rural NSW and the life of one of Australia’s most significant explorers. Yet large-scale work was needed to restore this important site to ensure it endures as a vital link to the past for generations to come.
Thanks to the generous support of donors, the Copland Foundation and a NSW Government Caring for State Heritage Grant, the National Trust embarked on a 12-month conservation project which extended to every element of the property. Discover the fascinating work that was undertaken and the striking revitalisation of Cooma Cottage.

A fresh look at historic furniture
In collaboration with heritage specialists, the National Trust completed a detailed new plan for furnishing Cooma Cottage. Alongside conserving and repairing the property’s existing furniture collection, additional items of colonial furniture from the National Trust’s collection were selected for display. Four new pieces of furniture were also acquired, including a chest of drawers provenanced to Hamilton Hume. Echoing the house as it appeared in its key period of significance, the reinterpreted furnishing offers visitors remarkable new insight into the former use of the house.

Preserving period wallpaper
A key focus of the project was the conservation of remnants of beautiful historic wallpapers in the house. Specialist work by International Conservation Services (ICS) included gently cleaning and re-adhering delicate layers of wallpaper. In Hamilton Hume’s former dressing room, evidence of up-to four previous layers of wallpaper were uncovered. Dating from the 1860s, the wallpapers trace back through time to the period when Hume would have occupied the room. A new exhibition House Made of Paper was also installed, highlighting the story of the heritage wallpapers at Cooma Cottage and the changing styles of Australian interiors.

Repainting and refinishing rooms
The interiors of the building were repainted, floors waxed, and shellac applied to original joinery. Original decorative finishes were also cleaned and conserved. As part of this process all contents of the house were removed and placed into storage, allowing for a deep clean of the building. Colour selections for paints and finishes were provided through expert advice. While most of the paint schemes were a like-for-like colour match using traditional finishes, two new rooms were painted with a new colour scheme in hues authentic to the period of Elizabeth and Hamilton Hume’s residency.

Telling a story with soft furnishings
With advice from heritage specialists, historically appropriate soft furnishings have been created for the house. Lending warmth and authenticity to the interiors, the new curtains, table covers, and floor rugs were created in collaboration with the Old Government House soft furnishing volunteer group. Following extensive research on traditional patterns, a new Venetian flat woven hall runner has also been sourced for the front entrance hall from Robert Oaks, a UK company specialising in sustainable and heritage wool floor coverings.

Shining a spotlight on rare objects
Bespoke exhibition cabinets have been created to showcase significant objects relating to the history of the house and Hamilton and Elizabeth Hume that have never been displayed previously. Hamilton Hume’s walking stick, his handkerchief and a delicate mounting box belonging to Elizabeth Hume are just some of the items that are now able to be viewed by the public. A selection of archaeological artefacts has also been curated for display, offering a tangible glimpse into the broader history of the property.

Visitor experience enhanced
An engaging new signage concept was developed in order to help visitors easily guide themselves around the house, while a new lighting scheme was designed. Reflecting the intention of Cooma Cottage as a vibrant and authentic house museum, intrusive fittings were removed in historic rooms and discrete LED lighting installed. A gallery rail system was mounted in the main exhibition space allowing for a display of heritage wallpaper. In future years this space is also intended to feature exhibitions relating to the history of the site and the National Trust Collection.

Lending new life to a historic site
Critical works to the exterior of the house returned the property to a remarkable state of repair. A traditional limewash was applied to the outside walls and grounds were landscaped. The stables were cleared and important repairs made to the verandah, roofing, windows and glazing of the house and outbuildings.

Transformative works revealed
Thanks to the generosity of the National Trust supporters, the Copland Foundation and the NSW Government, Cooma Cottage has been conserved for future generations, turning a new page in the story of this historic site. Open Sunday, 10am – 4pm, plan your visit to Cooma Cottage.

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