"The cottage was built in 1850-51 as an Under Gardener’s Cottage to the design of Henry Ginn, the Colonial Architect of the time, who was responsible for the earliest layout of the Gardens – on the east, near Anderson St.
The cottage was built as a symmetrical brick building of 3 rooms – a central day room flanked by bedrooms to the north and south. Two of these rooms still remain, and are used today as the kitchen and part of the Craft Room."
No doubt the area is now considered one of the great historical treasures of Melbourne, and is heritage listed.
"In 1898 the course of the Yarra River was altered, straightening out the original horseshoe bend and allowing the formation of Alexandra Ave and a wide riverbank. This work took the river much further away from the Gardens. Until this time the cottage was perched high on the riverbank. The evidence of this is still with us in the steep drop between the Cottage and the path below, and the exposed rock face immediately behind the building."
"The Plant Craft Cottage of today is a warm, thriving place, staffed by rostered volunteers, working to keep plant crafts alive and to maintain the historic building."
Maidenhair fern leaf pressing
Potpourri, origami, flower pressing...
Seed husks made into ornamental decorations - wrens
I spoke with some of the ladies who host basketry and weaving classes, I really sympathize with her about the lesser-known art form of basketry, and its dwindling interest to conserve this skill. They're really nice folk there.
"The Library of the Plant Craft Cottage is named in honour of Baron Ferdinand von Mueller. It houses a unique collection of books, magazines and original material covering botany and plant crafts. There is also a reference collection of the Groups’ work with plants. Members of the Cottage may borrow from the library three months after becoming a member.
On January 6th 1853, Dr. Ferdinand Mueller was appointed as Victoria’s 1st Government Botanist. It seems probable that he and his sisters Bertha and Clara occupied at least a portion of the Cottage over the next four years. In 1857 Dr. Mueller succeeded John Dallachy as Director of the Gardens, at which time he moved into the Director’s Residence. He was the Director of the Gardens for 16 years until 1873. In 1871 Dr. Mueller was awarded a Hereditary Baronetcy from the King of Wurtemberg, and from this time onwards was entitled to call himself Baron Ferdinand von Mueller."
"The Plant Craft Cottage is the home of the Plant Craft Cottage Group, which was formed in 1977 by a group of people interested to promote traditional plant crafts, and foster interest in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
The Cottage is owned by the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Plant Craft Cottage Group is a tenant of the Gardens. The responsibility for the maintenance of the Cottage and its immediate surrounds is shared with the Gardens. The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Voluntary Guides both originated within the Cottage."
