An old Colonial cottage sitting amongst lush parklands is tucked in the last place you'd expect- beside the busy Eastlink tollway.
Schwerkolt Cottage. Photo credit: Whitehorse Historical Society.
Schwerkolt Cottage was built in the 1880s by August Schwerkolt, who migrated to Australia from Germany and was one of the first to erect a dwelling in Mitcham. The three-bedroom cottage is simply constructed, using stones quarried from Mullum Mullum creek. The stones seem to have been put where they fit together rather than to any ordered design. The cottage is filled with period furniture similar to what the Schwerkolt family would have used. Today, the cottage is considered of local historical significance and is on the
National Trust register.
A collection of oddments significant to local history is housed in the museum complex, including old newspaper clippings, photographs and clothing. Mitcham being an area of rich natural resources, the museum boasts a vast collection of pottery made by local companies in the early twentieth century. The extensive history collection numbers over four thousand artefacts and nearly as many photographs. An outdoor display is comprised of archaic farming tools and homewares. Visitors who are particularly interested in local history can purchase
publications from the Whitehorse Historical Society, including "
Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum: The legacy of Johann August Schwerkolt", for a bargain $7.
The surrounding parkland is conducive to picnics, with plenty of space, barbecue facilities and a playground. Walking and cycling tracks line Mullum Mullum creek.
Schwerkolt Cottage is open on weekends and public holidays from 2:00 to 5:00pm. However, if you
contact the Whitehorse Historical Society, which is based at the museum complex, in advance you can make an appointment to visit and have a tour of the cottage at another time.
