Samson's Cottage (wall remains)

Item details


Name of item:	Samson's Cottage (wall remains)
Other name/s:	Puppet Cottage ( Samsons )
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Retail and Wholesale
Category:	Shop
Location:	Lat: -33.8586885956 Long: 151.2087581720
Primary address:	8 Kendall Lane, The Rocks, NSW 2000
Parish:	St Philip
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Sydney
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	2		DP	790998

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
8 Kendall Lane	The Rocks	Sydney	St Philip	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Place Management NSW	State Government

Statement of significance:


	Samson's Cottage (wall remains) and site are of State heritage significance for their historical and scientific cultural values. The site and building are also of State heritage significance for their contribution to The Rocks area which is of State Heritage significance in its own right. The remaining walls portray extremely well the development of the site and adjoining property in a rare visual cut away section. The scale, form, colour, texture, and material of the fabric are all conveyed very well. Illustrative of the changing development and growth of the residential and commercial, and industrial precinct of The Rocks and Sydney, it contributes greatly to the streetscape and rear courtyards. (Tropman 1989: 40) The rear courtyard portrays the early subdivision pattern of the 1840's by Unwin. - It is a example of mixed usage with an early residence in a commercial and later industrial precinct with the construction of the Kendall Factory. (Tropman 1989: 40) The remaining walls clearly indicate the scale and fabric of this 'large' two storey 1844 residence of William Samson. The height of the building, the steep pitch of the gable roof and type of materials used, are all evident from the remaining fabric. The southern wall of the residence which has been built into the Coach house is significant in illustrating the position of the fireplace, and its later extension with the construction of the Coach house. The stone wall to Kendall Lane and the distinct remaining impression of the south wall contributes the existing streetscape to the Lane. (Tropman 1989: 40) The remains of the cottage effectively illustrates the early practice of building common or party walls. In particular the incorporation of the southern and northern wall of Samson's cottage into the Coach house and Ambulance station. The typical construction method of a residence in an easily identifiable cross section form. (Tropman 1989: 40)
	Date significance updated: 31 Mar 11
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Built for William Samson
Construction years:	1844-1844
Physical description:	The original two storey cottage had stone and brick walls and a shingle roof and was pulled down in 1883, however parts of the northern, western and southern walls of the building still remain. The southern wall of Samson's cottage formed part of the wall to Joseph Raphael's store and stable constructed 1853. (See 4500096 - Unwin's Coach House). The cottage has been rebuilt in 1991-2 in its original form. Storeys: Two; Facade: Stone (1844); Brick (1991); Side Rear Walls: Stone and brick walls (1844); Roof Cladding: Shingle (1844); Iron (c.1880)
Modifications and dates:	1883: Cottage partially demolished. 1991-92: The remaining sections of the north, west and south walls of the original building were incorporated into a new infill building. A small terrace was constructed at the rear, overlooking the courtyard system, which was extensively repaved and landscaped. The toilet block was upgraded to provide public toilets. (SCRA Annual Report 1992: 29) 2005: Conservation and adaptive reuse of the building for the Rocks Discovery Museum involved cutting a doorway in the upper wall and building overhead walkway to enable disabled access to the 2nd floor of the museum. A lift was installed and overhead loft built to enable a research area for the museum.


Current use:	Shop
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, Residence

History

Historical notes:

The "Eora people" was the name given to the coastal Aborigines around Sydney. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country". Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora. There is no written record of the name of the language spoken and currently there are debates as whether the coastal peoples spoke a separate language "Eora" or whether this was actually a dialect of the Dharug language. Remnant bushland in places like Blackwattle Bay retain elements of traditional plant, bird and animal life, including fish and rock oysters (Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani).

With the invasion of the Sydney region, the Cadigal and Wangal people were decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today. All cities include many immigrants in their population. Aboriginal people from across the state have been attracted to suburbs such as Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Glebe and Redfern since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney (Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani).

In 1790 this parcel of land was part of the proposed 2nd stage of Sydney's Hospital. William Balmain was granted a lease which included this lot, and by 1807 he had released the property to the Government. By March 1837 William Carr & George John Rogers were trustees of the property and in October 1838 Sir George Gipps granted the land to Carr & Rogers. In February 1839 Frederic Wright Unwin became the owner of the property and on June 21 1843 conveyed lot 7 of the subdivision of Lots 1 & 2 of Section 85 to William Samson, stevedore.
Samson completed the erection of a two storey house to the rear of the lot in 1844. The three roomed house was constructed of stone and brick walls and the roof was clad in shingles. In 1853 Samson erected a single storey shop containing three rooms to George Street frontage. The shop walls were constructed out of 'Wood and Brick' and the roof was shingled. The Cottage of William and Martha Samson was considered 'large' by the rating assessors in 1858. In 1882 Martha Samson sold Lot 7 to William Cope and Cunningham Archibald Atchison and in the same year they conveyed the Cottage and shop to Alexander William Cormack.
In 1882-83 the shop on George Street was pulled down and during 1883 Cormack erected a three storey building containing two shops to George Street and lodging rooms over. The walls were constructed in brick and the roof clad with iron. The premises was divided into two tenements, each with nine rooms and were numbered 75 and 75.5. The southern wall of Samson's cottage formed part of the wall to Joseph Raphael's store and stable constructed 1853. The remaining walls are a very good indication of the house's former size and materials used. (SCRA 1979: KL/07)
In 1991-92 a new infill building was constructed on the site of Samsons Cottage incorporating the remaining sections of the former house. The form of the new building is similar to that of the original cottage, built in 1844 and demolished in the 1920s. The small mezzanine area was located to give visitors an unimpeded view of the south wall of the original cottage contained within the new building. Archaeological work before construction revealed foundations and valuable historical information.
The building, designed as a multi purpose space, is currently being used as The Rocks Discovery Museum. (SCRA Annual Report 1992: 29)

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	(none)-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Retailing-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	(none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing townsfolk - terraces and cottages-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	A Picturesque Residential Suburb-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The rear courtyard portrays the early subdivision pattern of the 1840's by Unwin. - It is a example of mixed usage with an early residence in a commercial and later industrial precinct with the construction of the Kendall Factory. (Tropman 1989: 40)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The remaining walls clearly indicate the scale and fabric of this 'large' two storey 1844 residence of William Samson. The height of the building, the steep pitch of the gable roof and type of materials used, are all evident from the remaining fabric. The southern wall of the residence which has been built into the Coach house is significant in illustrating the position of the fireplace, and its later extension with the construction of the Coach house. The stone wall to Kendall Lane and the distinct remaining impression of the south wall contributes the existing streetscape to the Lane. (Tropman 1989: 40)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Example of a residence located to the rear of a commercial block with a single storey shop to the front built in 1853. (Tropman 1989: 41)
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The remains of the cottage effectively illustrates the early practice of building common or party walls. In particular the incorporation of the southern and northern wall of Samson's cottage into the Coach house and Ambulance station. The typical construction method of a residence in an easily identifiable cross section form. (Tropman 1989: 40)
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

The past building profiles that are expressed in the various walls should be retained. The original building fabric should be conserved. Future management of Samson’s Cottage and the Raphael Mackeller Stores should be aimed at achieving the following objectives: - Excellence in heritage management in accordance with recognised national and international guidelines; - To facilitate public access while ensuring the protection of significant fabric; - To provide an integrated approach for the buildings and the precinct to which they belong that reflects the significance of all components and respects traditional techniques; - To remove intrusive elements in order to restore an appropriate setting whenever the opportunity arises; - To ensure new development in the Kendall Lane/ Unwin Stores Precinct is sited so that an appropriate visual and historic curtilage is preserved for all items of cultural significance; and - To provide for the ongoing security of Samson’s Cottage and the Raphael Mackeller Stores.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01577	10 May 02	85	2865

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
SCA Register 1979-1998	1998	B099	Sydney Cove Authority (SCA)		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism		2007	Rocks Self-Guided Tour	View detail
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Rocks Self-Guided Tour	View detail
Written	Conybeare Morrison	2005	Coach House and Samson House Conservation Management Strategy
Written	Lester Tropman & Associates	1989	Conservation Analysis & Statement of Cultural Significance for the Ambulance Station, at 73 George Street & Coach House Precinct to Kendall Lane
Written	SCRA	1979	Building Data Sheet KL/07

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5053193

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