Cummins House is a historic house in Adelaide, situated at 19-23 Sheoak Avenue, Novar Gardens. It was listed on the South Australian Heritage Register on 24 July 1980.
It is now managed as a museum with guided tours by the Cummins Society.
History On 15 May 1838, John Morphett used his preliminary land order to buy 134 acres of land bounded by Pine Avenue, Anzac Highway and Morphett Road, near the present Morphettville race course. On 13 January 1840, he was granted title to the land which he named "Cummins Estate" after his mother's Devonshire farm. He kept sheep and cows, planted fruit trees, vines and olive groves, and cultivated a variety of local and imported trees. A horse lover, he also kept a stud and was involved in racing. (He was one of the original directors of the Morphettville Racing Club, founded in 1847).John Morphett, www.southaustralianhistory.com.auAbout Morphett , Cummins House, West Torrens City Council
Morphett's home, Cummins House, was designed by architect George Kingston. It was sited on the Sturt River and begun in 1842 as a five roomed red brick cottage. It was extended considerably in 1854,About Cummins , Cummins House, West Torrens City Council and there were further extensions in 1906, 1945, 1977 and 1983.Floor plan , Cummins House, West Torrens City Council
The fourth generation owner, Hurtle Morphett, offered this residence and land for sale but a satisfactory purchaser was not forthcoming. To ensure that the home would be saved, the SA Government purchased the house on the remaining 1.68 acres in 1977. In 1982, Immanuel College leased Cummins from the State Government, with the aim of restoring the property for use as a pioneer museum, and as an exhibition and performance centre. The lease was for 5 years. With the assistance of the Cummins Society, the West Torrens Historical Society, and the National Trust, the school spent about $30,000 a year on the restoration of the house from an empty shell.Fiona Baker,Cummins House restored to life , West Side, Messenger Press, August 1985. (Archived by West Torrens Historical Society at At the end of the lease period, the State government offered the lease to the West Torrens Council, who agreed to take charge of the property "under certain conditions".Cummins: new lease , Westside Messenger, 1987, Archived by West Torrens Historical Society.
Subdivisions In 1919, the first sub-division occurred when land south of the Holdfast Bay railway line was sold for a new subdivision for returned servicemen's homes. In 1921, the area, which also included that part of Cummins Estate where Cummins House is located, was renamed to Novar Gardens to honour Viscount Novar, (who as Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson was the sixth Governor-General of Australia from 1914 to 1920). Hence, Cummins House is located at 23 Sheoak Avenue, Novar Gardens, South Australia.Novar Gardens , West Torrens City CouncilAshley Walsh, John Morphett's Home, 24 May 2009, www.abc.net.auCummins House, maps.google.com
A large section of the property was purchased by Immanuel College in 1949. The remaining 32 acres were held until 1963, when ~30 acres, often referred to as "Cummins Park", were sold for housing, leaving 1.68 acres containing the home and the outbuildings.Information about "Cummins" and its first owner , West Torrens Historical Society, wtcc.sa.gov.au
Timeline of Cummins House From To Owners/Lessees/Occupants/events 1836 John Morphett arrived in South Australia 1838 (15 May) John Morphett bought 132 acres of land by the Sturt Creek which he named "Cummins Estate" 1838 (15 August) John married Elizabeth Fisher18421870 The 5 roomed "Cummins House" was completed and occupied by Mr & Mrs John Morphett and family 1854 Extensive additions to house completed18701892 (John Morphett knighted.) House occupied by Sir John & Lady Elizabeth Morphett and family 1880 Holdfast Bay railway line bisects area between Sturt Creek and Anzac Highway18921905 (Sir John died.) House occupied by Lady Elizabeth Morphett and family19051936 (Lady Elizabeth died.) House occupied by Mr & Mrs John Cummins Morphett and family 1906 Further extensions 1919 First subdivision. Land between Railway line and Anzac Highway sold for a new subdivision for returned servicemen's homes. 1921 Part of Morphettville renamed Novar Gardens 1936 John Cummins Morphett died ? 1963 House occupied by Mr & Mrs George Cummins Morphett and family 1949 A large portion of Cummins Estate sold to Immanuel College, leaving 32 acres (of the original 132 acres)History, Immanuel College, immanuel.sa.edu.au 1963 (George Cummins Morphett died.) ~30 acres sold for Housing, leaving 1.68 acres ? 1977 House occupied by Mr & Mrs Hurtle Cummins Morphett and family19771982 Property purchased by South Australian State Government19821987 Property leased by Immanuel College. Restoration commences1984Ongoing The Cummins Society established who run regular guided tours on the first and third Sunday of each month (February to November) with Devonshire tea, and who also maintain the property's gardens19872019 State Government offered the lease to the West Torrens Council, who agreed to take charge of the property "under certain conditions"2019Ongoing The West Torrens Council elected not to enter into a new lease agreement with the State Government, and instead it has been offered to The Cummins Society, whose charter is to preserve the heritage character of the property and to run regular open days when public can visit.
References