Mona Vale, Tasmania

Mona Vale
Sketch of Mona Vale from 1927
Map
General information
Completed1867
Design and construction
Architect(s)William Archer
Other information
Number of rooms52

Mona Vale is a large heritage listed 1860s country house in Ross, Tasmania. Completed in 1867, it is well known locally as the "Calendar House", for its reportedly 365 windows, 52 rooms, 12 chimneys and seven entrances.[1][2] The property is on the Tasmanian Heritage Register and the Register of the National Estate (since 1978).[3]

Etymology

The origin of the name of Mona Vale is disputed. Jupp, J lists it as named after Castle Mona, a historic home of the Duke of Atholl and presently a hotel.[4] Bennet, A states that the name is derived from Monaeoda, the Latin name for the Isle of Man.[5]

History

Mona Vale was built by Robert Kermode and designed by William Archer, his brother-in-law.[6][7] At the time of its completion, it became the largest private house in Australia.[4] It has received multiple royal visits over its lifetime. In 1868, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh visited, and later the then Duke of York (future King George VI) and the Duchess of York visited in 1927, with then Princess Elizabeth (Elizabeth II).[8][9] It was purchased by the Cameron family in the 1920s.[10] The estate was also the site of a military training ground, and the camp of a light horse regiment during WWII.[11][12][13]

References

  1. ^ Odgers, Sally (1989). Tasmania: A Guide. Kangaroo Press. p. 91. ISBN 9780864172365. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  2. ^ Stone, Walter (1980). Treasury of Australian Folklore. Rigby. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-7270-1266-1.
  3. ^ "Mona Vale Homestead, Chapel, Cottages & Outbuildings, 398 Mona Vale Rd, Mona Vale via Ross, TAS, Australia". Department of Environment. Department of Environment, Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  4. ^ a b Jupp, James (2001). The Australian People: An Encyclopedia of the Nation, Its People and Their Origins (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 591. ISBN 9780521807890. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  5. ^ Warner, photographs by Alice Bennett; text by Georgia (2012). Country houses of Tasmania : behind the closed doors of our finest private colonial estates. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin. p. 150. ISBN 9781743310793.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ http://www.directorintheclassroom.com/country-houses/mona-vale.html[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Archer, William (1820–1874)". Biography - William Archer - Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  8. ^ "Fine Old Country Residence is Landmark in Northern Tasmania HISTORIC HOME Mona Vale's Link With Royalty | (By Our Travelling Correspondent.)". The Mercury. 16 October 1936. p. 6. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  9. ^ "ROYAL PARTY. Return to Hobart. TASMANIAN TOUR CLOSES. DUKE'S FAREWELL MESSAGE. HOBART, Tuesday". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 April 1927. p. 14. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Cameron Family".
  11. ^ "Military Camps". The Advocate. Tasmania. 16 February 1933. p. 2 – via trove.nla.gov.au.
  12. ^ "Military Camps/Locations in Australia during WW2".
  13. ^ Wyatt, Douglas Morris (2010), Mona Vale Military encampment 1885-c1957, D.M. Wyatt, retrieved 28 June 2012

42°05′33″S 147°30′09″E / 42.09251°S 147.50262°E / -42.09251; 147.50262