Waimea House, historic site in New South Wales, Australia
Waimea House is a two-story sandstone residence in Woollahra, built around 1858 in Georgian Revival style with a three-sided verandah supported by cast iron columns. The building is surrounded by mature Monterey cypress trees and maintained gardens that complement its simple architecture.
The land was originally granted to Captain John Piper in 1820, later acquired by merchant Daniel Cooper, and leased to Thomas Wheaton Bowden in 1856 who built the house. From 1949 to 1973 it operated as a hostel for blind women under the Royal Blind Society, and gained heritage protection in 1979.
The house served as a private residence and shapes the character of the Woollahra neighborhood today. Its sandstone walls and surrounding gardens create a connection between the building and local residential life that remains visible to visitors.
The house sits on a quiet street in Woollahra and is surrounded by tree-lined paths that make for pleasant walking. Access is on foot through local streets, and daytime visits work best for seeing the building and gardens clearly.
Between 1949 and 1973 the house was known as Helen Keller House and operated as a hostel for blind women, with Helen Keller herself laying the foundation stone for new buildings in 1948. This period made it a symbol of inclusion and community care long before modern accessibility movements.
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