Musgrave House, historic site in Queensland, Australia
Musgrave House is a timber building located at the corner of a block overlooking Cabbage Tree Creek in Shorncliffe, Queensland. It features a high pitched roof with wide verandahs trimmed in detailed timber work, and inside contains tall ceilings and long hallways with spacious rooms on either side of the central passage.
The building was designed and constructed in 1884 by architect Richard Gailey and originally served as a sanatorium for children recovering from illness. With backing from Lady Lucinda Musgrave, wife of the Queensland Governor, it became one of the first dedicated children's health facilities in the colony.
The house was originally known as Lady Musgrave Sanatorium, named after Lady Lucinda Musgrave who championed children's health in the community. Local families actively supported the facility through fundraising events and donations, making it an integral part of neighborhood life.
The building sits on Friday Street in Shorncliffe and can be viewed from the street, with the open grounds providing clear sightlines to the facade and verandah from multiple angles. The flat terrain and open yard make it easy to walk around and observe the exterior details.
The building was designed according to 19th century health theories, with wide verandahs and tall windows arranged for ventilation that were considered vital for children's recovery at the time. These architectural features show how innovative health concepts shaped the way the structure was built.
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