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Cumberland Hall
A lost Maitland landmark
Cobcroft's Folly
The elevated position at East Maitland where Maitland Grossmann High School now stands, was once the site of Cumberland Hall, a significant residence, rich in historical and architectural value.
When constructed, the building cost between £17,000 and £21,000.
Upon completion in 1861, it originally given the name Cobcroft’s Folly by its owner Enoch Cobcroft (1818? – 1905), a pastoralist, district forester and a “genial and popular licensee” of the Mayor Hotel, East Maitland during the 1850s and the Hunter River Hotel in Melbourne Street until 1857. The building was situated on the high side of Morpeth Road overlooking the river flats towards the Barrington Tops, Hunter River and Paterson valleys.
It is probable that the residence was designed by Mortimer William Lewis Junior, son of William Mortimer Lewis (1796 – 1879). the former Colonial architect (1835 – 1850) and surveyor. The two storey Regency style of classical revival residence was situated at the highest point of grounds,which had increased from the original four acres to nearly eleven acres.
Purchased by Alexander Brown
On 9 February 1878, merchant, colliery owner manager and politician , Alexander Brown (1851-1926) purchased Cobcroft’s Folly for a sum in excess of £4,000 and later renamed the mansion “Cumberland Hall”.
 | The main building stood upon a stone foundation housing a large cellar. The quality of the art, furniture and objects d’art can be gathered from a list of articles advertised for sale by public auction following the death of the then Hon. Alexander Brown (MLC) on 28 March, 1926 at his home, Cumberland Hall. His estate was valued for probate at £60,871. His widow, Edith Mary, lived at Cumberland Hall until her death in October 1929. A report of 23 Nov 1929 stated that considerable interest was manifested in the sale of the furniture and effects of the late Hon. Alexander Brown at Cumberland Hall, East Maitland, as the deceased gentleman was known to have been a keen collector of antiques and valuable furniture. |
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The loss of Cumberland Hall
The Department of Education decided the land was a suitable site for a High School and was compelled to resume it with some haste on 15 November 1929 to precede the auction on 20 November. It is recorded they paid £3,500 for the land. Mrs Helen Church then offered the Department £50 p.a. for the rental of Cumberland Hall for a period of fifteen years. She proposed to renovate the building and leave it in good order on vacating the property. Helen Church allowed her niece, Cecily Mitchell, a well-known local historian and watercolour artist, her husband and children to occupy the ground floor.The property continued to be leased by the estate until shortly before its demolition. By 1959 Cumberland Hall had succumbed to neglect and decay and its gardens lay in ruins. By 1961 demolition was complete and for the total cost of £326,964 the building of the new Maitland Girls High School commenced.
The school was completed and occupied in 1963 and all traces of Cumberland Hall and its surroundings have disappeared.
The Loss of Cumberland Hall
The Department of Education decided the land was a suitable site for a High School and was compelled to resume it with some haste on 15 November 1929 to precede the auction on 20 November. It is recorded they paid £3,500 for the land. Mrs Helen Church then offered the Department £50 p.a. for the rental of Cumberland Hall for a period of fifteen years. She proposed to renovate the building and leave it in good order on vacating the property. Helen Church allowed her niece, Cecily Mitchell, a well-known local historian and watercolour artist, her husband and children to occupy the ground floor.The property continued to be leased by the estate until shortly before its demolition. By 1959 Cumberland Hall had succumbed to neglect and decay and its gardens lay in ruins. By 1961 demolition was complete and for the total cost of £326,964 the building of the new Maitland Girls High School commenced.
The school was completed and occupied in 1963 and all traces of Cumberland Hall and its surroundings have disappeared.
Image Gallery Cumberland Hall
