The cottage was constructed in 1755 in the English village of Great Ayton, North Yorkshire by the parents of Captain James Cook.
In 1933 the owner of the cottage decided to sell it with a condition that the building remain in England. She was persuaded to change “England” to “the Empire”, and accepted an Australian bid of £800, by Russell Grimwade.
The cottage was deconstructed brick by brick and packed into 253 cases and 40 barrels for shipping on board the Port Dunedin from Hull. The cottage was then reconstructed and is now located in Fitzroy Gardens Melbourne
The Travels of Birgit 