Frequently Asked Questions
Historic houses raise many intriguing questions, and it is no surprise that a unique property such as Black Rock House has its fair share.
Here are just a few – a visit to the house will help you discover which, if any of them are true.
-
From where was the stone quarried for the walls of Black Rock House?
-
For what purpose did Charles Ebden build Black Rock House?
-
What was Charles Ebden’s middle name?
-
What were the Christian and Maiden names of Charles Ebden’s wife?
-
What was Charles Ebden’s office in the first Victorian Parliament?
-
In which country was Charles Ebden born and in which year?
-
What was his job before becoming a politician?
-
Why did the stonemasons reportedly ‘down tools’ at Black Rock House?
-
What classic children’s story is depicted in the wallpaper in the Nursery at Black Rock House?
-
Which State Governor of Victoria rented Black Rock House as a seaside resort in the 1860’s?
-
Which explorer was reportedly given a farewell party at Black Rock House in 1860?
-
Who purchased Black Rock House in 1974?
-
Name the apparatus said to connect the Bedroom opposite the Nursery with the Cellar.
-
What colour is the marble fireplace in the Dining Room?
-
When was Black Rock House built?
-
There are two huge trees in the garden, reportedly planted when the house was built. What type of trees are they?
-
Who wore the maroon velvet dress hanging in the Nursery? A little boy or girl?
-
For how long did Black Rock House remain in the Ebden family after Charles Ebden died in 1867?
-
Where are Charles Ebden and his children Kate and George buried?
-
How many children in total did Mr and Mrs Ebden have?
-
How many acres did Ebden originally purchase to build his proposed Ebden Castle?
-
How has Black Rock House acquired the furniture and other items currently on display?
-
In what year did the Friends of Black Rock House group form?
-
Is there any item in Black Rock House that may be original?
-
Why did Charles Ebden name his holiday house ‘Black Rock House’?
-
What name did Charles Ebden give to another residence he built 8 miles north of Black Rock House? What is now the name of the suburb of the location of this house?
The list goes on … and wait until you hear about the ghosts!
Answers
- The local beach at Quiet Corner.
- As a seaside holiday resort.
- Hotson
- Tamar Harding
- Auditor-General
- South Africa in 1811
- Pastoralist
- To seek their fortune at the goldfields
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin
- Sir Henry Barkly
- William Wills
- The Sandringham Council
- A dumb-waiter
- Black
- Between 1856-58
- Moreton Bay Fig Trees
- A little boy
- 44 years until 1911
- The Melbourne General Cemetery
- Five (Kate died aged 9 and George died when a baby)
- 122 acres
- Through public donations and fundraising by the Friends of Black Rock House
- 1979
- The armchair in the Drawing Room
- Reportedly as a tribute to his wife’s childhood home – Black Rock, Ireland.
- Elster – the suburb is now known as Elsternwick