Captain Cook's Cottage in Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens has been closed to the public due to safety concerns, according to reports. The closure comes ahead of the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook's arrival in Australia, which has sparked debate over his legacy.
The cottage, originally built in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, was transported to Melbourne in 1934 by industrialist Russell Grimwade to mark the city's centenary. However, historians note that Cook never actually lived in the cottage, and there is no evidence he ever visited it. The building was home to his parents in their later years.
The site has long been a subject of controversy, with critics arguing it perpetuates a myth about Cook's connection to Australia. Cook first sighted the Australian coast at Point Hicks, now in Victoria, but never set foot in what is now Melbourne. The cottage's relocation was based on a tenuous link promoted by journalist Hermon Gill.
As Australia prepares for commemorations of the 250th anniversary of Cook's arrival, including a $6.7 million circumnavigation by a replica of the Endeavour, the closure of the cottage highlights ongoing tensions over colonial history. Indigenous groups have called for a more accurate representation of Cook's impact, including violence against Aboriginal people.
