The historic Caroline Chisholm cottage in East Maitland, which remains the only remaining property directly linked to the social reformer, goes to auction on November 19.
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The three-bedroom home was built as two terraces between 1831 and 1835, and rented by Chisholm in 1842 to be converted into one residence to house homeless immigrant women.
Chisholm, who was immortalised on the $5 note from 1967 to 1991, never lived in East Maitland, but was renowned throughout the colony for her reformist work championing the cause of female servants and immigrants to NSW.
The heritage-listed property with the original sandstone walls, original shingle roof under the iron roof and exposed beams in the lounge room later become Maitland's first hospital, and was known as the Maitland Benevolent Asylum.
Long known as a local tourist attraction and included on heritage walking tours, the property was restored in the mid-1990s after it was bought by local antique dealer Brian Barbie for $42,000 in 1994 as his antiques business.
It last traded in 2010 for $256,500 when bought by Lawrence Nolan-Neylan, but again needs work.
Tammy Allen, of Richardson & Wrench East Maitland, said the vendor is looking to downsize and hopes another family will take on the job of maintaining the property. It has a guide of $330,000 to $360,000.
The Heritage Council of NSW notes the Mill Street property is the only surviving building in NSW directly associated with Chisholm. "Built in the 1830s, the cottage offers a rare example of early working class housing in New South Wales."
Domain data shows the East Maitland median property price is $439,000, up 12.3 per cent in the past 12 months.
