The original cottage was built in the 1830s, one of the oldest rural dwellings in the area, and a wonderful example of its type. It faced northeast, with views across the Yass River. It was bought in 1840 by Hamilton Hume, the Australian-born explorer, who lived here for the rest of his life. Hume added about twenty rooms to the original cottage in a haphazard arrangement, completely ignoring the original style of the house. After he died, the house had several owners and uses. It was a sanatorium then a horse stud. By the time it was acquired by the National Trust, it was in bad shape, with its owner sharing the one habitable room with spiders and hens.