The Old Curiosity Shop

Built by bricklayer and plasterer James Warwick who migrated from Cornwall around 1855 with his wife Caroline, a year following the Eureka Rebellion and during Victoria’s Gold Rush.

Ballarat was considered the world’s richest alluvial goldfield during its peak between 1852 and 1853. The gold rush brought migrants from all over the world to Victoria and with so many people coming to look for gold, the town soon became bigger.

Drawn to the bustling life of Ballarat, with its high demand for workers to cater to the goldfield populace, James pursued his profession. He quickly set up his business specialising in chimneys and built his home shortly after settling in the town. His two-room cottage was a common sight in the area, standing out only due to James vibrant multicoloured brick chimneys.

James Warwick soon started a collection that gradually turned into an obsession. He gathered various items such as broken glass bottles, pieces of china, old dolls (parts or whole), glazed tiles, shells, teapots, crockery, jars, lids, crocks, cups, and other miscellaneous art objects. He used these to adorn his cottage, leaving no corner untouched. He decorated the walls, paths, and fences with equal enthusiasm. He encouraged the influx of materials by rewarding children with pennies and sweets for a broken doll or piece if china, which would then be adhered to the fence using James unique mortar mix made from crushed shells.

At some point the house was extended to accomodate 4 rooms but it is unknown exactly when this took place. It seems it was very early and probably before it opened to the public as the Old Curiosity House.

In 1897, Warwick’s cottage, known as the “Old Curiosity House”, was opened to the public. People came from all over to marvel at the wonders within and an admission fee of 3d. was charged for the experience.

 In the few years before James’ death a year after opening to the public in 1898, the house had become known as the ‘Old Curiosity Shop’, inspiring associations with the Charles Dickens novel of the same name. Caroline continued to run the business until she passed in approx 1901. The shop passed to their son Charles and then to a succession of owners who continued to exhibit the work of the Warwicks until it closed to the public in 1999.

It was dubbed “The Queerest House in Australia” by cartoonist Robert Ripley of Ripley’s Believe it or Not during a visit in 1943.

The house is currently privately owned and occupied with the current owner having renovated the property suitable for modern living. It is understood some of the original interior still exists but the majority of curios were sold to antique collectors a number of years ago.

Check out the Gallery Page to see photo’s taken during the 60’s of some of the items from within the house as well as shell and masaic work on the walls and other interesting things in the gardens.

James and Caroline Warwick