Manning House (1920)

Figure 14. Courtesy of the University of Sydney Archives, 1920 [G3_224_MF374_0210]. Manning House. Photograph, https://www.sydney.edu.au/arms/archives/media/me_objects/718.[1]

You have now arrived at Manning House, as you can see in the photograph taken in 1920 (Fig. 14). In 1908, the Women’s Association at the University launched a campaign to have a proper women’s common room built, as the number of female students was increasing, and the temporary wooden cottage used at the time was no longer adequate.[2] So, Manning house was completed in 1917 and contained two common rooms, a reading room, and a dining hall.[3] Like many buildings on campus, it was built in Gothic Revival style with sandstone dressings and unique detailing.[4] Manning House is associated with many notable women alumni, and many were commemorated in the naming of the rooms.[5]

Looking around at the busy site today, it is amazing to think that Manning House was once an isolated building as seen in the photograph. The open landscape is now filled with trees, people, cars, and buildings. When you are ready, turn around to view the site of your next stop.

     [1] “University Archives Mediabank.”

     [2] Kerr, Attenbrow, Stanborough, Ellsmore, and Marshall,  Appendix A, A43.

     [3] Kerr, Attenbrow, Stanborough, Ellsmore, and Marshall,  Appendix A, A43.

     [4] Kerr, Attenbrow, Stanborough, Ellsmore, and Marshall,  Appendix A, A43.

     [5] Kerr, Attenbrow, Stanborough, Ellsmore, and Marshall,  Appendix A, A43.