The extraordinary story about Grannie Rhodes' and  Mulberry Cottage B&B,
                by Miriam Cooper, Richmond, Tasmania

   email: miriam23@bigpond.net.au

  TIDY TOWNS TOURISM AWARD '09: "Bringing joy to the lives of the young and not so young"

This has been an extraordinary story. So much that is synchronystic has happened  in the last nine years that Miriam is completing a book about all the amazing things that have occurred. Miriam bought  the derelict heritage listed Grannie Rhodes' Cottage in 2000. It proved to be too difficult to restore  so she designed and had built, what has now become Mulberry Cottage B&B. The new residence (top left) is constructed from convict cut stone, the reclaimed the wall of Hobart's Old Penitentiary and windows from the old Marine Board building on Hobart's water front.  So you sleep behind prison walls!
Grannie Rhodes ' Cottage,(above), is not for accommodation. It has been restored to show the 1830's - 1880's in a cultural heritage theatre production, that Miriam researched and wrote, "Turn the Key of Time". The attraction has become an integral part of the business at Mulberry Cottage B&B but stands on its own as a multi award winning attraction and cultural heritage icon. Being the only cottage left in Richmond with no electricity or water, it is an historic gem not to be changed.

The well researched (thanks to help from many) and unusual performance is an experience of history not to be missed. "Turn the Key of Time" is a 45 minute play and cottage tour. You will be transported back to England in 1824. The true story honours a small group of women who came to join their convict husbands in Van Diemen’s Land. Maria Wilby, the 12 year old daughter of a convict came with her mother and two sisters from Northamptonshire, UK, finally to become the legendary Grannie Rhodes of Richmond.

There are a couple of mysteries to be solved- just how many children did she have? why was enough dynamite to blow up all of Richmond buried in her garden ?  This is an experience of history you will never forget. “Brilliant for all ages” especially good for teenagers-

In 2004 locals were asking Miriam to take their accommodation overflow knowing that she had previously run the successful Holm Lodge B&B in Bellerive for 17years. She enjoyed doing it again so much that she decided to add to the building - the Garden Wing, which commenced in 2004. In late 2008 Christmas Cottage was added this too is built from the remainder of the Penitentiary stone AND some from the Hobart Myer building -destroyed recently by fire. Mulberry Cottage makes no pretences at being a grand country house but offers homely unique accommodation an unusual touch of history for your evening's entertainment,a friendly atmosphere, rustic surroundings, a rural view and a great welcome from the hostess, Ted, the retriever and Honey, the cat). Your stay will be "most memorable."

Your friendly host, Miriam is now doing all the things she loves most, hosting and performing having "retired" from teaching in '05. Now she researches and performs her stories far and wide. Other pieces she has written are all about historic characters and events in Tasmania's history and spread its unusual history. These are available to be perfomed at your venue, or you can commission your own story! Miriam has won several awards for the business including  Tasmanian Small Business Champion Entrepreneur of the Year '07.

The original site in a very early photo - it seems it was a brick works.

Is this Granny in front of her bark hut?

Dynamite!