Near the magnificent Stonehouse in Ooty is a miniature version of it, which though small is marvellous enough to cast a spell on the onlookers. The structure, originally known as the Connemara Cottage, today houses the government museum, which is a treasure trove of the Nilgiri’s art and culture. On display is art, craft, sculpture and other items related to the tribal communities, especially that of Toda, in the hill retreat.
Built by John Sullivan, the architect of modern Nilgiris, the structure today stands testimonial to the fine architecture styling of the British Raj era. While construction of the single-storey building began in 1882, it was completed only in 1885.
Located atop a hillock, the building was set up to accommodate married clerks, who worked in the secretariat, which was then housed in the majestic Stonehouse. Named after Robert Bourke, Baron of Connemara (Governor of Madras) in 1889, the Connemara Cottage, today tells the vivid tale of the different tribal communities in the hill town.
In his book Ootacamund: A History, Fredrick Price says work on the one-storey building was commenced in 1882 and completed in 1884-85 at a cost of Rs22,676, inclusive of the cost of furniture. Erected on the east side of the secretariat building, he says, it was originally meant to be quarters for married clerks.
Till February 2013, the bungalow was used as the official residence of the principal of the Ooty Government Arts College, which was started in 1955.
In 2013, then chief minister J Jayalalithaa had ordered to restore the heritage building. Later in the year, the government also proposed to convert the building into the government museum.
Subsequently, higher officials with the tourism, and art and culture departments inspected the building and instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to renovate the structure without making any changes to the original architecture.
The PWD then revamped the building over a period of four years at a cost of Rs45 lakh under the Hill Area Development Programme. Finally, the Connemara Cottage was ready to house the government museum in 2017. The government museum was functioning out of a private building on Ooty-Mysuru road until then.
The museum showcases the tradition and culture of tribals such as Toda, Irula, Kurumba, Kotha and the Badagas. It also houses 2,000-year-old megalithic articles and palm and bamboo manuscripts found in the Nilgiris.
K A Murugavel, curator of the museum, said, “The interior and the display facilities were done at a cost of Rs58 lakh from the Rs1.15 crore that was sanctioned by the Union government for the development of the museum in 2018.”
Geetha Srinivasan, patron, district chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, said the museum, which was housed in the historic heritage building, should showcase more of the rare artefacts of tribal culture, tradition and the history of the Nilgiris. “It should be made a learning centre for students.”
According to her special care was taken during the restoration work not to make structural changes to the building and preserve the heritage value of the building.