John Curtin's House

Statement of Significance

AESTHETIC VALUE »
John Curtin's House is a competent example of the Inter War California
Bungalow style residence/ conservative in its approach to the style and not in any way distinguishable from its context by virtue of particular design qualities. John Curtin's House contributes to the general context and tenor of the immediate district; an area that is highly regarded for its density of well designed Federation period and inter-war residences.

HISTORIC VALUE
John Curtin's House is of significance as the family home of John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia during World War Two from 1941 to his death in 1945.
John Curtin's House is of significance as the family home of John Curtin from its construction in 1923 to 1945, and is believed to have been designed by him. Journalist, political activist, Labor politician, leader of the Australian Labor Party and Prime Minister from 1941 to his death m 1945 during World War Two John Curtin was the first representative of a Western Australian electorate to serve as Prime Minister.
John Curtin's House is of significance also as the family home of John Curtin’s wife, Elsie Curtin CBE, member of the Fremantle Women's Labor
Organisation, State President of the Western Australian Labor Women's
Organisation, member of the Central Council of the Red Cross Society and Patron of the Cottesloe Ladies' Surf Life Saving Club/ from 1923 to her death in 1975.
SOCIAL VALUE
John Curtin 's House is valued for social and cultural reasons as the home of
John Curtin from 1923 to his death in 1945, by the community of Cottesloe as evidenced by its inclusion in the Municipal Inventory/ and by the wider community of Western Australia and of Australia/ as evidenced by its purchase by the Commonwealth and State governments. Further the naming of Curtin Avenue, Curtin House, Curtin University and John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library after John Curtin constitute a mark of his significance and of the "significance of the places associated with him. With its acquisition by the State and Commonwealth/ and with interpretation John Curtins House may continue to contribute significantly to the wider
community's sense of place.
RARITY
John Curtins House has rarity value to the State as the longstanding residence of the only representative of a Western Australian electorate to be elected Prime Minister m the history of the State to 1999.
REFRESENTATIVENESS
John Curtins House is representative of the Inter War California Bungalow style and is a conservative interpretation of the style. It is a typical middle class dwelling.
INTEGRITY
John Curtin’s House remains in use a a dwelling although this is likely to change following its acquisition by the State and Commonwealth. The long-term aim is conservation and interpretation, and as such the long term viability of the place appears sustainable; The present integrity of the place is high.
12.5 AUTHENTICITY
John Curtin's House was constructed and then went though a number of
minor alterations during John Curtin's time/ with a further small number of changes undertaken during the Curtin family's remaining time in the house from 1945 to 1998. Curtains, bookshelves, built in cupboards and other quite minor detailed items remain intact. There were extensions of rooms into the verandah zone and room uses which changed pre World War Two. Overall the place retains a moderate to high degree of authenticity.

Physical Description

Single storey brick and tile residence in the inter-War California bungalow style.

History

Assessment 2001

Construction 1923
Builder Arnold Bullock
John Curtin's House, a single storey brick and tile residence in the inter-War California bungalow style, including furnishings fittings and other contents has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
. The place was the family home of John Curtin, journalist, political activist, Labor politician, leader of the Australian Labor Party, and Prime Minister of Australia, the first representative of a Western Australian electorate to be Prime Minister of Australia from 1941 to his death in 1945;
. The place was the family home of John Curtin's wife, Elsie Curtin CBE, a prominent figure in public life at local and state level in Western Australia, from 1923 to her death in 1975; and, . The place is highly valued by the community of Cottesloe, of Western Australia, and of Australia as the home of John Curtin contributing to the community's sense of place.
The timber weatherboard construction laundry, replacement eastern timber lattice, and brick construction water closet, together with mature tree plantings are considered to be of some significance. The twin rear garages are of little cultural heritage significance.
Note: The NTWA assessment includes a comprehensive section on documentary evidence.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.