Strawberry Hill Farm & Gardens

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Place Number

00032

Enlarge Map

Show Property Street View

There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.

Location

168-170 Middleton Rd Albany

Location Details

Other Name(s)

Barnup
Old Farm, Strawberry Hill
Strawberry Hill Farms and Gardens
The Old Farm

Local Government

Albany

Region

Great Southern

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Heritage List	Adopted	27 Oct 2020		City of Albany
State Register	Registered	02 Jul 1993	Register Entry	Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	30 Jun 2001	Category A+	Category A+ • Already recognised at the highest level – the WA State Register of Heritage Places. Redevelopment requires consultation with the Heritage Council of WA and the City of Albany. • Provide maximum encouragement to the owner under the City of Albany Town Planning Scheme to conserve the significance of the place. • Incentives to promote heritage conservation should be considered.	City of Albany
Local Heritage Survey	Adopted	27 Oct 2020	Exceptional	Exceptional Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example.	City of Albany
Register of the National Estate	Permanent	21 Mar 1978			Heritage Council
Classified by the National Trust	Classified {Lscpe}				Heritage Council
Classified by the National Trust	Classified	04 Apr 1977			Heritage Council

Statement of Significance

Long association with the history of Western Australia and architectural and aesthetic interest.
The place has been assessed by the National Trust of Western Australia (WA) and has been entered in the Register held by that body as a classified building with the following statement of significance:
The farm dates from 1827 when it was a government garden supplying the military detachment at King George Sound and is one of the earliest cultivated sites in Western Australia. It was turned into a country residence by Sir Richard Spencer in 1833. It is significant for its architectural/technical accomplishment and demonstration of a way of life as well as having historical significance and scarcity value.
The place has also been assessed by the Australian heritage Commission and has been entered in the Register of the National Esetate with the following statement of significance:
Strawberry Hill is historically significant as the first farm in Western Australia, being originally a government farm established in 1827 as a military outpost. The present house is a two storey portion erected in 1836 with historical associations with Sir Richard Spencer who resided at the farm from 1833 to 1889. In the period from then until 1956 there are historical associations with the Bird family. Francis Bird, who was an architect, renovated the old protion of the house in 1889 and his work is evident today.

Physical Description

Two storey stone farm house. The old farm is a fine early example of a country gentleman's residence and estate, comprising a main residence and associated ancillary buildings. The composition is asymmetrical and the stone construction is clearly evident with grey slate roofs complementing the earth colours of the walls. The main residence is two storey and entry is via a central vestibule which connects the larger and smaller buildings. Particularly important are the mature trees and landscaping of the entrance drive and the old orchard.

History

Traditionally a meeting place for Menang aboriginal people.
Established as a government farm in 1826
Purchased by Original Owner Sir RIchard Spencer and in the 1890's by Francis and Maude Bird.

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
11711	Old farm, Strawberry Hill : Interpretation plan	Heritage Study {Other}	2012
7881	Albany: spectacular!	Brochure	0
1937	The Old Farm, Strawberry Hill, Albany, Western Australia.	Heritage Study {Other}	1965
9980	Old Farm at Strawberry Hill - conservation report. DRAFT	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	1999
3258	The Old Farm Strawberry Hill, Albany WA : five year plan.	Report	1992
5581	Old farm, Strawberry Hill, Albany : conservation works (final report).	Conservation works report	2001
11710	Old Farm, Strawberry Hill	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	2012

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	COMMERCIAL	Hotel, Tavern or Inn
Original Use	RESIDENTIAL	Two storey residence
Present Use	COMMERCIAL	Restaurant
Present Use	EDUCATIONAL	Museum
Original Use	RESIDENTIAL	Single storey residence
Original Use	FARMING\PASTORAL	Homestead

Architectural Styles

Style
Other Style

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	STONE	Other Stone

Historic Themes

General	Specific
OCCUPATIONS	Rural industry & market gardening
OCCUPATIONS	Grazing, pastoralism & dairying

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

30 Mar 2021

Disclaimer

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.