Baesjou Cottage

Statement of Significance

Baesjou Cottage has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
It was the cottage and surgery of Albany’s first permanent government medical officer/doctor, Johan Antonius Baesjou, and who was first Consul for the Netherlands for Western Australia.
It is representative of the early Victorian period and one of the first buildings built in what was then Frederick Street.
It is one of a group of significant buildings in York Street containing a diverse range of architecture predominantly in the Federation and Inter-War styles which together have formed the main commercial and civic heart of Albany next to Stirling Terrace Precinct and with important views to Princess Royal Harbour.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Solid construction – originally had distinct Georgian features
• Building is low, domestic scale reflective of the period
• Boxed eaves
• Hipped medium pitched corrugated iron roof
• Three doors and two small windows

Some obvious modifications include:
• Modification for storeroom
• External cement render
• Metal window shields
• New roof

History

Dr Johan Antonius Baesjou was the first permanent government Medical Officer/doctor in Albany. He came to Albany in 1857 and was naturalised in 1858. In September 1863, Baesjou was also appointed the first Consul for the Netherlands for Western Australia.. After 11 years as Albany’s medical officer, on 2 October 1867, Dr Baesjou died. Baesjou represented a tragedy of the era before social security. In 1867 he suffered a crippling stroke but as he was neither wealthy nor able to provide for his wife and children by working, it is thought the pressure led to him committing suicide. He left an estate of between £200 and £300 in savings and an insurance policy of £500.

In the 1860s this building, believed to be Dr Baesjou’s cottage and surgery, was one of only two houses in what was then called Frederick Street. Originally it was a small cottage with a front door flanked by two sash windows, in a garden setting with pine trees. It was built of local brick shell and a corrugated iron roof. In the 1920s the building was owned by Mr Smith and a store had been added. In the 1950s the building, which by now was situated behind the shops on the corner of Peels Place and York Street, was converted into a storeroom for groceries and wine for a nearby Chinese restaurant, and the windows were shielded in metal and the walls heavily cement rendered.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate
Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.