Hall's Cottage

Statement of Significance

• A local landmark and tourist attraction.
• Has a close association with a number of people who contributed to the early development of Mandurah.
• Illustrates the lifestyle of the early European settlers.
• Demonstrates the style of architecture that was adopted by early settlers in the Mandurah area.

Physical Description

Hall’s Cottage is one of the earliest homesteads in the district typifying the very earliest dwellings constructed by European settlers in the early years after the Swan River Colony was founded. Constructed of local limestone and originally roofed with hand-split sheoak shingles, the five-roomed cottage demonstrates simplicity of construction and design.

History

The cottage (was also known as ‘Dedallamup’) was built by Henry Hall as the home for his family, who came to Western Australia in the Protector in February 1830. Henry Hall was the Squire of Shakerstone Manor in Leicestershire and upon arrival in the Colony his extensive cargo entitled him to a land grant of some 16,594 acres south of the mouth of the Harvey River, and 200 acres on the western bank of the inlet opposite Peel Town.
Unfortunately the land proved infertile, and after several years of hardship their first home and its contents were destroyed by fire. It was then, that Hall’s Cottage was built, probably with the assistance of tradesmen and
servants brought out by Hall from England.
Further misfortune led the family to move to Perth in 1836, and Henry Hall to return to England in 1841 to acquire capital. At this time the cottage was leased to Thomas Watson, Mandurah’s first mail contractor and an inn keeper. Later occupants included John Sutton and his family (1843), Henry Hastings Hall (Henry Edward Hall’s son - 1867-1871), and Henry Sutton, John Sutton’s son. Henry Sutton made some improvements to the building for the accommodation of travellers. After Henry Sutton’s death in 1921 the property was transferred to Joseph Cooper in 1923, and from 1925 when the Sutton family vacated Hall’s Cottage, it was rented out. On the completion of maintenance work in 1967 the Junior Farmers organisation used it as their headquarters, and in 1972 the Mandurah Historical Society moved in, opening the building to the public as a district museum in 1975.

Integrity/Authenticity

Authenticity : High (Restored)

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.