House, 58 Kenny Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as an example of the Inter War style.
• The place has historic value for its association with development in the Inter War period.
• This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing for working families in the inter war period.

Physical Description

A single storey timber framed and weatherboard clad dwelling with a CGI clad hipped roof. A separate CGI bullnose verandah extends across the entire south elevation and is supported by turned timber pillars. The verandah floor is constructed from timber decking. The south elevation consists of a centrally placed front entrance, flanked by two timber framed, one-overone pane sash windows. The front entrance has a timber panelled front door with sidelights and a fanlight. The dwelling has a picket and brick fence which slightly obscures the house and a modern hipped carport has been built in front of the eastern corner of the south elevation.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided by a group of investors in the early 1900s under the promotional name of 'Tanner's Estate' or the 'Tanner's Extension Estate'. The group of investors included some of the most well-known members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr. J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Kenny Street was named after Dr Daniel Kenny (1860-1915), born in Ireland
and trained as a medical doctor at Trinity College; he achieved several prominent postings in medical, political and business life in Western Australia. The street began to be settled in the 1910s with most intense development in the Inter War period. From the available evidence this residence was constructed in 1919 and the first occupants were newlyweds ex Serviceman, Alfred Harry Lewis (c1888-1951) and Dorothy Kathleen Lewis, nee Haines (c1898-1983) who had married in 1918. Harry Lewis was a fitter’s assistant and the couple and their four children lived at the residence for approximately 10 years before moving to 14 Kenny Street. The property was extended prior to the mid-20th century and this addition was extended c1990 bringing the entire addition under a new roof form at the rear of the residence.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate/Low

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.