Aldersyde

Statement of Significance

Aldersyde has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is associated with Constantine Stephen John Baesjou and his wife Jessie (nee Moir) who were both born in Albany and lived here all their life, and who became well-known and prominent in the local commercial, shipping and merchant industry. The place has landmark and aesthetic value as a fine example of Victorian Regency style residence but which in its original detailing had elements of Victorian Filigree, set on a prominence on the lot and with its well-presented though austere landscape which provides sweeping views from the street. The place reflects the typical dwelling of a rising middle class that emerged from the commercial and service industries that developed around the port of Albany in the latter part of the 19th century particularly when Albany was the main port for Western Australia and popular holiday resort. The place is one of a group of houses/buildings in the historically important Vancouver Street that have heritage value both individually and as part of a streetscape.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Prominent elevated position • Set back from the road • Building raised on wide rough coursed stone footings/plinth • Symmetrical facade – central door with large bay windows on either side • Three double hung sash windows in each bay • Hipped corrugated iron roof with a half pyramidal section over each bay • Curved verandah across front elevation under separate roof • Timber verandah posts with iron lace fringe and timber balustrading • Access provided by a set of steep timber stairs located centrally

History

Aldersyde is located on original Town Lot 182. The Rate Book entry for 1890 lists the owner as C J S Baesjou who also lived in the house. The house can be seen in a panorama photograph of Albany dated 1889 along with the house next door at 24-26 Vancouver Street. Constantine Stephen John Baesjou was the eldest son of Dr Baesjou who was the first medical officer at Albany. Con Baesjou was born in Albany on 27 January 1861 and lived in Albany his whole life. He had a brother Gus. He married Jessie Moir, daughter of Alexander Moir (who owned the house next door Dalkeith at 24-26 Vancouver Street). They had two daughters (Nella and Sister Gwendoline Constance Melville (Gwen)) and a son. Their son served in WWI but he returned home in 1918 invalided and died of complications from shell shock soon after. Con Baesjou’s early working career included with J McKail and Co., the Customs Department and the P&O Shipping Co. He married Jessie Moir, daughter of Alexander Moir (who owned the house next door Dalkeith at 24-26 Vancouver Street). They had two daughters (Nella and Sister Gwendoline Constance Melville (Gwen)) and a son. Their son served in WWI but he returned home in 1918 invalided and died of complications from shell shock soon after. In 1900 Con Baesjou started his own business and commissioning agent. Jessie had her own cash store on Perth Road (now Albany Highway). Con Baesjou had only just retired for 6 weeks from his active working life when he died on 14th August 1940 at his home Aldersyde. Jessie died only a year later in 1941.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update