Local Government
Cottesloe
Region
Metropolitan
9 Servetus St Cottesloe
House moved 13/8/96 to Allen Park, Swanbourne.
Cottesloe
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1907
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Register | Removed | 01 Jul 2021 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 30 Sep 1995 | Category 7 | |
| Register of the National Estate | Removed from RNE | |||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 06 Aug 1973 | ||
The cottage was built by the famous Australian writer Joseph Furphy. It has become one of the most famous literary museums in Australia. The place is also significant for the rare beaten copper panels decorating the fireplace and doors. One of a decreasing number of weatherboard cottages in the metropolitan area.
Dwelling has been relocated to Allen Park in Swanbourne. "Tom Collins' House", A typical worker's cottage of simple design constructed in 1907 with weatherboards and an iron roof. Gable fronted with projecting front room and verandah to the side. This has been partially filled in to create a small entrance foyer. At a latter date the front door was moved to the side entering off the verandah. Triple glazed sash window to front living room with protecting iron sun hood. No decorative trims. Alterations to the interior during the 1930s include a fireplace surround with beaten copper overmantle and plaquettes, and doors with beaten copper panels with motifs based on grapevines, fruiting quandong trees and kangaroo-paws. Unsympathetic brick addition to the rear of the cottage, otherwise high integrity.
One of the first homes to be erected in Servetus Street, Tom Collins House, was built by the famous Australian writer Joseph Furphy (1843-1912) in 1907. Using the pen name of Tom Collins, Furphy wrote the classic Such is Life which was published in 1903. Furphy built the home with the help of a neighbour who was a builder, and planted a fig and mulberry tree which still exist today. After Joseph's, then his wife Leonie's death, their son Sam and wife Mattie moved into the house in the 1930s. Mattie installed the beaten copper fireplace overmantle and door panels she created for her previous home. These have considerable artistic and rarity value. In 1949 the house became the headquarters of the Fellowship of Australian Writers (WA) and literary museum. Tom Collins House has been classified by the National Trust, is listed on the National Estate register and interim listed with the state's Heritage Council.
Integrity fair-good Modifications additions over years - front door realigned to side etc
Site
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marchant James, R; "Heritage of Pines". | 1977 | ||
| Lang J; "At the Toss of a Coin". | Tom Collins Press | 1987 | |
| Lang J; "The Cottesleo Story". p. 106-108 | 1977 | ||
| AHC; "The Heritage of Western Australia: The illustrated Register of the National Estate." p. 13 | Australian Heritage Council | 1989 |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8427 | The Furphy family in Western Australia : upwardly mobile in Perth. | Journal article | 2005 |
| 734 | Heritage assessment and conservation plan for Tom Collins House. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1995 |
| 87 | Tom Collins and his house | Book | 1973 |
| 4437 | Post haste the millennium: opportunities & challenges in Local Studies. Proceedings of the 2nd National ALIA Local studies Section Conference. | Conference proceedings | 1999 |
| 88 | At the toss of a coin : Joseph Furphy the western link. | Book | 1987 |
| 1195 | Tom Collins' house. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 0 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Other |
| Original Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
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