Government House and Grounds

Child Places

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• 02096 Government House Ballroom

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The following statement, is taken from the gazetted permanent State Register Entry for the place, as the reasons for its cultural heritage signficance: Government House and Grounds, comprising Government House (1864), Ballroom (1899), Landscaped Gardens and mature plantings, including commemorative trees, Perimeter Wall (c.1850), Lodge (1904) and archaeological deposits is significant for the following reasons: + the place is of exceptional cultural heritage significance for its historical and ongoing role as part of the administrative centre for Western Australia, its essential contributions to the story of governance of the State, and as the continuing official residence of the Governor; + the place is exceptionally aesthetically pleasing for its eclectic and unique architectural style in its extensive garden setting; + the place is significant for its associations with prominent visitors to the State as the Governor receives guests including visiting royalty, Heads of State, and other official dignitaries; + the place is associated with the Engineers' Department who were responsible for both convict and colonial works, and represents the first important colonial building to be completed by the Public Works Department which was created in 1863; + the place contains extensive archaeological deposits and features, including those relating to the former Government House building, with the potential to reveal much about early colonial life, garden design and philosophy, and the many prominent individuals associated with the place; + the place is a landmark and makes a striking contribution to the streetscape of the State’s capital city; + the place is important as a reflection of the historical development of the city centre and its place within the large government domain originally set aside in 1829; + the place is significant for the physical evidence within its curtilage for existing landscape forms that can be traced back to the original topography at the time of European settlement; and, + the place holds a high degree of social significance for the people of Western Australia for its important historical associations, high aesthetic value, its ongoing use for community events, and its contribution to the community’s sense of place, as well as being an important tourist attraction.

Physical Description

Government House is a two story brick building in the Victorian Tudor style. Various Picturesque elements such as bonded brickwork, squared mullioned windows, decorated gables Jacobean ogee-roofed towers and Gothic arcading are combined in this electric but resolved composition.

History

This building was constructed next to the original Government House (1834) which was demolished during the 1880's. Soon after completion of the new building, extensive alterations were carried out to suit the requirements of the new Governor. Major additions were constructed in 1898, these included a dining room, supper room and billiard room. During World War 11 Government House was used as government offices.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. High level of authenticity. There have been modifications to the building over time.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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