Mahogany Inn

Statement of Significance

The Old Mahogany Inn has very high aesthetic, social and historic significance for the Shire of Mundaring and the State. The location and setting have identifiable landmark qualities which add to its aesthetic significance. The role the inn has played, along the route leading to the early agricultural and development areas of the State, has important social and historic significance together with high authenticity and representativeness of the place. Associations with local identities such as the Byfields, and important State figures of the day, such as the Chief Justice S.H. Parker, further adds to the significance of the place.

Physical Description

The Mahogany Inn sits on the south side of the Great Eastern Highway in spacious, simply laid out gardens. Some of the large trees on the site feature in early paintings and photographs of the property and therefore add to its setting and probably its significance. The original barracks, and later the inn, are still visible and identifiable from the front of the property. The building's Colonial Georgian character is reflected in the low, red painted corrugated iron, hipped roof and the 'whitewashed' rendered stone walls with narrow, vertical windows. Across the front the long veranda (supported on backward leaning timber columns) terminates at each end against parapet walls on the leanto wings down the sides of the old inn. All the recent buildings have been incorporated at the rear so that on the whole the appearance of the front of the building is much as it has been for over a hundred and fifty years. The new buildings provide restaurant, function and reception room facilities catering for up to 120 guests attached across the rear of the original building and twelve accommodation units further up the sloping site to the east. Whilst the additions are of unmistakably recent origins, they do confuse the transition internally between the old and new elements. More clearly defined separation would identity the significance of the original fabric. The additions were well intentioned for their time (in the 1970's) in trying to create "old world charm"; however, today they have the urbane, white render and heavy timber appearance of'Spanish' and 'Swiss' style project housing of the period. The dark interiors of the new reception and function rooms are decorated with a collection of early farming implements and lifestyle artifacts that provide useful interpretive information but not in any apparent specific context. The old Mahogany Inn building itself is in sound but susceptible condition and construction of the new reception facilities has taken away the pressure of constant use. This has added considerably to the survival of the original fabric which is largely intact. The original rooms on the ground floor are now only used for small private functions in either the dining room or bar. The low, leanto eastern wing, is set up for display and viewing with old furniture and artifacts of earlier periods. Upstairs the two attic rooms are closed from public access because of their deteriorating condition particularly to the very low ceilings and walls of wattle or tea tree lathing with mud/horse hair plaster. Previously these rooms were also available for viewing and old furniture and memorabilia is still in place.

History

The first permanent building to be established at the site known as Mahogany Inn, was a granite barracks, with separate kitchen and store, to house patrols for the protection of travellers on the Guildford to York road. The site was also convenient to a road which branched off to Northam. Established in 1839, the Mahogany Creek Barracks were abandoned in September 1841, and in November 1842, Perth merchants William and Robert Habgood purchased 320 acres (100 ha) of land surrounding the former barracks, setting up a "Road-side House".

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: high - although the additions at the rear obscure the original fabric which is still largely intact. Modifications: Various alterations and additions including recent reception and accommodation units.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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