Tuart House

Statement of Significance

Tuart House and Garden has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:•
The place has considerable cultural heritage significance through its association with The University of Western Australia, its Vice Chancellors and its cultural contributions through the Department of Music, UWA Press and the Festival of Perth.
The 1963-64 additions to the building have no relationship to the original purpose of Tuart House, were of a temporary nature made of lightweight materials and, although having social significance, are not considered to be physically significant and are considered to be intrusive.

Physical Description

Named ‘Tuart House’ after the native Tuart trees of the site, the building was designed by Summerhayes, Baxter Cox. Construction in 1934 was by A. T. Brine & Sons Ltd, founded in 1894, the oldest member of Master Builders WA, and builder of Winthrop Hall, Hackett Hall, WA Trustees, St Mary’s Cathedral and Gleddon Building. The stairway balustrade and gates were by well-known iron worker, W. Priestner and the perimeter stone walls were by F. J. Deacon. Construction was funded from the University’s Hackett Funds for a total cost of just over £4,107, which was later refunded from University investment funds.
A rare example of a pictorial mosaic designed by George Benson for £10.10.0 and crafted in mosaic by Messrs Bateman’s Ltd, at a cost of £12.5.0, sits above the north entrance porch of the house 22. It carries the words 'Tuart House' in red lettering set against a background of native tuart trees, with the Swan River and Darling Ranges in the distance. George Benson also designed the motifs on the ceiling of Winthrop Hall.

History

Tuart House was built in 1934 as a home for Vice Chancellors of The University of Western Australia. It was first occupied by Professor H.E. Whitfeld (Vice Chancellor 1927-39), then Professor Sir George Currie (Vice Chancellor 1940-52) and finally by Professor Sir Stanley Prescott (Vice Chancellor 1953-70) and their families. It was officially named ‘Tuart House’ by the Chancellor, the Hon Sir Walter James, at an afternoon tea on Friday, 26 April 1935. Amongst the luminaries who attended the opening were the Vice Chancellor Professor Whitfeld, and Senators Sir John Northmore Chief Justice, Wallace Clubb Esq, Dr J.P. Ainslie, Hon J.M. Drew MLC, Associate Professor A.C. Fox, Rabbi D.I. Freeman, E.W. Gillett, Dr Roberta H.M. Jull, H. Middleton, Professor Walter L.F. Murdoch, G.S.J. Norton, Professor A.D. Ross, W.E. Thomas, William Somerville, and Miss M.O. Stevens as well as Mrs J.S. Battye, wife of the Pro Chancellor J.S. Battye. The gardens were landscaped by Oliver Dowell, working closely with Professor Whitfeld. He was the University’s Foreman Gardener from 1930 to 1946 and was later responsible for the creation of the University’s Sunken Garden in the 1940s.

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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.