Atwell Farm (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Atwell House is significant for the following reasons:

Aesthetic Value: The site offers a clear view of the original farmhouse in open grounds to the river.

Historic Value: Evidence of recent rural history of the area and of dairying as an early industry.

Social Value: With the establishment of the Arts Centre and Gallery the building has become an important focus for the local and wider community.

Authenticity: The original farmhouse buildings are in place however no other farm buildings or structures remain.

Physical Description

Atwell House Arts Centre is as ingle-storey brick and tile former house constructed in 1935 in the then popular Inter-War Bungalow style. The house derives some of its character details from the California Bungalow style. The plan form is asymmetrical with the south-west front section projecting forward from the remainder of the street elevation. The roof is pitched high with a half-timbered gable to the projecting front bay and to the eastern elevation, and with louvered gable vents at ridge level facing east and west to the main roof. The roof is otherwise hipped and clad in Marseilles pattern terra cotta tiles of darker blend at gutters. Rafter ends are expressed at the eaves throughout.

The Atwell Studio Gallery is a single-storey red brick building, similar in architectural style to Atwell House. The roof is hipped, with gables north and south, clad in Marseilles pattern terra cotta tiles. Verandas to the south, west and east have roofs continues with the main roof. The south veranda, facing the street at Canning HWY, has precast columns on limestone piers as for Atwell House, but at a greater spacing. The eastern veranda has been enclosed to provide accommodation for officers accessed from the Gallery and a gift shop accessed from the south-east veranda.

History

Atwell House

Ownership of Lena Blacker’s Alfred Cove property was transferred to Walter David Atwell on 15th June 1926.

Born in Fremantle in 1872, Walter David Atwell was the son of former convict turned prominent Fremantle landowner and businessman, Henry Atwell. Married to Edith Stewart in 1902, Walter Atwells own career focussed around his passion for horses. Post Office Directory records indicate that Atwell operated a livery stable in Fremantle, mainly from a property off South Terrace, throughout the 1900s. He was also reportedly one of the first huntsmen of the Fremantle Hunt Club and, by c. 1912, was Master of the Hounds of the West Australian Hunt Club.

Although Walter Atwell was registered as the proprietor of the 22 acres of Swan Location 74 in 1926, there is some question as to the exact date when the Atwell family actually began to live at Alfred Cove. This appears to be associated with reports of an earlier timber house on the property in which soon after, the existing timber house was said to have been destroyed by fire and Atwell House was erected as its replacement in c. 1935. This estimated date of construction is taken from Post Officer Directory records, which list Walter place as being approximately 15 years old.

Oral History Interviews with David (Walter Atwell’s second son), his wife Connie and their daughter Dianne in 1998 provide a detailed description of the house, its furnishings and the lifestyle of the family. From the interviews, it is clear that Atwell House was designed to show the prominence of its owners, being a substantial brick and tile residence for the time with an elaborate veranda, bay windows and leadlight window and door features.

Studio Gallery

On 29th May 1982, Mayor of Melville, J. F Howson Esq. OBE JP, officially opened the MCAA’s Atwell Studio Gallery building. This was constructed for the proposes of providing a gallery space for the permanent display of the artwork created by Association members. The building was specifically designed to match the scale, style and materials of the adjacent Atwell House.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Yes
Extent of Original Fabric: Most

Condition

Sound.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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.