Local Government
Bridgetown-Greenbushes
Region
South West
Hampton St Bridgetown
Curtilage includes: Lots 853 & 12 South Western Hwy, and 1, 3, 5 & 7 Hampton St, Bridgetown. Part of NT Blackwood River Crossing & First Settlers Precinct
The Blechynden House
Bridgetown-Greenbushes
South West
Constructed from 1862
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Heritage List | Adopted | 28 Nov 2019 | ||
Heritage List | Adopted | 18 Mar 1983 | ||
State Register | Registered | 21 Jan 1997 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
---|---|---|---|
(no listings) |
Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category | Description | ||||
Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 14 Jul 1997 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Register of the National Estate | Indicative Place |
|
Heritage Council | ||
Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 29 Mar 2018 | Management Category A |
Management Category A |
|
Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 28 Jun 2001 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
Bridgedale is of high historic, aesthetic, social and research value. The place is held in high esteem by the general public as an historic place.
Aesthetic Value
Bridgedale is a landmark on the Blackwood River foreshore and, through its visual connection to the river and associated Blue Atlas Cedar tree, contributes to the aesthetic qualities of the landscape which, when viewed from across the river, defines the southern entrance to the town
Historic Value
Bridgedale is historically significant as the first farm and home in Bridgetown, which remained as the family home of original settlers John and Elizabeth Blechynden and their family until 1950.
Research Value
Bridgedale has a close association with the Blechynden family, farming pioneers who were influential in the settlement and development of the Bridgetown district. As such, the place demonstrates aspects of progressive phases of development which have occurred within the township of Bridgetown from the 1860’s to the present.
Social Value
Bridgedale was of very high social value. As John Blechynden’s father was a minister of the church, he himself ran services from his home until a Church was built. Bridgedale was also where school instruction was taught until the first public school opened in Steere Street in February 1870.
Bridgedale is a single storey house constructed of red brick with a corrugated galvanised iron roof and three red brick chimneys. The verandah surrounds the house all sides.
The roofs of Bridgedale house and the Single Men’s Hut were originally shingles, replaced with corrugated iron ~1900. In 1975 these were again replaced with Canadian Redwood shingles. The deteriorating shingle roof of the house was replaced by corrugated iron again in 2008 and the Single Men’s Hut in 2014.
John and Elizabeth Blechynden were the first settlers in Bridgetown, around the same time that the Hester family settled not far away in Hester Brook. The Blechyndens’ first home on this site was built c.1860 and the second (current) home built c.1868. The Single Men’s Hut was built between 1868 and 1888. ‘Bridgedale’ is the earliest remaining residence in the Bridgetown district, where John and Elizabeth raised their thirteen children, two of whom died very young.
“When the Bridgetown townsite was proclaimed in 1868, Bridgedale was incorporated into the town survey. As the town developed and expanded Bridgedale became a town residence rather than a homestead. Its farming origins, however, remain apparent.” (National Trust)
High
Although Bridgedale is no longer a private home, but rather a National Trust property, it has never been converted for any other use, including modern day living. Bridgedale has a high degree of integrity. Although currently closed to the public, numerous artefacts and furniture have remained in the home for interpretation.
High
There have been a number of internal and external changes to Bridgedale, since its construction. Much of the original fabric however remains and the building is largely in original form. Restoration in recent years has sought to conserve the cultural heritage significance of the place.
Good
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
---|---|---|---|
Western Australia' (for the National Trust of Australia (W.A.) | 01/0993 | ||
Register of Heritage Places | Heritage Council of Western Australia | 2011 | |
Richards, O. and Pidgeon, J. | Conservation Plan for Bridgedale, Bridgetown |
Ref Number | Description |
---|---|
A8894 | Assess No (Shire Ref) |
No.B13 | MI Place No. |
Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
---|---|---|---|
3272 | Conservation Plan for Bridgedale, Bridgetown Western Australia | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1993 |
Individual Building or Group
Epoch | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Present Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
Original Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
Style |
---|
Victorian Georgian |
Type | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Roof | TIMBER | Shingle |
Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
General | Specific |
---|---|
OCCUPATIONS | Grazing, pastoralism & dairying |
PEOPLE | Early settlers |
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
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.