Kingsbury Cottage

Statement of Significance

The place is an example of an Inter-War Workers Cottage which has aesthetic value for the contribution to the streetscape.
The place provides some historic record of the accommodation of people in the early 20th century who were mostly members of what were considered to be ‘working classes’.
The rear extension, back yard and out buildings to the rear of the lot are of little significance.

Physical Description

The residence as it presents today comprises a single storey worker’s cottage built circa 1928. The property is located entirely within lot 22 and addresses Stephen Street in Guildford. The property is currently a two-bedroom residence. There has been some adaptation internally and a patio structure to the rear of the building.
8 Stephen Street is a four room plan which has been modified internally to accommodate a toilet which gives the hall a dog-legged direction (which is typical of dozens of period homes through Perth). It is a brick masonry building constructed with a pitched roof, simple brick chimneys and timber-framed triple casement windows. The verandah roof and timber posts are either original or reconstructions of original. The verandah deck is now brick pavers. The lace work is not likely to be original based on the date of construction. The building has been rendered and painted a white/cream colour.
The rear ‘sleep out’ portion of the original building has a lean-to roof and may originally have accommodated the bathroom. The original and separate single toilet was stand-alone external to the rear verandah as shown in old records c1945.
Internally – Although the layout of the building has altered, the original simple detailing partly remains and comprises timber floorboards, plaster walls and timber skirtings, architraves and sills. The lath and plaster ceilings also remain in the hall and front bedrooms. One original fireplace is in situ.

History

The lots on Stephen Street which remain apparent today were formed as part of the subdivision associated with the gold boom population growth in Guildford. Between 1895 and 1902 the Town Plan shows an approximate increase of 500 new lots. Mrs Louisa Ann Kingsbury bought Lots 22 and 23 Stephen Street without a mortgage in 1927 as vacant lots. The cottage was named after her. A mortgaged loan was secured in 1928 to construct the buildings. Louisa’s husband Arthur Henry Kingsbury was a registered builder, plumber and painter in Guildford and it is therefore believed he built No. 8 Stephen Street. He was also a councillor in Guildford for short time.
The property at lot 22 was completed by 1929 and sold to Agnes Minchin who lived there until 1935 and owned the cottage until her death in 1971. The Minchin family went on to own the property for 46 years. In its relatively short history the building has had sixteen registered owners.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate

Condition

Good

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.