Trott's Cottage

Statement of Significance

Trott’s Cottage is significant for its historic and aesthetic values as c.1890’s cottage and for its social value. Aesthetic Value Trott’s Cottage is of moderate to high aesthetic value, as a modest late nineteenth century cottage that was enlarged in several stages. The original cottage is of particular aesthetic value for its construction type and age. It is also a strong landmark on the entry toward Bridgetown, where it has stood for around 130 years. Historic Value Trott’s Cottage is of moderate to high historic value as a local example of a c.1890’s stone cottage, which was possibly also used as a travellers resting point. Also for its strong association with the highly respected AW Moulton, first permanent Policeman in Bridgetown. Research Value The original cottage is of research value as to the early construction techniques and materials. Social Value Trott’s Cottage is of moderate to high social value for its associated well on adjoining Lot 152 which made it a meeting point for travellers in its early days.

Physical Description

Trott’s Cottage includes the original (c.1890) stone cottage with iron roof. Standing alongside to the south is a c.1930 weatherboard house. Both the cottage and house have an extension to the rear. Trott’s Cottage is constructed of local stone (exposed portions show local granite and red mud mortar/coating), covered both internally and externally with a traditional plaster which appears to be of lime and horse hair. Some re-plastering appears to have been redone with a stronger concrete type bonding. The southern end appears to have an original or very early handmade brick wall, gable and chimney. An approved plan to enclose the front verandah of the original cottage, for the formation of the restaurant, never eventuated. However a commercial kitchen to the rear of the weatherboard portion of the home was constructed in c.1992 and adjoined an enclosed rear portion of the original cottage. A stone wall ‘lean to’ addition (of unknown date) to the north western wall of Trott’s Cottage, sympathetic in materials to the existing character, contains the toilets which were approved for the former restaurant. The weatherboard house dates from circa 1920’s to 1930’s (inter-war era). It originally consisted of two bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge and enclosed back verandah. A Bed & Breakfast wing of bedrooms and bathroom to the rear of the weatherboard house were added in c.1992 (owner builder) and the front lounge was enlarged out at some point. The patio addition to the rear of the restaurant (original cottage) was built in 1993 and the garage and workshop were added in 2009.

History

An early map of Bridgetown shows the owner of the site of Trott’s Cottage (lot 151 or 152????) as AW Moulton, Bridgetown’s first permanently appointed policeman. Moulton resigned from the police force in 1877, opening a general store on Lot 11 Hampton Street (south east corner of Stewart Street), where he also built a residence for his family. Moulton faced bankruptcy proceedings in the period c.1891-1894, and newspaper advertisements for land sales under his bankrupt estate do not refer to any buildings on the well fenced property he held near Bridgetown. Newspaper articles also suggest that all of his assets had been vigorously pursued by the trustees by the end of that period. It therefore seems possible that Trott’s Cottage may have been built by the next owner, in the latter part of the 1890s. AW Moulton Local oral history suggests that Trott’s Cottage was a stopping point for travellers, or at least mail coaches and police officers, due to having a good well. In association with this, a stone built room on the end of Trott’s Cottage is reputed to have been used for temporary accommodation for prisoners being transported from the Warren District to Bunbury. The material and construction of this portion, while similar, does vary somewhat from the rest of the Cottage, however it is difficult to date at this stage. As seen on the above map, Lot 152 did contain a private well, nearby the unnamed creekline. Its clear identification suggests that it was significant and popularly used. The current owners have, in recent years, had a visit from a traveller reporting that the property was occupied as her Uncle and Aunty’s dairy when she was a young girl, thought to have been around the 1940’s to 1960’s. In the 1980’s, a restaurant and tearooms was run from Trott’s Cottage. After being rented for some time in the 1990’s, the Cottage and House are now a private owner/occupier home. Note: previous research suggests that the house took its name from the nearby Trotts Hill and that members of the Trott family (who were farming nearby in the 1890s) did not live here.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium The original stone cottage was originally a two room house and is now one open room. It was used as the dining room of the restaurant in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. It has since been used as a recreational living space. High Despite a stone addition to the end (north-western) wall of the original cottage, the replacement of doors (somewhat in character) and adjoining rear additions, the cottage remains largely authentic both internally and externally. Many original materials remain exposed and unaltered by renovation.

Condition

Original Cottage - poor to fair; Inter-War era Weatherboard House - good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update