Mouchemore's Cottage and Net Shed, Albany

Statement of Significance

Mouchemore’s Cottage and Net Shed, Albany, comprising a single-storey residence in the Victorian Georgian style constructed in timber framing, with a variety of wall claddings and an iron roof, and a net shed in the Federation Bungalow style constructed with timber framing and clad in corrugated galvanized iron, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is rare as an extant timber residence constructed in the first three decades of European settlement in the State, and as a nineteenth century timber frame ‘wattle and daub’ or ‘lath and plaster’ cottage. The place is rare as an early residence associated with shore-based whaling and fishing families, a way of life that is now uncommon. Since the 1850s, the place has had an almost uninterrupted ownership by persons closely associated with the important maritime history of the Albany region, initially through whaling activities, then the water police, and from 1905 into the twenty-first century, the fishing industry under the Mouchemore family. The place is a fine example of timber-framed buildings constructed using a variety of materials and construction and cladding techniques, rendered in the Victorian Georgian and Federation Bungalow styles. The use of salvaged ships timbers in parts of the cottage’s construction and the interior ship’s doors are rare features for an extant nineteenth century building. The place is part of an historic precinct including the Residency Museum, Gaol, Police Barracks, the Amity reconstruction and a number of relocated buildings. By reason of its location, sequence of construction and continuity of use, the place has the potential to contribute to an understanding of the development of Albany and the region, nineteenth century shore whaling and the fishing industry on the south coast, especially by means of archaeological investigation of the site. Pavings, plantings, road surfaces, concrete floors to the verandahs, the unconnected gas cooker in the kitchen and the southern steps to the net shed are of little significance.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Located in the Amity Precinct which includes the old gaol, the Residency, the replica Amity Brig • High streetscape value • High hiipped corrugated metal roof with broken backed verandah • Carport included under main roof • Net shed - free standing, rectangular, corrugated iron building with a steeply pitched roof • Low doors that were originally brought in from old ships • Interior layout, fixtures, furnishings and contents have high authenticity. Some obvious modifications include: • Rear extension (done by the Mouchemore family) • Picket fence around verandah and concreted floors • New Colorbond roof c2010

History

The cottage was likely built by Marguerite Galle c1890-1905. Before land reclamation was carried out, it was located on the original shoreline. The Mouchemore family arrived in Albany in the 1880s and bought the cottage in 1905. The Mouchemore family ran a family fishing business. In 1919, the family built the Net Shed which was moved further to the south to accommodate the addition to the cottage at the south-west. During the late 1990s, Victor Mouchemore talked on a number of occasions with Valerie Milne of the [WA] Museum about the place, and about his wish to have the place conserved. In [October] 1998, Victor Mouchemore died. Although the place remained vacant much of the furniture and chattels owned by Victor remained in the cottage. In [March] 1999, the Public Trustees were registered as proprietors. In 2001, following negotiations with Victor’s son Bryce Mouchemore, the place was sold to the City of Albany who then leased it to the Museum for museum purposes. In 2002, the Museum commissioned a Conservation Plan. In 2005, the place was permanently entered in the State Register of Heritage Places.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High/Moderate Authenticity: High

Condition

Moderate

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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