Runnymede & Florries Cottage Group, Binningup

Statement of Significance

HISTORICAL This group of buildings is significant as a farm site on a coastal swamp in the first stage of settlement on the coastal plain. Significant as the farm of a prominent farmer of the turn of the century who provided community leadership as Chairman of the local Roads Board. They are also associated with an innovative farmer who promoted farmer/specialist co-operation as opposed to specialist direction. (see Appendix). SCARCITY Not many examples of vernacular slab buildings survive in the south-west. They represent the first stage in the settlement pattern of a farm and were usually replaced later with a building of more refined character. The survival of this group is therefore unusual and reflects the craftsmanship of the builders.

Physical Description

A group of three small cottages, one of which (Florrie's Cottage) is located about 300m north of the first two (Runnymede). All three cottages are constructed with vertical slab walls and covered with corrugated iron roofs. RUNNYMEDE (Buildings marked A on plan) These two room cottages have been distinguished by 1st Cottage (western) and 2nd Cottage (eastern). Both have been constructed with beams which display adze marks, mortise and tenon joints held firm with wooden pegs and handmade nails. The floors are simply floor joists laid directly on the ground and covered with boards. The 1st Cottage is gabled on the eastern wall and hipped on the other sides. The original shingles are still visible under the corrugated iron, A stone chimney (random rubble) is located in the south east corner. The north wall is covered with wattle and daub on the outside, which is protected by a verandah. The interior walls of the eastern room are also covered with wattle and daub, this room has a flat metal ceiling. The cast iron stove is still in place in the fireplace. The western room is lined with hessian on both the walls and the ceiling. The 2nd Cottage is slightly larger and is constructed using two tiers of vertical slabs. The slabs have been nailed to the top plates and mud beams placed about one metre above the ground. Verandahs are still in place on the north and east sides of the building. There appears to have been a verandah on the west side. The roof is hipped. The double fireplace is constructed with limestone and covered with plaster. The ceiling is covered with plasterboard. FLORRIE'S CO'ITAGE (Building marked B on plan) This is a slightly more "sophisticated" building. The front slab section is divided into two rooms, while at the rear (down a step) is a wattle and daub extension comprising two rooms with a central corridor in the slab section, a stone chimney is located in the south wall, which is also constructed of stone. The interior in this section is lined with wattle and daub which is papered. The partition between the rooms is slab constructed covered with wattle and daub. The rear skillion roofed extension is constructed of wattle and daub, covered with weatherboards. The corridor walls are constructed of weatherboards. There appears to have been a further extension to the rear. The whole building is covered with an enormous buddleia, the rear section is the most heavily infested. The beams in this cottage are also adzed.

History

Assessment 1992 Construction: The area where these three buildings are located was originally Lot 41 Stanley Road of the Australind Settlement. David Condell was a ticket of leave man employed by Benjamin Piggott of nearby Springhall. In 1867 he married Margaret Tuthill and in 1869/70 he purchased No.41Stanley Road which he named Greenhill. He died on his farm on 6th April,1872 and his widow moved to Bunbury. In 1871 Piggott's nephew William Reading arrived at Springhill. In 1872 he married his cousin Elizabeth Piggott and purchased the farn1 at Stanley Road. It seems likely that David Cundell built the 1st cottage when he moved to No. 41(see Appendix) and that the 2nd Cottage was built by William Reading after he purchased the property. Family sources indicate that the more northerly cottage was built for Florence Milligan, a daughter of William's and is commonly referred to as Florrie's Cottage. The slightly more sophisticated construction points to a later building date than the Runnymede Cottages.

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Historic Themes

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