House

Child Places

• 15936 Old Stables & Well

Statement of Significance

This two storey brick, timber and tile mansion, inFederation
Queen Anne style, sited on a large and prominent comer site, is of cultural
significancebecause:
- it is of exceptionalhistorical significancebecause of its long term
associations with theRischbeiths;
- it is of considerableaesthetic significance as a major work of the
prominent architect Charles Oldham;
it is one of the definingexamples of the Federation QueenAnne style
in Western Australia;
- it represents a major early phase in the developmentof the suburb.

Physical Description

The original mansionhad a sweeping drive, a 98~ftwell, a fern-house,tennis
court, stables, other outhouses and housed an outstanding collection of
seventeenth and eighteenth century English furniture. "Unalla" was one of
the major residences designed by the prominent architect Charles Oldham.
Oldham and Hobbs established the character of the major residences of the
suburb and of the Perth region. Considerable aesthetic significance.

History

The place was built by the Rischbeith family who were to become one of
Peppermint Grove's enduring families. 5 View Street is one of a group of
mansions built at the influx of wealthy settlers to Peppermint Grove. It is
now the largest remainingmansion in Peppermint Grove. Henry Rischbeith
was the founder of Henry Wills & Co, one of WA's major companies
during the Gold Boom period. Bessie Rischbeith was one of Perth's leading
activists and public speakers in theWestern Australian women's movement
and the Women's Service Guild. She is included among those who
persuaded Premier John Forrest to withdraw his opposition to the female
franchise in 1899. During the 1930s she was an Australian delegate to the
Assembly of the League of Nations. Exceptional historical significance.

Integrity/Authenticity

"Unalla" and the other major residences constructed in PeppermintGrove at
the time, effectively establishedthe Western Australian characteristics of the
Federation Queen Anne and Federation Bungalow styles. Considerable
technical significance.
1950 converted into 2 maisonettes, c.1970 house returned to single residence

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.