Dalkeith (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Dalkeith, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
The place is one of a group of significant residences built during the Late Victorian/Federation period in the historic town centre, many of which were used as boarding and guest houses or flats given their proximity to the town centre, railway station and harbour and owing to Albany’s growing popularity as a summer holiday resort.
The place reflects the typical dwelling of a rising middle class that emerged from the commercial and service industries that developed around the port of Albany in the latter part of the 19th century particularly when Albany was the main port for Western Australia.
The place is associated with Alexander Moir, the original owner and an early settler to Albany and well-known business and local government identity and whose other developments are significant to the Stirling Terrace heritage precinct and the Albany Club in Aberdeen Street.
Boarding/guest houses and flats such as this were predominantly established and run by women making them an important and respectable avenue of work for local women at a time when other employment opportunities, especially for married women and even widows living in urban areas, were rare.
It is one of a group of houses/buildings in the historically important Vancouver Street that have heritage value both individually and as part of a streetscape.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Set on high ground at the end of Cuthbert St behind a high brick rendered wall
• Building elevated above road level
• Asymmetrical façade – prominent wing with large bay window with three windows
• Corrugated iron roof – pyramidal roof on prominent wing
• Verandah under separate roof
• Main part of building disproportionately long – as a result of additions
• Timber verandah across front elevation
• Decorative timber trim and balustrading

Some obvious modifications include:
• Unsympathetic front wall compromises character of building

History

In September 1882, Alexander Moir applied for Lot 183 in Fee Simple. The house was built soon after and can be seen in a panorama photograph of Albany dated 1889 along with the house next door at 28 Vancouver Street. Moir was born in 1826 in Markinch, Fifeshire, Scotland. He came to Albany in 1852 with his three brothers - Andrew, George and John – initially to work for Mr Cheyne. As well as successful farming pursuits, John and Alexander in particular became well-known merchants with businesses along Stirling Terrace. His daughter Jessie married C J S Baesjou and they lived in the house next door at 28 Vancouver Street.
The house was originally called Dalkeith but the name was changed when the house was converted into flats in the early 1900s and was known as Brackley Flats or just Brackley.
Harry and Mrs E Greenwood ran Brackley from at least 1910-1918. Harry, a tailor came to Albany in 1902 to take over Mr Munro’s tailoring business in York Street. Mrs Greenwoon ran Brackley offering both large and small furnished rooms, with advertisements for household servants often appearing in the local paper during this period. The Greenwood’s eldest son S E Greenwood was tragically killed in action in France in WWI in August 1917. In August 1918 Mrs Greenwood of Brackley in Vancouver Street was advertising the auction of all furniture and effects. The place had 6 bedrooms at this time.
Many of the tenants of Brackley operated their small businesses and classes from their rooms such as handicrafts and dressmaking.
In the 1930s, the proprietress was Mrs B Selby.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High/Moderate
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.