Gilbert's Cottage

Statement of Significance

Gilbert’s Cottage has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
The place is associated with the Moir family, who became well-known as prominent and successful business and civic residents of Albany.
The place is one of a group of significant residences built during the Late Victorian/Federation period in the historic town centre that developed particularly when Albany was the main port for Western Australia.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Set close to the road – high streetscape value
• Stone footings
• Double hipped corrugated iron roof
• Symmetrical façade with central door, and a window on either side
• Solid brick walls and corrugated iron roof

Some obvious modifications include:
• Removal of front verandah – addition of flat roof porch later replaced with suspended fabric awning
• Removal of chimneys

History

This small, single storey colonial cottage is said to have been built c1870s for the Moir family. Alexander Moir was born in 1826 in Markinch, Fifeshire, Scotland (hence the Scottish names used for his buildings). He came to Albany in 1852 and by 1861 he had started trading from his first house in Stirling Tce (now the site of the George Hotel) until he constructed Edinburgh House and Glasgow House. In 1854, Moir married Catherine, the Rev. John Wollaston’s housekeeper (Wollaston House in Duke Street) and they had 13 children. In c1865 they built their family home ‘Aberdeen House’ in Stirling Terrace which later became the Royal George Hotel.

In 1886/87 Moir had built a new family residence around the corner on Aberdeen Street, which he later donated to the Albany Club. As well as his merchant business, Moir was Chairman of Plantagenet Road Board. Moir died in 1893, and his son John Moir continued on running the Moir business, as well as serving as Mayor of Albany.
When the cottage was built, this street was called Stirling Street. In 1934 the street name changed to Council Street and then in February 1946 it was renamed Collie Street after Alexander Collie first Government Resident of Albany. It has had a number of different uses, including a dental surgery and currently it is the office of an Accountant.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate/Low
Authenticity: Good

Condition

Fair

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.