Paisley Cottage

Statement of Significance

• The place has historic value as evidence of the settlement of the district in the late 19th century which demonstrates confidence in the future of the region at that time.
• The place has historic value for its association with the Muir family who were prominent members of the Busselton community.
• The place is valued by the community as a prominent landmark that contributes to the community sense of place since the mid 19th century

Physical Description

Paisley Cottage is a simple symmetrical Victorian Georgian style limestone cottage with brick quoins, double hung sash windows and a shingle clad hipped roof, in a richly planted cottage garden. There is a full width front verandah supported on square timber posts, with a corrugated zincalume roof. A major addition adjoins the rear of the original cottage which is clad with corrugated zincalume roof.

History

Scottish born John McCall Muir (1865-1952) arrived in the colony before 1900, and wrote to his brother David Muir (1870-1937), who was living in Paisley, encouraging him to bring his family to Busselton where he was living. David followed his brothers advice and cancelled plans to go to Canada, arriving in Fremantle in 1913 with his wife Lucy
Munn (1882-1965) and their three eldest children. The couple would have two more children after settling in Western Australia. David Muir had worked as a Horticultural Manager at Coates Estate in Paisley and was an experienced farmer. John Muir was a stonemason and it is understood he built the home which became known as Paisley House because of the connection to the Muir brothers origins in Scotland. John Muir is also reputed to undertaken works on St Mary's Church in Busselton as well as many other local projects. David and Lucy Muir lived both in Paisley Cottage in Busselton and Lucydale, their farm just out of town, at different times. The youngest daughter of David and Lucy Muir, also known as Lucy was born in 1919, married Norman Gale Rose in
1940. Norm and Lucy raised four children whilst living at the cottage and also accommodated Lucy Muir lived at Paisley cottage until her death in 1965.
The house was bought and restored by Elizabeth Nelson in the 1990s, with a focus on retaining the original fabric. Nelson re‐roofed the house with shingles during this period, planted the gardens and installed the post and rail fence. She subdivided the block off the back in Joliffe Street from the title and sold Paisley Cottage c1998. Aerial photographs indicate that major additions were undertaken in 2021 which involved the removal of all the rear additions and construction of a new large addition. The form and extent of the original cottage can still be determined.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/High

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.