Poplar

Statement of Significance

‘‘Poplar’’ is a fine example of a stone and iron cottage constructed using local materials in the Colonial period, with a symmetrical but picturesque form, set in an attractive rural setting. The place is associated with the prominent Buckingham family, particularly Thomas Buckingham (Jnr) who constructed the house and also established the water-powered mill formerly located on the property. As well as being a residence, the place was used for monthly church services by locals until another site was established in Kelmscott. The cairn is valued by the community as a memorial to the resources of Thomas Buckingham, who established the water- powered timber mill.

Physical Description

‘‘Poplar’’ Homestead comprises a single-storey stone and iron cottage, which is set back from the roads edge, on the side of a valley, with the Canning River behind it (to the north). The building has a distinct cottage form with a rectilinear plan, a steeply-pitched hipped roof and a skillion verandah encircling the building on all four sides. The cottage has random rubble stone walls with face-brick quoining to the openings and the corners. The windows are typically timber-framed sashes, while the main entry door, centrally located on the front elevation, is a timber-framed and panelled door with glazed sidelights. The cottage also has a rendered and painted masonry chimney that is fitted with a curved metal hood. The stone and brick walls appear to have been extended (almost seamlessly) beyond what was most likely the extent of the original cottage to partly enclose the verandahs on the east and west sides, while the rear verandah has been partly enclosed with oiled weatherboards (part of renovations carried out in 2002). A number of newer structures are located adjacent to ‘‘Poplar’’, with a timber-framed carport located to the southeast, and a substantial single-storey brick and iron residential building attached to the west. The remains of an orchard adjoins the cottage, located to the east, and features very early fruit trees, including a pear tree believed to be over 150 years old. The mill site cairn (dated 1929) is located to the southeast of ‘‘Poplar’’, near the intersection of Brookton Highway and Mount Street. The cairn stands approximately 1 metre high, and is constructed in laterite stone with random rubble coursing. A marble plaque is attached to the face of the cairn, commemorating Thomas Buckingham’’s water- powered mill that was once located in the vicinity.

History

‘‘Poplar’’ Homestead was built in 1868 as the residence of Thomas (Junior) and Hannah Buckingham on 20 acres of land acquired at £1 an acre. The house was also used for monthly church services before another site, closer to the main population at Kelmscott, was established. In 1886, a mill (no longer extant) was built on the river, with a water wheel for motive power. The site of the former mill has been marked by a cairn of local stone. Thomas Buckingham Senior (1808-1879) married Mary Chanter (1814-1875) in 1835, and arrived at Fremantle on the ‘‘Sophia’’ in 1850, along with other members of the Buckingham family and members of the Cockram family, who were related by marriage. Initially, they leased Leeder’’s Farm, before moving to Wanneroo in 1853, and, later, to Gingin. Thomas Buckingham Senior sold these holdings in 1858, and purchased land at Roleystone. Their children were Maria (1836-1919), Thomas Junior (1839-1913), Mary (1841-1913), Alexander (1843-1897), Betsy (1846-1915), Caroline (1849-1915), William (1853-1917), Ellen (1856-1878), John (1858-1947), and Hugh James (1860-1940). Members of the Buckingham family were prominent in the early history of the Roleystone, Armadale and Kelmscott districts, especially in the development of the timber industry. In 1871, Thomas Buckingham (Jnr) built a church in Kelmscott (later named St Mary-in-the-Valley), although it was not consecrated until 1874. The first school in the area was conducted in this building in 1882, and the dual use as school and church continued until 1888.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate-High Moderate-High

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update