Patrick Taylor's Cottage
Visit the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia and experience how our early settlers lived.
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VISIT US
Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum
37 Duke Street,
Albany, Western Australia 6330
OPENING HOURS
Open Daily: 11am - 3pm
Public holiday opening hours
Closed: Good Friday & Christmas Day
CONTACT US
ACCESSIBLITY
Please note that due to the historic nature and age of our venues, certain areas may present challenges for visitors with limited mobility or those using wheelchairs.
ADMISSION ENTRY FEES
AHS Members
Free
AHS Membership Card holders
Adults
$6.00
16 years and over
Concession
$4.00
Pensioner Concession Card and Veteran Card holders
Children
$4.00
5 years and over. Children under 5 - Free
Family
$15.00
2 adults, 3 children
MEMBERSHIP
Join the Albany Historical Society and enjoy unlimited general admission to our museums for 12 months, along with exclusive member-only offers and events.
Explore the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia and discover the rich history and heritage of early settlers.
Patrick Taylor Cottage is the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia, offering a remarkable window into colonial life in the 1830s. Built in 1832 by John Morley when Albany was still a military outpost, the cottage originally stood on a vast 240 acre (97 ha) block of land.
In July 1834, the cottage was purchased by Patrick Taylor, an early settler and it has since become a treasured piece of Albany’s heritage. The eleven room structure made using the traditional wattle and daub method includes an entry room, boxroom, parlour, nursery, bedroom, dining and family rooms, sewing room, kitchen, laundry and a side verandah. The building’s wattle and daub construction is a rare and authentic example of early settler craftsmanship.
Beyond its architecture, Patrick Taylor Cottage also serves as a museum housing over 2,000 historical items, showcasing life in early Albany. Among the artefacts is an impressive collection of English porcelain, silverware, and household goods, with some items dating back to the 1600s. The collection offers insight not only into Albany’s colonial history, but also the cultural connections between early settlers and their homeland.
A young orphaned boy became a well educated, religious man and a leading figure in the town's affair.
In 1833, Patrick set sail on board the James Pattison with Sir James Stirling, Lady Stirling, W. B. Sherratt, Peter Belches, Captain Cheyne, Mrs Bussell senior and her eldest daughter Mary. The James Pattison reached Albany on 12th May, 1834. Patrick purchased the Cottage in July 1834 for £300 ($600) by public auction.
Patrick's early years in the colony were hectic, he was a fanatically religious man and he soon became a leading figure in the town's affairs.