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The Old Farm, Strawberry Hill was considered old
more than 100 years ago. As far back as 1890 it
was given the name The Old Farm, in recognition
of being the oldest farm in Western Australia,
established even before the Swan River Colony.
A Government Farm was established at
Strawberry Hill in 1827 as part of the first
European settlement at King George Sound.
In 1833, Sir Richard Spencer was appointed
Government Resident at Albany. He purchased
the Government Farm and resided there with his
wife Ann, seven sons and three daughters. They
lived in a pise cottage until, in 1836, the current
two-storey stone house was built adjoining the
older home.
By 1836 the well established gardens were
producing blood oranges, grapes, raspberries,
gooseberries, asparagus, figs and almonds.
The new house was the centre of the
districtís social life.
After an ongoing cycle of neglect, restoration,
and neglect, the property was purchased by the
Government in 1956 as an historic monument.
Transferred to the National Trust in 1964,
the house and garden have been restored to
appropriately reflect their significance.