FREMANTLE PRISON
Digital Heritage Management Plan
The Knowle
Significance
The 1850s mansion residence, known as The Knowle, is a key historical convict-built component of the Fremantle Convict Establishment. It was designed and occupied by the Comptroller-General, Edmund Henderson, as his residence; and sited some distance to the south-west of the Prison. Its later history as a convict invalid depot is also of note. Architecturally, although largely surrounded by modern hospital development and impacted by later accretions to the exterior, The Knowle is still readable as an historic mansion house in terms of its scale and presence. Aesthetically, The Knowle also demonstrates the favoured building material of the Prison in its use of limestone for construction and this, in turn, helps to maintain an aesthetic (if not a visual) connection with the Prison.
The Knowle is of exceptional significance (for Fremantle Prison associations and convict-era construction).
Principles
PRINCIPLE 188: The Knowle should be retained and conserved while encouraging sympathetic, ongoing hospital adaptation and use.
PRINCIPLE 189: If The Knowle is disposed of by government, and no longer required for hospital use, it should be subject to the Government Heritage Property Disposal Process.
PRINCIPLE 190: Where feasible given its hospital use, and where evidence is available to support such works, future management and conservation of the building should seek to reinstate or reconstruct missing elements and details.
PRINCIPLE 191: Any works to, or repairs of, the limestone fabric should be consistent with the conservation policies and guidance provided in this HMP.
PRINCIPLE 192: Links with Fremantle Prison, whether visual or otherwise, should be reinforced. This can be done in parallel with interpretation of the cottages, which is essential to conveying their history and historical association with the Prison.
PRINCIPLE 193: Preferably remove later accretions and additions to the building.
Structures & Spaces Actions
ACTION 90: Introduce interpretation which can be clearly seen and read when viewing The Knowle. The interpretation should also alert readers to the presence of the Prison and encourage further investigation of the Prison’s history and connection with The Knowle.