Watch Towers and Elevated Walkways

Significance

Although the current Watch Towers and Walkways are later elements they are part of a historical continuum of having elevated viewing posts and guard positions at the Prison. Being visibly sited above the walls, the Towers are prominent and seen from some distances, and accordingly are landmarks in the local context. From the outside they also mark the site as a place of containment and surveillance. The Towers are recognisably associated with prisoner observation and control, including observation of suspicious activity immediately outside the perimeter walls, as well as inside. For the prisoners they were the ever-present symbols of being watched and monitored.

The Watch Towers additionally offer a different perspective on the Prison. They accommodated the guards and warders whose job was to keep watch and observe. These Prison staff spent considerable time in the towers and furnished or decorated the structures according to need and amenity, as with any workplace. Warder graffiti is also present in the towers. These items provide insight into the tedium of watching prisoners and the work day experience of the guards.

The Watch Towers and elevated Walkways are of some significance.

Principles

PRINCIPLE 213: While the preference is to retain all the Watchtowers, retaining and conserving a representative sample or range of the existing Watch Towers and Walkways would suffice. In determining which Watch Tower/s to retain, consider the following:

the date of the Tower/s, with preferably an older through to a more recent example retained
the intactness of the Tower/s and its capacity to demonstrate its original function
the prominence and visibility of the Tower
the views (observation area) associated with, and available from, the Tower both internally and externally to the Prison

PRINCIPLE 214: Representative examples of the furniture, fittings, signs and graffiti that help explain the use of the Watch Towers and the day to day experience of the warders on watch duty should be retained and conserved. The furniture, fittings, signs and graffiti of the Watch Towers should be left intact and retained in situ in at least one Tower. In the other Towers, these items should be recorded, catalogued and stored, pending possible future reinstatement or exhibition (observing the ‘Movable Heritage Overarching Policy).

PRINCIPLE 215: Maintain the prominence and visibility of the Watch Towers in the local context. Retain the distinctive and clearly discernible profiles of the Watch Towers, as seen atop the perimeter and other walls.

PRINCIPLE 216: No new structures, other than very minor or temporary elements, should be built against or adjoining the Watch Towers, which would impact on or diminish their current visibility.

PRINCIPLE 217: Lighting, to illuminate the Watch Towers at night, is encouraged; and also serves an aesthetic purpose through highlighting the form and materiality of the towers.

PRINCIPLE 218: Interpretation of the Watch Towers and Walkways is essential to conveying the experience of the Prison guards and warders, and the role and function of the Towers.

Structures & Spaces Actions

ACTION 103: Where feasible, and not currently in place, introduce new lighting systems to highlight the Watch Towers. The systems should be discrete and preferably set off from the subject walls, or located at ground level to uplight the Towers, and should not involve penetrations to the significant fabric.

ACTION 104: Finalise the draft individual Conservation Management Strategy for the Watch Towers and Walkways, as prepared by Fremantle Prison.

ACTION 105: Continue to use and enhance historical interpretation of the Watch Towers and Walkways.

ACTION 106: Continue to allow supervised and guided (but selective) public access by small groups of visitors to the towers and Walkways.

ACTION 107: Consider the removal of the walkway located above the Wray Gates, because it impacts the location’s aesthetic values and views into the Parade Ground.