A Pioneer Pathway has been created at WA’s oldest dwelling to honour the individuals who played a crucial role in shaping Albany/Kinjarling over the past 200 years.

The pathway at Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum has had 19 plaques installed.

Another four plaques are expected to be added in the coming weeks, bringing the total to 23.

The plaques highlight the stories and contributions of key figures and groups connected to Albany’s history, from the Menang people and early settlers such as George Cheyne and Lieutenant George Sleeman to the movers and shakers of the modern era such as Anne Camfield, Paul Terry, Alison Goode and Paul Lionetti.

Other plaques explore the significant aspects of Albany’s history, including the Goldfields and railway, convicts, ships and historic buildings, as well as the transition from military presence to free settlement.

The project was created by the Albany Historical Society with support from Rio Tinto to commemorate the city’s history as the first European settlement in WA, established on the traditional lands of the Menang people.

Albany Historical Society chief executive Andrew Eyden said the Pioneer Pathway provided locals and visitors with a broader picture of the people and events that have influenced Albany.

“There was nowhere people could go in Albany to get a holistic picture if the history from settlement all the way through,” he said.

“The bicentenary seemed like a good opportunity . . . we get tourists who are interested in history coming to Patrick Taylor as it’s the oldest house in the State, so it seemed like a good fit.”

Mr Eyden said selecting individuals to feature on the plaques was challenging given the number of people who had made significant contributions to Albany.

“We have tried to cover the most important eras and people of those eras, including having a couple of plaques to actually talk about Albany in different stages of its history as well,” he said.

The pathway has already attracted strong interest from both locals and visitors, with many stopping to read the plaques over the weekend.

“We were quite surprised over the weekend how many locals have been . . . there was lots of locals coming in and spending time reading,” Mr Eyden said.

“Most people have been stopping and reading all of them.”