Strawberry Hill Community Open Day: Colonial farm steeped in culture set to swing open the gate in Albany

The State’s first European farm Strawberry Hill at Barmup will open its grounds to the community this weekend. Once home to Sir Richard Spencer and his family, the historic two-storey stone farmhouse was built in 1836, making it the oldest farm from Western Australia’s early period of colonial settlement. The open day will offer fun for the whole family with a history tour of the site, live music and a coffee truck while children can entertain themselves with art and craft activities. Before the arrival of Europeans, Barmup, meaning “place of tall trees”, was an important campsite for the Menang Noongar people, providing shelter and fresh water. The National Trust took charge of the farm in 1964, which was then in a state of disrepair, and Strawberry Hill at Barmup has since become an important place in Albany, connecting conservation with history. The free-to-attend community open day will be held at Barmup from 11.30am-2.30pm on November 19. Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic.