Woodloes Homestead - Canning Districts Historical Society

30/09/2026

🏡 “Highly significant… preservation strongly recommended.”

More than 50 years ago, when the emerging Canning Districts Historical Society started agitating for the homestead to be saved, the National Trust had already recognised that Woodloes was more than simply an old house.

Built in 1871, it is the oldest surviving house in Canning that remains close to its original state, and was unusually architect-designed for its time by Francis Bird, who later became WA’s Chief Government Architect.

Woodloes was, quite literally, a surviving piece of Canning’s early history - and one worth fighting to preserve.

Today, Woodloes is on the State Register of Heritage Places, and this old document is a lovely reminder of why its preservation mattered.

29/09/2026

THE CHURCH WITH A CHIMNEY – A CANNINGTON CURIOSITY

Have you ever wondered why the little church at Woodloes Homestead has a chimney?

The story takes us back to 1890, when the original Cannington Congregational Church was built on Albany Road (now Albany Highway).

Local pioneer Edwin Cockram is believed to have been responsible for adding the fireplace, providing a place for families who had travelled considerable distances to attend services to boil their billy and warm their meals.

And so, the rather unusual name “Church with a Chimney” was born!

But the church wasn’t just a place of worship. It also served as an early school for local children, before the government established Cannington’s state school in 1898.

When Albany Highway was widened in the 1990s, the original church had to be demolished. Fortunately, its story didn’t end there. The building was reconstructed in the grounds of Woodloes Homestead, incorporating some materials from the original.

Today, this charming little church continues to serve the community as a beautiful setting for weddings and special ceremonies.

Next time you visit Woodloes, take a moment to admire the chimney. It’s a reminder of a time when attending church could mean a long journey, a shared meal and a welcome cup of tea!

📍 Woodloes Homestead, 39 Woodloes Street, Cannington

🕑 Open the first and third Sunday of each month, 2–5pm.

City of Canning

28/09/2026

28/09/2026

🏡 A Bird Family Treasure Rediscovered!

While sorting through stored items at Woodloes Homestead, we recently rediscovered this beautiful old photograph of the Old Farm at Strawberry Hill in Albany.

But what does it have to do with Woodloes?

In 1889, Francis Bird, who built Woodloes Homestead, and his family acquired the historic Strawberry Hill Farm, rescuing the deteriorating property.

The photograph was donated to the Canning Districts Historical Society by Miss Beryl Marjorie Bird, granddaughter of F. Maude Bird.
Even more special is the handwritten inscription on the back, recording the family's connection to the property.

📸 The exact date of the photograph is unknown, but it offers a wonderful glimpse into another chapter of the Bird family's history.

A little reminder that the stories preserved at Woodloes extend far beyond Cannington!

27/09/2026

✨Fancy a little time travel next Sunday?💥

Step away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and join us at beautiful Woodloes Homestead for an afternoon of local history, heritage and a glimpse into life in days gone by.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, curious about Canning’s past, or simply fancy a wander around one of the area’s historic treasures, we’d love to see you!

📅 Sunday 4 October 2026
🕑 2pm – 5pm
📍 Woodloes Homestead, 39 Woodloes Street, Cannington

Our friendly volunteers will be on hand to welcome you and share some of the stories behind this wonderful old homestead.

No time machine required. Just come on in! 🗝️

Woodloes Homestead - Canning Districts Historical Society
City of Canning

21/09/2026

Mrs Patmore would be appalled. Carson would have words. And we’re fairly certain Lady Mary has never had to carry one of these. 😂

But at Woodloes Homestead, this rather magnificent Housemaid’s Box is just one of the everyday objects that gives us a glimpse into what domestic life was really like in years gone by - when keeping a house running involved rather more elbow grease than asking Alexa to turn the lights on.

If you fancy stepping back in time (no corset or dinner gong required), Woodloes Homestead is open on the first and third Sunday of every month, from 2–5pm.

🏡 Our next opening is Sunday 4 October, 2–5pm.
📍 Woodloes Homestead, 39 Woodloes Street, Cannington

Come in, have a wander and discover some of the curious, beautiful and occasionally baffling things tucked away inside one of Canning’s oldest homes.

Downton Abbey it isn’t - but we think Woodloes has rather a lot of character of its own. 😊

17/09/2026

👋 Hello to all our new followers!

We’ve noticed quite a few new faces joining us here since the Woodloes Heritage Fayre on Sunday — welcome! We’re so pleased you found us. ❤️

If the Fayre was your first introduction to the Canning Districts Historical Society, we’re the volunteer-run group that helps care for and share the stories of Woodloes Homestead and the history of the wider Canning Districts.

Here on our page, we share old photographs, local stories, interesting finds from the collection, snippets of research, upcoming activities and plenty of glimpses inside Woodloes.

And you don’t have to wait until the next big event to visit us! Woodloes Homestead is usually open on the first and third Sunday of each month, from 2–5pm, with our volunteers on hand to show you around and have a chat.

Thank you to everyone who came along to the Heritage Fayre, and a very warm welcome to those who decided to stick around afterwards. We hope you enjoy discovering a little more of Canning’s history with us. 🏡🌿

The Canning Districts Historical Society