Woodchester
The home “Woodchester” is of historical, social and architectural significance to Katanning. It was built by the Richardson family who were one of the most significant families in Katanning, running a very successful business operation in the town. Robert Lawson Richardson was a respected member of the community having a strong involvement not only in his business but also in the Baptist Church.
Woodchester today
The house is unique in design and location and its internal timber detailing is original and inspired. The current owners (2021), Eric and Rosemary McFarland have the original plan of the house and also the original septic tank plan.
The home is a single storey, beautifully detailed South African style rendered brick house with a corner porch covered by a flat roof carried on Tuscan columns. The roof is terracotta tiled, and gables are treated in the Dutch manner with banks of three leadlight casements in them and suspended sun-hoods. All internal rooms have timber detailing – a feature of the house.
Some alterations have been made to modernise the kitchen and bathroom and two new bathrooms were added in April 1997. It has a fine garden of lawns with palms, prunus, cypress and other exotics and is often used for wedding photographs.
Robert Richardson, who took over the management of the F & C Piesse store in 1904, had Woodchester built for his family in 1927. Prior to this, Richardson lived in “The Pines”, which now forms part of the Bethshan Lodge for the frail aged. Richardson came to Katanning from Valveen, South Australia and “Woodchester” was a locality near their old family farm.
Messrs Richardson & Co. increased the store’s turnover by establishing a barter system with the local farmers. Richardson was known for his benevolent nature with families unable to pay for their goods. His success enabled him to eventually expand his business into other districts in the lower Great Southern.
The location of the home was significant in that, at the time, it had a view directly across town to the Richardson store. The Richardson family owned the house until 1974 when Mr McFarland, a local furniture dealer and prominent member of the community, purchased it. The residence now incorporates bed and breakfast facilities.
Information sources from the inHerit website
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Woodchester. Woodchester. Woodchester.