Residency Building

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Residency Building

From colonial residence to a place of shared stories

Completed in 1850, this building was first used as a store and office for the nearby convict-hiring depot. When the depot closed in 1872, additional rooms were added and the building took on a new role in Albany’s community life.

From 1873 to 1953, it became the home and workplace of the town’s government administrator — first known as the Government Resident and later the Resident Magistrate. During this time, the Residency was also a social centre for the town. Balls, weddings, tennis gatherings and afternoon teas were held here, making it an important place for community events.

Between 1953 and 1970, the building was used for a variety of purposes. After renovations, it reopened in 1975 as The Albany Residency Museum — the first branch of the Western Australian Museum outside the Perth metropolitan area.

Today the building is part of the Museum of the Great Southern. Following further upgrades in 2010, it now houses galleries that share stories from Minang Noongar Boodja (Country) — a place rich in culture and history. These galleries explore Aboriginal and Wadjella (non-Aboriginal) histories, as well as the remarkable biodiversity of the Great Southern region.

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