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W D Moore & Co Warehouse facts for kids
| WD Moore & Co Warehouse | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Alternative names | The Moores Building, The Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery |
| General information | |
| Address | 42-46 Henry Street |
| Town or city | Fremantle |
| Coordinates | 32°3′22.86″S 115°44′41.02″E / 32.0563500°S 115.7447278°E |
| Current tenants | Fremantle Arts Centre |
| Groundbreaking | 1844 |
| Construction started | c1862 |
| Completed | 1899 |
| Renovated | 1985-1986 |
| Owner | City of Fremantle |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 backstore |
| Floor area | 24,000 square feet (2,200 m2) |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 29 October 1993 |
| Reference no. | 890 |
The WD Moore & Co Warehouse is a group of buildings on Henry Street, Fremantle. It looks like one big building because of its fancy front, which was added in 1899. This front is made of stucco, a type of plaster used to decorate walls.
A store first opened here in the 1840s by Samuel Moore. Later, in 1862, William Dalgety Moore started a general business in the same spot.
History of the Moores Building
Early Days and Business
The complex includes a home, a warehouse, a factory, stables, offices, and a shop. These parts were built between 1862 and 1899. There's also a three-story back building that might be even older, possibly from 1844.
The business run by the Moore family was very busy. They did many things, like:
- Importing goods from other countries
- Processing and making products
- Selling things in their shop
- Sending goods by mail order
They sold a wide range of items. This included food, drinks like beer and wine, and ingredients such as flour, coffee, and spices. They also sold tools and equipment for mining.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the buildings faced dangers, including fires. Luckily, they survived these threats.
The Moore family tried to sell the property in 1952. They finally sold it in 1956 to the Stevenson family. The Stevensons used the buildings for their transport company.
A New Purpose
In 1985, the City of Fremantle bought the property. They worked to fix it up during 1985 and 1986. The national government, called the Commonwealth Government, helped with money for this project. This was part of getting ready for the America's Cup, a big international sailing race.
Since its restoration, the Moores Building has been used for public events. It also hosts art shows and exhibitions. It's now a place where people can enjoy culture and history.
Information from the City of Fremantle Interpretation Plaques and Panels Research Project was used as the basis of this article. This project was completed in May 2002 by historian Kristy Bizzaca, and is available by visiting the City of Fremantle's History Centre.