Heritage-listed homestead restored
A three-year project to preserve Dempster Homestead, the oldest building in Esperance, is set to finish by the end of this month.
Local builder John Crawley has been working on the 139-year-old building with his crew to replace the roof and repair ceilings and supporting structures.
Dempster Homestead was acquired by David and Marie Louise Wordsworth in 1966 and Mr Crawley said they saved it from certain ruin.
The Wordsworths substantially restored and lived in the property until 2006 before moving to Perth and still use it for occasional functions when they return to Esperance.
It has been placed on the register of heritage places by the Heritage Council of WA and received $100,000 from the 2010-11 Heritage Grants Program for repairs to be carried out.
