The History
Built in 1864 by convicts on six acres, the Freemantle Arts Centre first opened its doors in 1864, as the Convict Establishment Fremantle Lunatic Asylum and Invalid Depot.
Housed by inmates which were under the punitive control of prison rules and regulations, and over time, the asylum became the depository for any social problem, such as alcoholism, prostitution and the elderly. Later, during the 1890’s miners and Chinese labourers were admitted suffering the effects of sunstroke and Opium smoking. The conditions in the asylum were atrocious with 17-20 inmates occupying one room.
In 1909, Fremantle’s asylum was declared a Poor House – to be known as the Women’s Home. Until 1941, the buildings remained home to poor and elderly women. Problems with young girls escaping, men quarrying holes in the limestone and one of the women continually riding her three-wheeler bike into town are just some of the colourful stories of this era in the building’s history. Darker stories tell of several adolescents, suffering from venereal disease, who were kept under lock and key on the upper floor in 1930s.
Protests in 1941 by several women’s groups concerning the condition of the home finally resulted in its closure. In March 1942 a group of 12 American naval servicemen fleeing the Japanese invasion of the Philippines arrived in Fremantle and were given billets in the old Women’s Home. Within the old asylum site, 22 additional buildings were erected during the course of the war and a total of 21 officers, 139 enlisted men and 102 civilians were employed in the activities of the depot.
In 1958, the old Fremantle Lunatic Asylum was finally threatened with demolition and was saved largely through the efforts of Sir Frederick Samson, then Mayor of Fremantle. His vision for the site was to establish both a Mariners’ Museum and an Arts Centre. The building was restored, and the museum stage was finally completed in 1970.
Fremantle Arts Centre opened in 1973, with Ian Templeman as Founding Director. Templeman relied on minimal resources and skeleton staff for support and, over his 17 years at the helm, developed Fremantle Arts Centre’s first programs and services, including Fremantle Arts Centre Press. In 1978, Fremantle Arts Centre received its first annual operating funding from the State Government. That funding continues today.
The Hauntings
The Arts Centre has a reputation for being one of the most haunted buildings in Australia. Many stories exist, ranging from the experience of cold spots, sightings, and unexplained images appearing in photographs.
There have even been reports of actual physical experiences, such as being comforted or kissed when no one is there. Doors open and close without explanation, objects move by themselves, and some people have reported seeing strange lights. Witnesses have also claimed to see people moving about in the windows that are covered by display panels from the inside.
Investigation Report
The Paranormal Research Australia team have not investigated this site. No conclusions can be made at this time.
