Fremantle Art Centre

Building the Foundations: 1864
Built by convicts on a grant of six acres, this splendid example of Australian Gothic architecture first opened its doors in 1864, as the Convict Establishment Fremantle Lunatic Asylum and Invalid Depot. 
All inmates 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.
The Gold Rush: 1890 onwards
During the gold rush of the 1890s, miners and Chinese labourers were admitted suffering the effects of sunstroke and Opium smoking. The death of a Mrs Clifford in 1900, at the hands of a violent patient, finally sparked a public scandal.
At the time of Mrs Clifford’s death, 219 patients were residents in the asylum, with 17-20 occupying one room. An official inquiry finally resulted in the appointment of a medical superintendent and a trained mental health nurse.
Women’s Home: 1909 onwards
In 1909, in order to solve the problem of a decaying Government Home for Women, Fremantle’s asylum was declared a Poor House – to be known as the Women’s Home.
A year later, in a bid to solve an epidemic social problem, the building was also chosen as the site for WA’s first maternity training school. The business of maternity moved to the newly built King Edward Hospital for Women in 1916.
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. 
(wikipedia) 
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What else to do on a rainy Winters day? visit the Art Museum, of course!
The Centre has had a very colourful past but despite all that it remains a very interesting old building it also displays different exhibits every month, there was some very interesting photography art on display today. 
The courtyard is sheltered with coffee tables set around its verandas, i loved the red overhanging berries on the tree.
The day went too fast, the sun came out on the drive home, perfect end...