[3] The building is set on 8,196 square metres (88,221 sq ft) of manicured gardens situated on the side of Mount Melville and overlooks the town of Albany and Princess Royal Harbour.

[4] The Government of Western Australia acquired the property in 1912[2] to utilize as a summer cottage for vice regal dignitaries.

During World War I the house was used as a convalescent home for wounded servicemen up until 1921 when the government started using the building again for vice regal visits.

By 1937 the governor no longer required the building and it then served several purposes including being used as a school, maternity and general hospital.

[8] In 2005 the building received a A$50,000 grant from the state government to assist with the cost of conservation work including the replacement of the aluminium windows and doors with jarrah frames.