Patrick Taylor Cottage is the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia, offering a remarkable window into colonial life in the 1830s. Built in 1832 by the Morley Brothers when Albany was still a military outpost, the cottage originally stood on a vast 240 acre (97 ha) block of land near the harbour.

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In July 1834, the cottage was purchased by Patrick Taylor, an early settler and it has since become a treasured piece of Albany’s heritage. The eleven room structure made using the traditional wattle and daub method includes an entry room, boxroom, parlour, nursery, bedroom, dining and family rooms, sewing room, kitchen, laundry and a side verandah. The building’s wattle and daub construction is a rare and authentic example of early settler craftsmanship. The technique involved packing a clay based mixture (sometimes reinforced with chaff or cow manure) into a frame of timber poles and reed mats. A final coat of cow manure was often applied to waterproof the walls. Inside, the original pit-sawn jarrah floorboards, held in place with handmade nails, remain intact and is a testament to the durability of colonial building practices.

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Beyond its architecture, Patrick Taylor Cottage also serves as a museum housing over 2,000 historical items, showcasing life in early Albany. Among the artefacts is an impressive collection of English porcelain, silverware, and household goods, with some items dating back to the 1600s. The collection offers insight not only into Albany’s colonial history, but also the cultural connections between early settlers and their homeland.​