Labassa

Article summary

Labassa, located in Manor Grove, North Caulfield, is a late 19th century mansion in Melbourne, Australia. It is particularly noted for the lavish decoration of the main rooms, a rare survival. The house, then known as Ontario, was expanded to its present form in 1890 by architect JAB Koch for the family of noted businessman Alexander Robertson. When it was converted into flats in 1920, an appreciation for the magnificent interiors of the main rooms meant they were retained, surviving though nine owners and countless tenants. By 1960 all the grounds had been subdivided or built on, leaving the house on a small site on a side street. In 1974 it was amongst the first places listed on the new Victorian Heritage Register, and when it was put up for sale in 1980, it was purchased by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to become a house museum.

Key claims

1. date of death: 1943 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of death: 1964 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. date of death: 1980 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of death is "1943". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of death is "1964". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the date of death is "1980". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
6. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376462680