Historical information

Boroondara Cemetery, established in 1858, is within an unusual triangular reserve bounded by High Street, Park Hill Road and Victoria Park, Kew. The caretaker's lodge and administrative office (1860 designed by Charles Vickers, additions, 1866-1899 by Albert Purchas) form a picturesque two-storey brick structure with a slate roof and clock tower. A rotunda or shelter (1890, Albert Purchas) is located in the centre of the cemetery: this has an octagonal hipped roof with fish scale slates and a decorative brick base with a tessellated floor and timber seating. The cemetery is surrounded by a 2.7 metre high ornamental red brick wall (1895-96, Albert Purchas) with some sections of vertical iron palisades between brick pillars. Albert Purchas was a prominent Melbourne architect who was the Secretary of the Melbourne General Cemetery from 1852 to 1907 and Chairman of the Boroondara Cemetery Board of Trustees from 1867 to 1909. He made a significant contribution to the design of the Boroondara Cemetery. (Source: Heritage Victoria)

Significance

This photograph is one of the earliest known photographs of the cemetery, showing the early plantings and fences.

Physical description

Later print copy of an undated original photographic positive of the entrance to the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery. The Cemetery had been opened in 1855. This view is from Bulleen Road (now High Street) showing a group of 12 or 13 men standing in a line outside the entrance. At this time, the clocktower and high brick fence had not been constructed, but the trees have reached a substantial height

Inscriptions & markings

Pencil inscription on reverse - "Boroondara Cemetery Entrance 1862"