The party of the British surveyor Charles Grimes were the first Europeans to view the River Yarra, as it was later to be named. Members of the party reached the area now known as Studley Park in 1803. This local re-enactment commemorated 175 years since that event.Charles Grimes, Re-enactment, Yarra River, Kew, 1978. Inscription on reverse: "Trinity Grammar School students taking part in Grimes' journey up the Yarra, 1803. Re-enactment Historical Society Kew contribution to the 1978 Festival of Kew."charles grimes re-enactment, trinity grammar school, cr whiting -- mayors -- kew (vic.), yarra river, andrew allen, kew historical society

In 1928 a footbridge was erected to link Kew with the public golf course across the Yarra. The total cost of construction came to 250 pounds and the bridge became known as Kane's Bridge. During the 1934 floods the bridge was washed downstream, and was subsequently rebuilt. The present form of the bridge resembles the earlier bridge which crossed from the Yarra Bend Asylum to Kew, further upstream. (VHD)This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A photographic copy of an older photograph of Kanes Bridge."Kanes Bridge"kanes bridge, yarra river, bridges - kew (vic.)

The Yarra River was a major subject for the producers of postcards in Melbourne. This dual image postcard shows images of the Yarra in two locations. Studley Park in Kew was a major location for recreation activities by the people of Melbourne.Image of the Yarra at Sudley Park shows remnant vegetation preserved on the banks of the Yarra in this part of Kew.Monochrome postcard with two images of the Yarra River, the lower image showing the Yarra at Studley Park. The reverse has a handwritten birthday greeting from Eileen to her mother Mrs Clark. Original postage stamp has been removed and slight tearing in top right corner. Two ink stamps KEW HISTORICAL SOCIETY have been added."Mrs Clark, Harp Road, East Kew / Wishing Mother a very happy Birthday and many returns / from Eileen"yarra falls, dual image postcards, yarra river -- studley park -- melbourne (vic.), monochrome postcards

In the 1920s and 30s, rowing on the Yarra was a very popular weekend pastime. Each of the early boats was individually named in gold letters on its varnished wooden backboard. This is all that remains of one of the Thames pulling boats from Burns' Boatshed at Studley Park which was destroyed by a falling tree in a storm. Their entire fleet of rowing boats has now been replaced by fiberglass boats.Varnished wooden backplate of a rowing boat. The shaped sign is embossed with the name 'Wagana" in gold lettering, outlined and shaded in black paint. Gilt scroll work surrounds the name. The ends of the backplate shows the holes where the plate was once attached to the seat of the boat. The name Wagana means 'to dance' in Wiradjuri language."Wagana"burns' boatshed, thames pulling boats, yarra river -- kew (vic.), boathouses - river yarra

An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Rae series of postcards, otherwise unknown, showing important sites in KewSmall folding postcard including nine black and white postcard views of Kew. Cover depicts Kew War Memorial set within an embossed cardboard frame. Individual postcards include: Studley Park Road, River Yarra showing new Bridge [Chandler Hwy], High Street showing soldier's memorial, River Yarra at Victoria Bridge, The Yarra at Studley Park, Holy Trinity Church, the [Alexandra] Gardens, New Yarra Bridge [Burke Rd], Soldiers' Memorial and Post Office Kewwashfold family, christian-washfold collection, postcards -- kew (vic.)

Henry Christian (c.1809-91), the grandfather of the photographer, was one of the first settlers in Kew. He arrived in Victoria with his wife Agnes and son Orlando in 1855 on the Gypsy Queen. He established a rope-making business in Bulleen Road by 1858 but was declared insolvent two years later. In his final years, he was celebrated as one of the oldest living settlers of the district. His son, Orlando Henry Beater Christian (c.1853-1930) became a member of the Hawthorn Band and a foundation member of the Willsmere Swimming Club. Orlando and his wife Elizabeth had four children of which Henry Beater Christian (1886-1962) was the oldest.An album of photographs, compiled by Henry Beater Christian (1886-1962) of Pakington Street, Kew, depicting individuals, natural and settled environments and the interactions between these worlds. Henry Christian, was a keen explorer, not just of his immediate environment but also of the Victorian wilderness. His major opus is contained in two albums in which he records, sometimes in majestic detail and on other occasions the intimate features of the natural world. His photographic travels during the 1920s, often in solitary ramblings but on other occasions with companions, recall the heroic landscape photography of an earlier era, pioneered by Nicholas Caire. In addition to their aesthetic value, the albums are historically significant records within the State of Victoria, of what is now a distant point in time, and of places that have become radically altered through human intervention.Digital copy of a 47-page photograph album containing 255 gelatinous silver images, loaned by Diane Washfold with permission given to digitise and hold a copy in our collection. The album contains a groups of photographic positives taken by Henry B Christian (a resident of Pakington Street), of places in Kew and throughout regional Victoria during the 1920s. The mainly sepia photographs, while small, are of a high resolution. Photographs are typically lightly glued onto pages. Locations are frequently identified by white or black ink, which in a number of cases is illegible due to wear.henry beater christian (1886-1962), landscape photography, photograph albums, kew (vic.) — yarra river, kew (vic.) — zig-zag bridge, kew (vic.) — macauley’s boathouse, studley park (vic.) — yarra river, wonderland — grampians (vic.), black spur (vic.), marysville (vic.), maroondah dam (vic.) — construction, warburton (vic.), cockatoo (vic.), bruthen (vic.), swan reach road (vic.), glen hills (vic.), lightning creek (vic.), omeo (vic.), glen wills (vic.), mt wills (vic.), sunnyside (vic), granite flat (vic.), toolangi (vic.), yea (vic, )., flowerdale (vic.), mt white law (vic.), baw baw (vic.), christian-washfold collection

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Back and white photograph of the Yarra River at Kew. In the distance the towers of the Kew Asylum are visible."View of Yarra from Cliffs, Studley Park" / "Studley Park" / "Jim's" / "58"yarra river -- kew (vic), landscape photography

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) was established by an act of the Victorian Parliament in 1890 to prepare for and to implement a sewerage and water reticulation system across what was then inner Melbourne, its surrounding and middle distance suburbs, including Kew. The MMBW was disbanded in 1991.The map collection of the Kew Historical Society has at its core the historic maps assembled and originally stored in the City Engineer's Department of the City of Kew. These include maps in a number of scales. The vast majority of maps were produced by the MMBW in the first two decades of the twentieth century, and are solid working maps, backed by linen for durability. These maps are historically significant to Kew, the City of Boroondara and to the history of the development of state utilities in Victoria. A number of the Kew maps have additional details added by former municipal officers, including the levels reached by various floods. As these were working documents, information was added to them long after the period of their initial production and distribution.Map of the City of Kew showing part of the River Yarra Beautification Schemes. The map shows development to date and the flood levels reached in 1923 and 1924. This map may have been adapted from an earlier map, as most development in central Kew and Studley Park had occurred by this date yet numerous streets are not represented. Public buildings and institutions are clearly represented and named on the map as are significant public transport infrastructure (eg the Outer Circle railway).MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS / RIVER YARRA BEAUTIFICATION SCHEMES / SCHEME / SCALE 10 CHAINS TO AN INCHmelbourne & metropolitan board of works, mmbw maps, mmbw plans, city of kew, flood levels -- kew (vic.), cartography

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created.Colour positive transparency (slide) of the garden, facing the river, of the mansion at 27 Redmond Street, Kew, Initially known as 'Yarra Bluffs' or 'Red Bluffs'. The house was built for George H Mott, prominent newspaper owner, prior to 1890. The landholdings of the house were subdivided during the 1940s. "Cnr Redmond and Fellows Streets"historic houses -- kew (vic.), redmond street -- kew (vic.), yarra bluffs, red bluffs, george h mott, victorian mansions -- studley park

Villa Alba, a two-storeyed residence with rendered masonry walls and a slate roof, stands opposite Studley Park, overlooking the Yarra River. It is believed to have been first built before 1863, but substantially remodelled and enlarged in about 1882-83 for William Greenlaw, the Manager of the Colonial Bank of Australasia. Although the house and its tower must always have been a landmark in the area and the architecture is unusual, almost Norman in style, it is the interior which is the most remarkable feature of Villa Alba. (Source: VHD)Small black and white photographic positive of Vila Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew in 1981 when the original 1880s house was surrounded by hospital wards. The latter had been built by the Royal Women's Hospital after it acquired the site in 1950. The site wa Slater transferred to the Mount Royal Hospital before being purchased and converted into a museum of interior design.Verso: "Villa Alba 1981"villa alba -- 44 walmer street -- kew (vic.), mount royal hospital, henry pride wing

Those sections of Studley Park closest to the River Yarra were set aside as parkland in the 1850s. After initial discussions about whether it was a suitable site for a Government House, much of the land was instead gazetted in the 1860s as the location for a new lunatic asylum, to expand overcrowded mental health facilities at the Yarra Bend Asylum on the other side of the river at Fairfield. Those sections of Studley Park bounded by the Yarra River, Studley Park Road, Princess Street and Fellows Street were subdivided and sold at the Crown Land Sales in 1851. Much of this urban area remained open farmland until the twentieth century, apart from mansions, largely located along the main roads.Original, black and white positive print of what is said to represent Studley Park in 1937. If the attribution and date is literally to be understood, then it would appear that the photograph may have been taken from the Kew side of the river looking across to open farmland in the Yarra Bend Park. If the designation of Studley Park is to be understood more loosely, then it might be a view of what is now East Kew, taken from a section of Kilby Road. Inscribed verso: "Studley Park 1937" studley park -- kew (vic.)

Land along the Yarra River in Kew is now either designated open space, parkland or public golf links. By the 1930s much of this area remained open farmland, bought at auction for dairy farming in the 1840s.Original, black and white positive print of what is said to be the Yarra Flats near Burke Road Bridge. On the horizon, building can be seen, whereas in the middle ground, farm fencing and a windmill are the main features as well as remnant Eucalypts. Inscribed verso: "Yarra Flats near Burke Rd Bridge 1937" studley park -- kew (vic.)