The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. Reconciling this hand-drawn subdivision plan with a modern map of the area is initially a challenge due to a change of street names. Argyle Road in the centre of the subdivision was to be renamed Deepdene Road, and the street named Deepdene Road on the plan was to become Deepdene Place. Of interest is the nursery on the corner of Argyle and Whitehorse Roads. During this period there were a number of nurseries servicing the Kew and Balwyn areas. The subdivision was essentially of the land formerly occupied by the house 'Deepdene'.subdivision plans - balwyn, deepdene, whitehorse road -- deepdene (vic.), deepdene road -- deepdene (vic.), burke road -- deepdene (vic.)

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these.The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. A subdivision plan for nineteen ‘bonny, airy building blocks’ on either side of Violet Grove, Kew East. Violet Grove runs between High Street and Harp Road. Like many other subdivisions in Kew and East Kew, older houses (Lots 1 and 13) were often included in the subdivision. Such houses were in some instances the original properties that were subdivided, or in the case of the Violet Grove subdivision, new houses such as the weatherboard villa on lot 13. This villa is advertised as having a tiled roof, 5 rooms, panelled hall, double doors (Rooms 14 x 12 ft. 6 in. (2) 14 x 12, 12 x 11, 13 x 11). A bricked front verandah, a tiled stove recess and existing sewerage connection added to its saleable potential. Water, electric light and power, and gas were all offered as part of the deal. Violet Grove now has about 35 houses, which indicates that the 19 lots of the subdivision were to be further subdivided by purchasers. [A similar plan is in the Batten & Percy Collection of the State Library of Victoria.]subdivision plans - east kew, violet farm estate, violet grove -- kew (vic.), boorool road -- kew (vic.), harp road -- kew east (vic.)

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. The subdivision called the ‘Flower Farm Estate’ in Kew East occurred in 1922. It included 61 lots on either side of Boorool Road between High Street and Harp Road. In an advertisement in The Argus in the same year, the proximity of the estate to the newly erected shops at the corner of Harp Road and High Street is noted. The Flower Farm Estate and similar subdivisions in Kew East were assisted by the extension of the High Street tramline in 1924.subdivision plans - east kew, flower farm estate, high street - kew east (vic.), boorool road -- kew east (vic.), harp road -- kew east (vic.)

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers & McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. In 1918, Punch reported the sale of the Palmyra Estate. ‘Adjoining the Findon Estate at Kew is Palmyra, one of the most charming localities in this most desirable of all suburbs. Palmyra has frontages to Findon, Bakewell, Carson and Stevenson streets. Facing Carson street are eight blocks of 60 by 140; on Stevenson-street four of 60 by 232; and there are four of 60 by 233 on Bakewell-street.’ [Bakewell Street and Findon Street were later to be amalgamated into Findon Crescent.]subdivision plans - kew, studley park, palymyra estate, stevenson street -- kew (vic.), carson street -- kew (vic.), bakewell street (findon crescent) -- kew (vic.)

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed as well as evidence relating to surveyors and real estate and financial agents. The numerous subdivision plans in the Kew Historical Society's collection represent working documents, ranging from the initial sketches made in planning a subdivision to printed plans on which auctioneers or agents listed the prices for which individual lots were sold. In a number of cases, the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection includes a photograph of a house that was also for sale by the agent. These photographs provide significant heritage information relating house design and decoration, fencing and household gardens.In January 1929, the Kew City Council called for tenders to construct Tregarron Avenue. The subdivision of the Tregarron Estate in Kew was for 11 lots bordering Tregarron Avenue and its entrance from Burke Road. The plan includes annotations that indicate the measurement of each block and the placement of the drainage and sewerage easements. This plan is interesting for a number of factors. The house blocks today have different street numbers, some blocks were to be further subdivided, and at the time of the subdivision, alterations were still being made to the extent of lots offered; lots 2 and 3 on the plan were subdivided and reoriented.subdivision plans - kew, tregarron estate, tregarron avenue -- kew (vic.), burke road -- kew (vic.)

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers & McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. The advertisement for the ‘Kewdene Estate’ subdivision is pasted over a photograph of a property for sale. This is typical of the reuse of promotional materials in the period during, and subsequent to World War I. The subdivision included 14 lots bordered by Belmore Road, Birtles Street and Giles Street. On the other side of the subdivision [Glass] Creek is noted. The subdivision plan also shows part of the Outer Circle Railway and Deepdene Railway Station.subdivision plans - east kew, kewdene estate, belmore road -- kew east (vic.), giles street -- kew east (vic.)

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. This plan shows a subdivision with two sections: the ‘Boulevard Section’ and the ‘Riverside Section’. The first of these sections bordered Burke Road between Kilby Road and the farm beside the Yarra. Kilby Road, Munro Road, Burke Road and Old Burke Road bordered the 102 lots in the Boulevard Section of the plan. The streets within the Section included Walbundry Avenue, Inverness Way, Riverside Avenue, Cascade Street and Kyora Parade. These street names, at least in this subdivision plan linked the two Sections of the subdivision. At a later date, the City of Kew decided to alter the street names. Walbundry, Inverness, Riverside, Cascade and Kyora were all renamed as ‘Drives’ (e.g. Kyora Drive). The subdivision plan is of interest in that it names High Street in Kew as Doncaster Road. It also shows the location of the wooden church that was later removed to Yarraville on the corner of Kilby Road and High Street. The plan predates later developments such as the S. E. Dickens Supermarket.subdivision plans - east kew, boulevard estate, munro road -- kew east (vic.), kilby road -- kew east (vic.), burke road -- kew east (vic.), walbundry avenue -- kew east (vic.), inverness way -- kew east (vic.), riverside avenue -- kew east (vic.), cascade drive -- kew east (vic.), nyora parade -- kew east (vic.)

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. The Goldthorns Hill Estate subdivision was first put up for auction in 1925. The subdivision took its name from the mansion ‘Goldthorns’, shown on the plan between Normanby Road and Lady Loch’s Drive. Contemporary advertisements describe forty-three home sites being fro sale, yet only forty-one appear on this plan. Buyers were lured by the prospect of the proposed extension of the Burke Road tram to High Street. Discerning buyers were advised that only one house could be built per allotment, and that houses needed to be constructed of brick, stone or concrete and have a slate or tiled roof.goldthorns avenue -- kew east (vic.), lady loch drive -- kew east (vic.), argyle road -- kew east (vic.), lady brassey drive -- kew east (vic.), campbell street -- kew east (vic.), goldthorns -- kew (vic.), subdivisions -- kew east (viv.), goldthorns hill estate

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. A number of the latter are by noted photographers such as J.E. Barnes.The house lots in the Rimington Nursery Estate were advertised for sale on Saturday 22nd October 1949. The nine lots in the sale were in Stoke Avenue and Burke Road. Mathers & McMillan of 136 Cotham Road, Kew, offered the lots for sale. [The final sale of lots within the Rimington Nursery Estate occurred as late as 1958.]subdivision plans - kew, rimington nursery estate, monist victor road - kew (vic.)

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 reproduction of a plan in the Vale Collection of the State Library of Victoria. The plan shows the Rosebank Estate in Kew which was offered for sale in 1881. The subdivision was located in Studley Park and included lots in Redmond Street; Fellows Street; Wills Street; Molesworth Street; Barry Street and Princess Street. The surveyor of the subdivision was the local architect George Wharton.rosebank estate (kew), subdivisions -- studley park -- kew (vic.), thomas wills, wills family

Gwen Barton McWilliam (nee: Nelson), OAM, BA (1933- ). Gwen McWilliam is well known as an authority on the history of Boroondara and the author of a large number of books and pamphlets about the City. She was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia in 2001 ‘for service to the community of Hawthorn and district, particularly through the research, documentation and publication of its history.’ Primary source annotated by a distinguished local historian.Plan of number of areas in the City of Heidelberg showing municipal and ward boundaries, subsequently annotated by the historian Gwen McWilliam, identifying significant landholdings, subdivisions and key dates.The base map was printed in 1970 and annotated c.1993. The plan was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Gwen McWilliam. Handwritten annotations by Gwen McWilliam, 1993city of heidelberg, maps -- heidelberg (vic.), gwen mcwilliam

Despite the plans claims that it is a subdivision near the Richmond Bridge, Section 115 was located at what is now Camberwell Junction. While the plan only lists government roads rather than named streets, the section was located on the east side of Burke Road, stretching up the hill from the current Junction. Research on Trove, conducted by Kerry Fairbank, discovered an advertisement for unsold lots in Section 115 which clarifies the extent and location of subsequent land sales in the original section. The original article can be viewed through the link in the catalogue record. The interesting link to Kew is the reference to James Beavan as the purchaser of lots 14 and 15. The historian Gwen McWilliam has notes that a Mr Beavan changed his name from Bevan. The Bevans were descendants of the Derricks family of Kew. This subdivision plan is the earliest original map or plan in the collection which shows parts of what is now the City of Boroondara, dating from circa 1853. It provides important information for researchers on subsequent subdivisions following the original land sales in [Camberwell] Boroondara. The site, on the east side of Burke Road is a highly-significant and historic site. This is believed to be the only extant copy of the subdivision in public collections.A small plan on parchment listing 28 lots, between one and two acres each, for sale in Section 115 in the Parish of Boroondara, dating from 1853 when the portion was subdivided.Obverse: Lot 16 "Joseph Duval", Lots 14 & 15 "James Beavan". Other annotations (measurements) are unreadable. Reverse: "KH-981 / Section 115 in the Parish of Boroondara / Near Richmond Bridge / 1640T. / J Duval / 14-15 J. Beavanparish of boroondara, subdivision plans - camberwell, section 115 - boroondara, subdivision plans -- camberwell (vic), riverscape road, burke road, camberwell junction

An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Black and white photograph of man standing underneath large conifers looking across a valley to buildings in the distance. Similar locations in nos.41, 42, 43, 44.christian-washfold collection, landscape photography, subdivisions -- kew (vic.)

An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Black and white photograph looking across a valley to buildings in the distance. Similar locations in nos.41, 42, 43. 44.subdivisions -- kew (vic.), christian-washfold collection, landscape photography

An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Black and white photograph looking across a valley to buildings in the distance. Similar locations in nos.41, 42, 43, 44. Road-making in foreground. Identical but sharper photo than no.44.christian-washfold collection, landscape photography, subdivisions -- kew (vic.)

An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Black and white photograph looking across a valley to buildings in the distance. Similar locations in nos.41, 42, 43, 44. Road-making in foreground. Identical but paler photo than no.43.christian-washfold collection, landscape photography, subdivisions -- kew (vic.)

This is one of two photographs of the same view in the collection. The other purports to be taken in 1925 whereas this photo has an inscription dating it to 1927. East Kew was the last section of Kew to be developed following subdivision of the large estates and former farmland in the first half of the twentieth century. The centre of the photograph would appear to show the trees of the Boroondara cemetery.Inscribed verso: "East Kew 1927" kew east (vic.), panoramic photos -- kew (vic.)

After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 22 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)This drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for a number of real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 5/60 Peel Street, Kew by Margaret Picken.5/60 PEEL ST., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN ~94 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 5/60 peel street - kew (vic)