Part of the till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.A small booklet entitled 'With Him in the Garden' by Mrs E. Pfeifer - John 20:1-18 Cream paper booklet with a tree on the front.'With Him in the Garden' by Mrs E. Pfeiferbooks, religion

Anglican services were first held in Carisbrook in 1851. In 1854 church services and a school were conducted in the Parish Hall. In 1864 - 1866 the blue stone church was erected. The interior was renovated in 1966 and the vestry was added in 1972. St Paul's Carisbrook was decommissioned in 2015, with the last service being held on 31 October 2015 after 149 years of worship.Colour photograph of a Church at Carisbrook, Victoria.carisbrook, church, st paul's anglican church carisbrook, carisbrook church of england

The First Vermont Scout Group was founded by Rev. Mc Keon of the St. Lukes church of England about 1922.Black and white photograph of Vermont First Boy Scout Hall. Weatherboard building with iron roof. Trees in foreground.scout hall vermont, vermont scout hall

The Rooks family emigrated from England in 1857. Abraham Rooks came to Forest Hill in 1862 and leased 79 acres. After 10 years of successful farming he owned the land. Abraham Rooks held the first church meetings in his home and in 1865 was one of the trustees to receive a crown grant to erect a chapel. In 1970 a school was attached to the chapel. Rooks Road is named after him.Coloured photo of the Rooks family tombstone - grave 226, Methodist section|Rooks, Abraham died 1 September 1889, aged 65 years|Rooks, Sarah died 2 January 1898, aged 66 yearsrooks, abraham, rooks, sarah, tombstones, rooks road, vermont

Girls Anglican Grammar School Queens. First location of QCEGGS on Mair Street. Principals Misses Larritt & Hayhoe and girls playing tennis. This comes from the Ballarat Homecoming publication.queens church of england girls grammar school, qceggs, education, building, public, mair street, ballarat, ballarat homecoming

Camberwell Girls Grammar School was from 1927-1929 called St Mark's Church of England Girls' Grammar SchoolThis image is the earliest documentation of the School's relocation from St Mark's Church to its current site at 2 Torrington Street, Canterbury Victoria. Miss Louisa Stafford Taylor was Principal of the School from 1928 - June 1959. It has rarity value as the only image known of the School at this time. The image also shows that the School accepted enrolments from boys who attended the lower classes.Sepia photograph of the whole School assembled outside Torrington House in February 1927 after moving from its first location at St Mark's Church, Camberwell. The Principal and teachers stand in the back row with the students graduating from the senior girls to the smaller children in the front.

St Augustine's was consecrated in June 1864 and the first minister was Rev. H. C. M. Watson.16 Page Booklet celebrating 100 years of the church 1864-1964, program of events, Foreward by the rector, history of the church.religion, lydia chancellor collection, history, church

In 1977, artist Annette Meikle undertook a commission to illustrate a book recording stories of places and people in the Bayside area. It was published in 1978 as Sandringham Sketchbook, with text by Elizabeth Waters. The sketches were intended to record remaining examples of Bayside’s early architecture and environment, as well as reflect newer architectural changes. Meikle went on to donate 22 of these sketches to Bayside City Council in 2003. All Souls Memorial Church, located at 48 Bay Road, Sandringham, is believed to be the first reinforced concrete church in Australia. The foundation stone laid on 7 September 1919 and was consecrated in December 1921, the church seats 350 and contains an organ loft, a marble chancel floor, and Australian hardwood pulpit and pews.Annette Meikle, Church of England 1977, ink and watercolour, 35.6 x 25 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Donated by the artist, 2003annette meikle, sandringham sketchbook, elizabeth waters, all souls memorial church, church, building, architecture, bay road, sandringham, church of england

HOSKING AND HUNKIN COLLECTION: Common Prayer Book inside envelope. On Front Cover: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge 1698 On Indside of Cover: Rasim xx x Vinixxxxx gives this book to Emely Hosking for her sake. First Page: The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the sacrements, and other rites and cermonies of the Church according to the United Church of England and Ireland: together with the Psalter or psalms of David., pointed as they are and the form and manner of making, ordaining and consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Oxford: Printed at the University Press, for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Sold at the Society's Depository, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Field, London. y24Nonparell 24's M.DCCCLIK. Cum Privilegio Slip of paper inside book: 1000M 800 DCCC 50 L 9 IX = 1859 Front of Envolope: Another book given (by?) when family left Redruth for Australia. Rear of Envelope: Betty Knight (Great Grand-daughter) 29 Gilbertson Street Essendon Vic 3040book

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria)This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). That area of Kew bordered by Cotham Road, Park Hill Road, Ermington Lane (now Ermington Place), and Belmont Avenue contained some of the significant homes owned by Kew pioneers. Chief among these was ‘Park Hill’ on an enormous lot facing Park Hill Road. The Jubilee History of 1910 noted, six years after this plan was drawn, that: ‘Park Hill Road, forming the southern boundary of the cemetery, takes its name from Park Hill, the residence of Mr. Thomas Judd, who has resided there since December, 1852.’ Other named houses on the plan include ‘Ferndale’ facing Cotham Road; ‘Ermington’ adjacent to Judd’s Park Hill, facing Park Hill Road; and ‘Gilden’ and ‘Mont Belmont’ facing Belmont Avenue. Mont Belmont was designed by the architectural firm of Reed, Henderson and Smart for William George Lilley in 1887 and was completed in 1888. Lilley was Mayor of Kew in 1887-88, a Justice of the Peace and a member of the first Board of Guardians of Kew’s St. Hilary’s Church of England.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, survey plans - borough of kew, mmbw 1591, cartography

The Victorian-era architect George Wharton, the initial surveyor of Kew. In 1866, he designed and had built Fernhurst in Studley Park, the house a prominent landmark. He resided there until his death, aged 69, on 26 November 1891. He was buried on 27 November in Grave 1520, Church of England Compartment B, Boroondara General Cemetery. Fernhurst Grove is named after his house, which was demolished in 1979.Born digital image of the grave and headstone of the architect George Wharton in the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery, 2013. George Wharton created the first survey of Kew and was elected the Municipality's first Chairman in 1861.victorian architects - george wharton, chairmen of kew (vic) - george wharton, boroondara general (kew) cemetery

Susan BakerReference, Research, InformationProvenance Order1. Photograph of Len Baker in WWI British Army uniform; 2. Certificate of Transfer to Reserve 1918; 3. Photograph of Len and Edie Baker's wedding in 1932; 4. Letter from St Paul's Church of England, East Kew vicarage 1940; 5. Letter from City of Kew 1941; 6. Wallet from City of Kew given in WWII; 7. 2nd Australian Imperial Force Certificate of Discharge, dated 7 May 1941; 8. Australian Military Forces Volunteer Defence Corps Certificate of Discharge dated 15/3/42 - 9/10/45; 9. British Passport issued 20 April 1971 from British High Commission Canberra The items were donated by the great-niece of Len Baker. Each item can be viewed in the image carousel above.ww1 (1914-1918), second world war (1939-1945), first world war (1914-1918), ww2 (1939-1945), wwii (1939-1945), wwi (1914-1918), len baker, city of kewww1 (1914-1918), second world war (1939-1945), first world war (1914-1918), ww2 (1939-1945), wwii (1939-1945), wwi (1914-1918), len baker, city of kew

Framed embroidery, 68 Eglinton Street Kew. Undated. Home of the Bogle family during the First World War. Thomas Bogle Reg No. 479 Church of England, Single, Labourer, Father William Bogle (same address), enlisted 1915 29th Battalion B CompanyNoneSmall framed tapestry of 68 Eglinton Street, a single-fronted weatherboard cottage in Kew.68 EGLINTON STREEThouses - eglinton street - kew (vic), tapestries

Depicts local scene: Ely's House:- First Office, Keilor Roads Board 1863; Church of England School 1853 to c. 1865; Keilor Post OfficeOld House picture made out of bark, early keilor

This is an early photograph of St. Mary's Anglican Church in Sunbury. On 13th October 1863, the Government granted one acre of land on the corner of Stawell and O'Shanassy Streets for the building of a church. he first service was held on 24th November 1867. After that date subsequent additions were made. The gas lamp outside the church indicates that the photograph was taken before electric power was installed in Sunbury. St. Mary's Anglican Church is one of the earliest places of worship to be built in Sunbury.A non-digital sepia post card photograph of a small bluestone church with a slate roof with a wooden picket fence and two gates across the front. A gas lamp is on the pathway. Peter Collett's signature is on the back as well as a sticker with number 7 written on itst. mary's church of england., o'shanassy street, stawell street

The foundation stone for St George's Church of England, Mont Albert was laid in 1886 on land donated by Edward Dyer and the first service was preached in January 1887. From 1904 until 1907 it was known as Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills. The original church was weatherboard and replaced by a brick one in the Gothic Revival style which was designed by local architect George J V Blackburne, who also designed the Wesleyan School at Surrey Hills. The building was partly funded by donations, profits from a bazaar and concert, and other people donated furnishings. The church had boundaries along Mont Albert Road and St Georges Road. In 1998 the Church was sold and converted into a complex of units. Its current address is 19 St Georges Avenue, Mont Albert. The purpose of this working bee in 1923 was to close up the double gateway, which in earlier times had been used for entry of by horse-drawn vehicles to the church grounds. 'Lugano' was built in 1893 for William Wilson, a prominent stonemason and importer of marble fireplaces. In 1903 it became the home of William Holmes who was Chief Electrical Engineer for the Victorian Railways. He designed the electrification of the Melbourne suburban network. 'Lugano' stayed in the Holmes family until the 1930s. Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s in particular of events and activities associated with the Church of England.Black and white photo of 6 men behind and in front of a picket fence, a section of which has posts and railings only. In front of the fence is a wide grassy verge on which a bench is set up for cutting lengths of wood. A large Victorian house ('Lugano') can be seen in the background and a lamp post with a street sign. Beyond the house are mature eucalyptus trees.churches, holy trinity church, anglican church, st george's anglican church, working bees, lugano, william holmes, william wilson, norman brodley carter

The railway extended through to Mont Albert in 1882, but it wasn't until 1890 that a station was built with funds raised by a syndicate of local landowners.The buildings on the south side of the railway were built in 1910-1911 in the Arts and Crafts style by architect, K W Hardy. The land occupied by the Hamilton Street shops was subdivided in the 1880s and the first purpose-built shop was 'Pope and Moran, Grocers'. This shop later became Tom Morris' Grocery. By 1930 shops stretched along both sides of Hamilton Street and part way along Churchill Street. The donor, the late Norman Carter held a significant collection of photos taken around Mont Albert and Surrey Hills, in particular subjects related to the Church of England.Black and white photo taken from the centre of the road in Churchill Street, Mont Albert. Mont Albert station is on the RHS fenced off by a post and rail fence. Shops can be seen at the intersection of Hamilton and Churchill Streets. There do not appear to be any shops in Churchill Street. There are newly planted street trees within paling guards on the LHS. There does not appear to be any curb and channelling at the side of the road.Rear in blue biro in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting "Mont Albert Station 1919".mont albert station, railways, hamilton street, churchill street, shops, arts and crafts style, norman carter

The land occupied by the Hamilton Street shops was subdivided in the 1880s and the first purpose-built shop was 'Pope and Moran, Grocers'. This shop later became Tom Morris' Grocery. By 1930 shops stretched along both sides of Hamilton Street and part way along Churchill Street. The donor the late Norman Carter took many photos documenting Mont Albert and Surrey Hills from the 1920s. His subject matter often related to Church of England events and activities.Black and white photo taken from the centre of the road in Hamilton Street, Mont Albert. Three single storey shops can be seen with vacant blocks of land in between them. They have verandas extending over the pavement to the edge of the road which appears to have bluestone curb and channelling. One shop sells dairy produce and small goods.hamilton street, shops

The property in the foreground is 'Edgeware' at 171 Union Road, a house built by the Zeplin family. It became the home / residence of Dr Percy Liddle and later Dr James Landells Blakie. By the time this photo was taken Dr Blakie had moved across the road to 174 Union Road. In the background behind the 2 houses in the foreground is the Surrey Hills Stationmaster's house, sitting behind a picket fence. The Alan Holt register gives a build date of c1915 for this house, which fits stylistically. The first stationmaster was probably Michael Ginnane, who stayed in the area after he retired, moving to 1 Russell Street. This property was listed as 8 Bedford Avenue, the only house on the south side of the road. It was demolished in c1972 to make way for widening of the rail track with a third line. The photographer Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s, in particular of events and activities associated with the Church of England.Black and white photo taken from the steeple of Holy Trinity Church looking across housing towards the railway line and Albany / Windsor Crescents and on towards Canterbury Road. Surrey Hills Primary School and St Stephens Presbyterian Church feature prominently on the horizon. The stationmaster's cottage is centre left adjacent to a large conifer-like tree, with a white fence delineating the railway yards.On back of original: "6-11-21" and in a different hand in biro: "from tower of Holy Trinity Church"albany crescent, windsor crescent, st stephens presbyterian church, surrey hills primary school, railways, stationmasters' houses, bedford avenue, norman carter, edgeware, dr percy liddle, dr james blakie

The foundation stone for St George's Church of England, Mont Albert was laid in 1886 on land donated by Edward Dyer and the first service was preached in January 1887. From 1904 until 1907 it was known as Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills. The original church was weatherboard and replaced by a brick one in the Gothic Revival style which was designed by local architect George J V Blackburne, who also designed the Wesleyan School at Surrey Hills. The building was partly funded by donations, profits from a bazaar and concert, and other people donated furnishings. The church had boundaries along Mont Albert Road and St Georges Road. In 1998 the Church was sold and converted into a complex of units. Its current address is 19 St Georges Avenue, Mont Albert. Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s, in particular of events and activities associated with the Church of England.Black and white photo of 4 men at a working bee in the grounds of St George's Anglican Church in Mont Albert. Two men are on a scaffold working on the weatherboards of the church; the other two are working on fencing. One boundary is marked with a paling fence; the other has a section of picket fencing and a large open section with no fencing. There is a mature eucalyptus tree in front of the church; others are beyond the paling boundary fence. The church itself is a simply constructed weatherboard building.churches, holy trinity church, anglican church, st george's anglican church, working bees, norman brodley carter

The drags would have been leaving St George's Church of England in Mont Albert Road. The foundation stone for St George's Church of England, Mont Albert was laid in 1886 on land donated by Edward Dyer and the first service was preached in January 1887. From 1904 until 1907 it was known as Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills. The original church was weatherboard and replaced by a brick one in the Gothic Revival style which was designed by local architect George J V Blackburne, who also designed the Wesleyan School at Surrey Hills. The building was partly funded by donations, profits from a bazaar and concert, and other people donated furnishings. The church had boundaries along Mont Albert Road and St Georges Road. In 1998 the Church was sold and converted into a complex of units. Its current address is 19 St Georges Avenue, Mont Albert. The annual Sunday School picnic was held at Hampton and drags were the usual mode of transport. 'Lugano' was built in 1893 for William Wilson, a prominent stonemason and importer of marble fireplaces. In 1903 it became the home of William Holmes who was Chief Electrical Engineer for the Victorian Railways. He designed the electrification of the Melbourne suburban network. 'Lugano' stayed in the Holmes family until the 1930s. The annual Sunday School picnic was held at at a variety of locations and drags were the usual mode of transport. Donor information is that this was taken as the congregation prepared to depart for at Hampton on the picnic held on 25/2/1922. There are 2 copies: the original donated print and an enlargement. The original was mounted on card with photo mounts along with 506, 871, 872, and 873. It measures 13 cm x 9 cm.Black and white photo of 4 'drags' (horse-drawn hooded carriages) lined up in Mont Albert Road near the corner of St George's Avenue, in readiness for departure for the Sunday School picnic. The carriages are loaded with people and decorated with flags. The front carriage has a material sign attached to the side; the top line of writing is not decipherable, but the bottom one reads "SURREY HILLS". Four men stand in the road, which has bluestone curb and channelling. In the background is 'Lugano'.On rear in ink: "S.S. picnic to Hampton / 25th. Feb. 1922" and in a different hand in biro: "At Mont Albert. St George's Church"churches, holy trinity church, anglican church, sunday schools, picnics, lugano, horse-drawn vehicles, william wilson, willaim holmes, st george's church of england, mont albert, mont albert road

The donor and family of this gown were long-term Brighton residents, and the gowns were held by them as family heirlooms prior to donation to Brighton Historical Society. Originally owned by Elizabeth Emma Adams and Cecilia Elizabeth Adams, it is believed that the dress was brought to Australia by either a half brother, James Smith Adams, or a younger sister, Sophia Charlotte Louisa Adams (later known as Mother Rose Columba Adams). Elizabeth and Cecilia were the daughters of James Smith Adams (a squire, 1780-1860) and Elizabeth Emma McTaggart (1793-1843) of Tower House, Woodchester in Gloucester, a property which Elizabeth later inherited. Originally a monastery, Tower House had been converted into a stately home after the Reformation. According to information originally provided by the donor, both this dress and the dress T0004.3 were made for Elizabeth and Cecilia, to be worn at the young Queen Victoria’s first 'drawing room ball' following the end of court mourning in 1838 for her uncle William IV who died in 1837. In 1838 Cecilia would have been twelve years old and Elizabeth would have been ten years old. It is possible that the dress T0004.3 was worn by one of the girls to this event as it is of appropriate dimensions for a child of that age, although its design is very formal and adult. However, it is unlikely that either of the girls wore this dress at the ball due to the size and styling of the dress. It is likely that the dress belonged to one of the girls, but was worn at a later date. Elizabeth was born on 30 June 1828 at Tower House and died on 1 May 1909. She created a scandal when she eloped with her first husband, Thomas Charles Gardiner at the age of 18. The validity of the marriage was later formally investigate and, while it was confirmed as valid, a second church wedding was subsequently held. Thomas died in 1878. Elizabeth subsequently remarried Reverend R. E. Blackwell, but was widowed again by 1889. Cecilia was born on 17 December 1826 and died in 1902 a spinster recluse in England. At the inquest into Cecelia's death in 1904 it was revealed that she had clearly come from a family of means as her home was filled to the brim with highly valuable goods, many in boxes. She was buried in the family vault at Woodchester. Elizabeth and Cecilia's sister Sophia converted to Roman Catholicism in 1851 and became a nun, taking the religious name 'Rose Columba'. In 1883 Mother Rose Columba led a group of eight to Australia, answering a call for Dominican sisters to nurse the sick in Adelaide. Upon arrival, she founded St. Dominic's Priory and the Church of Perpetual Adoration in North Adelaide, using her inheritance to build the chapel. Elizabeth's second son, George Henry Somerset, who inherited the Adams family estate dropped the 'i' in Gardiner and added the maiden name of his grandmother. Therefore, the family name has now become Gardner McTaggart. These Adams family entries have been updated with information provided by Dr Herbert Gardner McTaggart, great-grandson of George Henry Somerset in April 2016. Mr McTaggart contacted the society after finding our entries online.A hand sewn white purple, pink, green, blue and yellow floral silk chiffon dress from circa 1870. The dress consists of two pieces worn together as a dress. This dress has received a great deal of mending and alteration and so it is difficult to be sure of what constitutes its original state. The following description is of its current state. The bodice has a high neck with a simple shallow band collar, an olive braid and a press stud closure. The bodice fastens down the centre front with ten hook and eyes closures and two sets of ribbon ties . The bodice has three darts providing shaping into the waistline. The bodice finishes at the waist and gently tapers towards the front creating a 'V' line. Down the centre front from the neck to the waist concealing the bodice opening is a pressed pleated ruffle of the dress fabric and a line of olive braid. The dress features pagoda sleeves finished at the hem with pressed pleated ruffle of the dress fabric, a line of olive braid and a silk fringe of 4 cm pale pink and white. The skirt part of the bodice section attaches to the front of the dress with two hooks and eyes on the left hand side of the waist. The fabric drops down to approximately the knees at the front, curving up and splitting on either side over the hip. The edge of this piece is also trimmed with a pressed pleated ruffle of the dress fabric and a line of olive braid. Just below the hip on either side is a large bow of pink, cream, purple and green taffeta. The bodice at the back is shaped with four panels into the waistline. Where it joins the bodice skirt the skirt is pleated, creating fullness. The skirt of the dress ensemble secures at the waist on the left hand side. At the front it has two pleats (that may have been repositioned during repair), and is fully gathered at the back. At the front the dress falls to the floor whilst at the back it is longer to accommodate the bustle and possibly a small train.cecilia elizabeth adams, elizabeth emma adams, 1870s fashion, tower house, woodchester, james smith adams, elizabeth emma mctaggart, mary rose columba adams, sophia charlotte louisa adams

The donor and family of this gown were long-term Brighton residents, and the gowns were held by them as family heirlooms prior to donation to Brighton Historical Society. Originally owned by Elizabeth Emma Adams and Cecilia Elizabeth Adams, it is believed that the dress was brought to Australia by either a half brother, James Smith Adams, or a younger sister, Sophia Charlotte Louisa Adams (later known as Mother Rose Columba Adams). Elizabeth and Cecilia were the daughters of James Smith Adams (a squire, 1780-1860) and Elizabeth Emma McTaggart (1793-1843) of Tower House, Woodchester in Gloucester, a property which Elizabeth later inherited. Originally a monastery, Tower House had been converted into a stately home after the Reformation. According to information originally provided by the donor, the skirt portion of this dress (along with the bodice T0004.3) was made for either Elizabeth or Cecilia to be worn at the young Queen Victoria’s first 'drawing room ball' following the end of court mourning in 1838 for her uncle William IV who died in 1837. In 1838 Cecilia would have been twelve years old and Elizabeth would have been ten years old. It is possible that this dress was worn by one of the girls to this event as it is of appropriate dimensions for a child of that age, although its design is very formal and adult. Elizabeth was born on 30 June 1828 at Tower House and died on 1 May 1909. She created a scandal when she eloped with her first husband, Thomas Charles Gardiner at the age of 18. The validity of the marriage was later formally investigate and, while it was confirmed as valid, a second church wedding was subsequently held. Thomas died in 1878. Elizabeth subsequently remarried Reverend R. E. Blackwell, but was widowed again by 1889. Cecilia was born on 17 December 1826 and died in 1902 a spinster recluse in England. At the inquest into Cecelia's death in 1904 it was revealed that she had clearly come from a family of means as her home was filled to the brim with highly valuable goods, many in boxes. She was buried in the family vault at Woodchester. Elizabeth and Cecilia's sister Sophia converted to Roman Catholicism in 1851 and became a nun, taking the religious name 'Rose Columba'. In 1883 Mother Rose Columba led a group of eight to Australia, answering a call for Dominican sisters to nurse the sick in Adelaide. Upon arrival, she founded St. Dominic's Priory and the Church of Perpetual Adoration in North Adelaide, using her inheritance to build the chapel. Elizabeth's second son, George Henry Somerset, who inherited the Adams family estate dropped the 'i' in Gardiner and added the maiden name of his grandmother. Therefore, the family name has now become Gardner McTaggart. These Adams family entries have been updated with information provided by Dr Herbert Gardner McTaggart, great-grandson of George Henry Somerset in April 2016. Mr McTaggart contacted the society after finding our entries online.A hand and machine sewn cream, pale blue, orange and gold embroidered satin formal dress, the bodice dates from circa 1890. This dress shares a skirt with T0004.3, which dates from circa 1840. The bodice features a high scoop neckline with gathers at the base of the scoop and directly below where the bodice finishes creating fullness over the bust. The bodice front encloses the bust with a right panel over the top of a left panel and securing with two hook and eye closures over the left shoulder. The panels are secured together with 15 hook and eye closures. The sleeves are set neatly on the true shoulder and are elongated full puffs to just above the elbow. The fullness is created by nine pleats from the top of the shoulder over the back of the shoulder. At the base of the sleeve the fullness is gathered just above the elbow. At the centre back of the bodice are four inward facing pleats running from the centre neck to the waist. The bodice is secured around the waist with a tape and four hook and eye closures. The bodice is boned around the sides and back of the torso with eight bones. This bodice is finished at the waist with a pleated cummerbund of the dress fabric that is designed to appear to be a sash with two decorative bows. One front left of centre and one back right of centre. The skirt secures at the waist with an opening to the left of centre at the back. The skirt gathers tightly at the centre back with a dart on either side. The skirt has a front central panel and the skirt falls to floor length. At the back, the skirt is also floor length. The back of the skirt may have been modified at some time and may have originally finished in a train. It would be more appropriate to the period of the bodice, and the believed use of the dress with a train.cecilia elizabeth adams, elizabeth emma adams, queen victoria, tower house, woodchester, james smith adams, elizabeth emma mctaggart, sophia charlotte louisa adams, 1890s fashion

The donor and family of this gown were long-term Brighton residents, and the gowns were held by them as family heirlooms prior to donation to Brighton Historical Society. Originally owned by Elizabeth Emma Adams and Cecilia Elizabeth Adams, it is believed that the dress was brought to Australia by either a half brother, James Smith Adams, or a younger sister, Sophia Charlotte Louisa Adams (later known as Mother Rose Columba Adams). Elizabeth and Cecilia were the daughters of James Smith Adams (a squire, 1780-1860) and Elizabeth Emma McTaggart (1793-1843) of Tower House, Woodchester in Gloucester, a property which Elizabeth later inherited. Originally a monastery, Tower House had been converted into a stately home after the Reformation. According to information originally provided by the donor, both this dress and the dress T0004.1 were made for Elizabeth and Cecilia, to be worn at the young Queen Victoria’s first 'drawing room ball' following the end of court mourning in 1838 for her uncle William IV who died in 1837. In 1838 Cecilia would have been twelve years old and Elizabeth would have been ten years old. It is possible that this dress was worn by one of the girls to this event as it is of appropriate dimensions for a child of that age, although its design is very formal and adult. Elizabeth was born on 30 June 1828 at Tower House and died on 1 May 1909. She created a scandal when she eloped with her first husband, Thomas Charles Gardiner at the age of 18. The validity of the marriage was later formally investigate and, while it was confirmed as valid, a second church wedding was subsequently held. Thomas died in 1878. Elizabeth subsequently remarried Reverend R. E. Blackwell, but was widowed again by 1889. Cecilia was born on 17 December 1826 and died in 1902 a spinster recluse in England. At the inquest into Cecelia's death in 1904 it was revealed that she had clearly come from a family of means as her home was filled to the brim with highly valuable goods, many in boxes. She was buried in the family vault at Woodchester. Elizabeth and Cecilia's sister Sophia converted to Roman Catholicism in 1851 and became a nun, taking the religious name 'Rose Columba'. In 1883 Mother Rose Columba led a group of eight to Australia, answering a call for Dominican sisters to nurse the sick in Adelaide. Upon arrival, she founded St. Dominic's Priory and the Church of Perpetual Adoration in North Adelaide, using her inheritance to build the chapel. Elizabeth's second son, George Henry Somerset, who inherited the Adams family estate dropped the 'i' in Gardiner and added the maiden name of his grandmother. Therefore, the family name has now become Gardner McTaggart. These Adams family entries have been updated with information provided by Dr Herbert Gardner McTaggart, great-grandson of George Henry Somerset in April 2016. Mr McTaggart contacted the society after finding our entries online.A hand sewn cream, pale blue, orange and gold embroidered satin formal dress, the bodice dates from circa 1840. This dress shares a skirt with T0004.2, which dates from a different period (circa 1890). The bodice features a wide shallow neckline finished with a beige coloured cord in two decorative lines. The sleeve is set on the true shoulder and is a short fitted sleeve with decorative gathering and two lines of corded detail. The bodice is shaped to the body with 2 sets of six fine knife pleats diagonally positioned narrower over the waist and spreading out over the bust. These pleats are secured with six double lines of stitching. The bodice finishes high on the waistline at either side and points down to a point over the centre front. The base of the bodice is finished with a piped edge and beige decorative cording. The bodice encloses the body at the centre back where it has holes that presumably would have held lacing. The back features four diagonal knife pleats finishing at the centre back and splaying out over the shoulders. The waistline at the back features only a very gentle point.cecilia elizabeth adams, elizabeth emma adams, james smith adams, elizabeth emma mctaggart, sophia charlotte louisa adams, queen victoria, drawing room ball, 1840s fashion, tower house, woodchester

Worn by Elizabeth Goodwin of Liverpool, England, who married Horace Book at St Andrew's Church, Brighton in 1921. The fabric was purchased by her father, a ship's captain, when he was in China. The bride had her dress made in Liverpool and made to a Butterick's pattern. Elizabeth was very active in public life and a well-known member of the Book family. Wedding dress made from cream silk purchased in China. The bodice is made of fine silk embroidered tulle with a vest of cream silk that floats over the top. The skirt has been permanently pleated, has has floating side panels of tulle and features a large butterfly-shaped bow at the back.wedding dress, silk, 1920s, elizabeth goodwin, horace book, st andrew's church brighton, brighton