The Children of Research State School in 1922 Photo and list of children provided by Ivy Reynolds to Ross McDonald. Ross has supplemented and filled in some blanks, from the children names in Andrew Lemons book 'Return to Research. A centenary of Research Primary School, 1989 ' page 103. Additional commentary provided by Ivy Reynolds in 2006. 1. Winnie La Frenz - a great friend of the Reynolds 2. Ruth Thompson - Wally Buttwell's niece 3. Bertha Wiltshire 4. Ivy Dickson (who grew up to be a good-looking woman) 5. May Norman - a cousin to the Reynolds through Ernest Reynolds 6. Elsie Shaw 7. Veenie Turner (Ivy was not 100% sure of her surname, but said she was not related to Hazel Turner) 8 Lil La Frenz (Lilian) - a bright spark and a lively tennis player 9 Lily Wilson (looks like a boy) - had red hair 10 Hazel Turner - a cousin of the Reynolds who lost her mother very early in life. Her father remarried and the family then became Roman Catholics, which in those days, caused them to become distant with the Anglican Reynolds family 11 Lila Dickson (Lyla) 12. Jack Wilson - a red-head like his sister 13. Len Blashick 14. Marjory Palmer 15 ? Burgoyne 16 Lance Doney and 17 Bill Doney. Cleaver boys who went to Ivanhoe Grammar. Both caught TB from their mother and died young. 17. Bill Doney - The Doneys were clever boys. They went to Ivanhoe Grammar after Research Primary and this educational advantage caused them to grow apart from the local boys. Both caught tuberculosis from their mother and didn't live long. Lance died first, but Bill survived long enough to join the Merchant Navy. He eventually entered the Mont Park Sanatorium where Ernest Reynolds used to visit him every Sunday. The Doney boys were keen on Margaret and Ivy Reynolds at one stage (probably before they became seriously ill) and Bill gave Ivy a macrame belt he'd made. 18 ? Burgoyne 19 ? Messen (Frank or Alex Masson) 20 Neville West 21 ? Shaw 22 ? Shaw 23 Neil Palmer 24 George Shaw or his brother Bertie 25 George Shaw or his brother Bertie 26 Eva Kilson 27 Lorna Turner 28 ? Henry Fox (or possibly Eric?) 29 Nancy Storey (adopted) 30 Mona Fox 31. Nell Storey (also adopted) She married Sam Howard and they had 2 daughters. One went to Queensland, the other lived locally and helped at the Research Anglican Church. 32 Victor Davey 33 Margaret Reynolds 34 Ethel Davey - cousin of the Reynolds through Ernest Reynolds 35 ? Randall (Freddie) 36 ? Randall (Kitty) -Their father was a builder who made toys for every child at the school one Christmas 37 Ronnie Turner 38 ? Ivy couldn't remember his name, but thought he lived at the Research Hotel 39 John Reynolds 40 Jim Davey 41 Unknown 42 Ivy Reynolds 43. Unknown - one of the unknown boys is Jimmy Storey 44. Unknown 45. Unknown 46. Dorothy La Frenz 47. Eric Fox 48. Unknown 49. Possibly Bert Shaw One of the boys in the photograph is Jimmy Storey The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage. Black and white photograph mounted in an album, the Reynolds/Prior Photograph Collection, this being one of 53 reproduced black and white images of early Eltham.The Reynolds/Prior Photograph Collection, Presented to the Eltham District Historical Society, 14 June 2006 by Ross McDonald. A second copy was also presented to the Andrew Ross Museum, Kangaroo Groundreynolds prior collection, research (vic.), research school, schools, school children, state school no. 2959, winnie la frenz, ruth thompson, bertha wilshire, ivy dickson, may norman, elsie shaw, veenie, lil la frenz (lilian), lily wilson, hazel turner, lila dickson (lyla), jack wilson, len blashick, margery palmer, burgoyne, lance doney, bill doney, frank messen, alex masson, neville west, shaw, neil palmer, george shaw, bertie shaw, eva kilson, lorna turner, henry fox, eric fox, nancy storey, mona fox, nell storey, victor davey, margaret reynolds, ethel davey, freddie randall, kitty randall, ronnie turner, john reynolds, jim davey, ivy reynolds, dorothy la frenz, bert shaw, jimmy storey

This sewing machine was bought by Alex Craig's dad in 1942 for his wife whom he married in 1943. Alex's grandmother used it in 1942. It still works (2013).Historical: Type of sewing machine used by S.E.C.V. wives living in Mt Beauty during the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. Ladies made the family's clothes and sewed for the Annual Church and School fetes. eg. children's clothes and dolls' clothes. They bought dozens of dolls and made 'fairy' dresses for them using coloured netting.Singer sewing machine - brown wood lid & base. Handle on top of inside of lid as is the wooden bench that clips on to the side of the machine and also the steel knee lever that fits into the front of the machine. Black steel machine with silver fittings. Brown and white electric cord plugged in. "Singer" on front centre of lid. On machine - "Singer" above light. "The Singer manufacturing Co. / Manufactured in Great Britain" top of machine. "Singer" on front side of machine. Front - Gold plate - "The Singer Manfg. Co. / Trade Mark." Decoration on machine base and silver end.singer manufacturing co.. sewing. fetes. clothes. domestic.

This sewing machine was bought by Alex Craig's dad in 1942 for his wife whom he married in 1943. Alex's grandmother used it in 1942 to make button holes.Historical: Type of machine used by S.E.C.V. wives living in Mt Beauty in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. Ladies made the family's clothes and sewed for the Annual Church and chook fetes e.g.. children's clothes and dolls clothes. They bought dozens of dolls and made 'fairy' dresses for them using coloured netting.Green & white box containing black & silver metal with 4 parts for attaching to Singer sewing machine for sewing button holes."Singer Buttonhole Attachment" on green 'cloud' top of box. "The Singer manufacturing Company" on green 'cloud' on side of box. "For Light Manufacturing and Home Use" on green 'cloud' on side of box. "Made in Great Britain" on white top half of end of box & teen 'cloud' below end of box is "Singer / Buttonhole Attachment / No. 86662 / For Singer Lock Stitch/ Family Sewing Machines.singer manufacturing co.. clothes. fetes. domestic. sewing.

Roper's Hut belonged to the Roper family who brought their cattle up onto the Bogong High Plains during summer. Their hut was visited and used by skiers and walkers. The log books kept a record of their visits over the years.The log books gave an insight into the activities of visitors, the weather, the frequency, etc. The case was a safe place for storage of these books.Light brown vinyl case with zip fastener around three sides and partly at the back on each side. There is a separate pocket at the top with a zip fastener. There is a flap to fasten the case across the centre top and a leather handle. The zip around the case has a silver fastener with a small key hole.The inside is mostly black and has two vinyl straps that fasten to hold the contents in place and there is an open pocket inside.roper's hut case, roper's hut log book, cattlemen's hut

Flies are plentiful and a problem especially in Australia's summer. Farms were a breeding ground for flies that bred in cow manure. Fly-wire was used to keep flies away from food as well as light cloth covers. Farmers could use this sieve to fill with sand etc. to sort the sizes and also to use for eg. wheat to sort the grain. Yabbies are trapped in the creek or river by leaving food in the net for the yabby to crawl into.Food covers were used by residents of the Kiewa Valley especially as many of them were dairy farmers. Farmers often made their own tools for a purpose such as sieving or for the family catching yabbies to eat or for fun.Tall triangular steel fly wire cover with a steel handle and frame. or The frame can be held in order to fill the sieve or to empty it. or the frame can hold bait for yabbiesfood cover, fly-wire, flies, sieve, handmade tool

The Yackandandah and District Historical Society decided to write up a history of the school which had begun as a Church of England School from 1855 to 1872 before the commencement of the current primary school. The early history of the school is relevant to the Kiewa Valley as it was the closest school at the time.and existed before "Education is to be secular, compulsory until the age of 15, free in basic subjects" The Roper family pages 22, 29, 30 Small booklet with 39 pages held by two staples. The cardboard cover is light green with the dates in dark green and the title and authors in red. No pictures. No contents or index.'C. Roper' written in blue ink on the front cover.yackandandah school, education

This book follows on from the revised edition of "First Two Years Geometry" and contains all the geometry for the intermediate certificate and trigonmetry included in the syllabus during the mid 20th century. This would have been used by students of the Kiewa Valley.This book show us the type of maths that was taught in Victorian schools in the mid 20th century. Students from Mt Beauty Elementary High School would have used this book. Therfore has historical and research significance. The book has the name G Davies, which is a local family and therefore has social significance. As this is part of our school book collection it has good interptive capacityThe book has a brown cover with light brown striped pattern along the edge of the front cover. Black writing on front for name and light brown writing stating author and publisher. Has a light brown gemonetry pattern on front cover and logo of printer on each corner.Name of G Davies Form 111 in red pen on inside page.book, school, geometry, educational, math, mt-beauty-elementary, wilma davies

This is a form 2 or year 8 English book used for reading. This book would have been used in all schools over Victoria. It consists of assorted stories and poems. It has 260 pagesThis has social and historical significance as it shows what students of the Kiewa Valley in the 1940's were reading in form 2 or in todays year 8. It was donated by the Davies family from Tawonga, and therefore has good interpretive capacity as it is part of a set of readers for primary and high school students. It is also good for research as a comparative tool to see what students learn now compaired to the 1940'sThe book as a light brown material cover with black writing in front cover and spine. There is a logo of the Victorian Education Department on the front cover. Also in writing "Second Edition" at bottom of front cover. The name G Davies Form 11a is on first inside page.book, school, english, secondary, department-of-education 1940

John Newnham embarked from Melbourne 10/5/1915 and returned on 21/5/1917. William left Melbourne on 25/2/1915 and returned on 3/7/1919. Sister Ada Newnham served with the Australian Army Nursing Service.WW1 letters and cards (approx. 100) sent to family by John Newnham (682 - 24th Battalion, C Company) and William Newnham (430 - 8th Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron) - letters mostly written by William. ww1, letters, 24 battalion, 8 light horse regiment, william james newnham, john edward newnham

View looking south along the main road from Research to Eltham Part of a presentation, "Roads and Byways of the Shire of Eltham", by Russell Yeoman to the 12 September 1990 Society meeting. Slides shown inclyuded copies of old photos and recent images ranging from the suburban streets of Eltham and Montmorency to the mountain roads of Kinglake. In the byways category are views of some iof the Shire's bicycle paths including then recently completed sections of the Main Yarra Trail at Lower Plenty.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years. The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage.Digital image (Neg missing)shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, research (vic.), reynolds prior collection

Election Day, Legislative Council Elections, Tuesday, 4 June 1907, Maria Street (Main Road), Eltham. Group of men standing outside George Knapman’s forge on Election Day (4 June 1907) for the Legislative Council. Voting was conducted in the Eltham Courthouse next door, visible behind the forge. At that time women did not have the right to vote; two women wait on the horse and buggy and two others are looking on from the verandah of the house next door. A dog also sits patiently on the road. The Police Station and residence are just visible on the corner of Brougham Street. Reproduced on p62 of 'Pioneers & Painters' Cross Ref: 0629This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years. The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, knapman's forge, election day, elections, eltham courthouse, forge, george knapman, knapmans forge, maria street, pioneers and painters, reynolds prior collection, court house, courthouse, g. knapman, sepp

Election Day, Legislative Council Elections, Tuesday, 4 June 1907, Maria Street (Main Road), Eltham. Group of men standing outside George Knapman’s forge on Election Day (4 June 1907) for the Legislative Council. Voting was conducted in the Eltham Courthouse next door, to the right of photo. At that time women did not have the right to vote. At the far left can be see William B. Andrew’s Corn Store on the corner of Franklin Street. The weatherboard house in between at one stage the home of Miss George.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years. The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negelection day, elections, eltham, eltham courthouse, forge, george knapman, knapmans forge, main road, maria street, miss george, reynolds prior collection, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, w.b. andrew corn store

Situated near the top of what was known as 'Policeman's Hill' according to Miss Ivy Reynolds, neice of the photographer, Tom Prior. From the left, Eltham Court House, Police Residence and Police station on Main Road and corner of Brougham Street. These buildings formed part of Little Eltham and still stand (without the front fence) today though the Police Station was demolished in 1986 due to termite damage. A replica was built circa 1989. The institutions of law and order in Colonial Victoria included the police, courts and prisons. The 1852 report of the Snodgrass Select Committee appointed to "identify the policing needs of the colony” noted there existed seven independent police forces that did not co-operate or regularly communicate. Following the committee's report all these police entities were merged into the Victoria Police, founded on 8 January 1853, to implement law and order responsibilities throughout the Colony of Victoria. The Eltham Courthouse (1860) and adjacent Police Residence (1859) formed a justice precinct established in the immediate aftermath of the 1852 police inquiry and the effects of the gold rush. The physical presence of these buildings, in the centre of the early Eltham township, defined centralised control over law and order. In the early days the Police Constable in charge would conduct his duties travelling around the district by horse; a stable was located at the rear of the residence. At times the horse would be grazed on the paddocks across the road. Horseshoes were forged by the blacksmith beside the Courthouse on the high side of “Policeman’s Hill”. Along with the stable, there was a two-cell bluestone lockup where prisoners were held awaiting trial in the adjacent Courthouse. Their meals were usually provided by the policeman’s wife or from the hotel just up the road. With the arrival of the railway in 1902 the town centre gradually shifted towards the railway station. The Police Station and operations were moved into the town centre in 1961 to a renovated house in Pryor Street, which was later replaced by the current Police Station. From 1961-1981 the residence was occupied by the Vermin and Noxious Weeds Destruction Section of the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. Prior to August 1967 the former Police Station was dragged to the rear of Police Residence to make way for the construction of a driveway and access from Main Road. The building was placed on the site of a former Scullery and modified for Lands Department use. In 1981 the Shire of Eltham took over management of the former Police Residence in Eltham. It remained unoccupied for a period whilst its future was discussed in Council. It was then used for a community job creation scheme until 1985. In 1985 the Shire of Eltham Parks and Environment occupied the residence. Council improved the driveway but later added a second rear access from Brougham Street due to the dangerous nature of the Main Road entrance. Additionally, a rear toilet facility between the Police Residence and the relocated former Police Station, which was doubling up as a lunchroom. Council also commenced discussions to re-establish a replica Police Station. Around November 1986 the former Police Station was demolished; believed to have been suffering termite damage. About 1989, after some years of discussion, a replica Police Station was built, based on photographs, to act as a lunchroom and meeting room for the Parks and Environment staff and volunteers doing community service. In 1996 Eltham District Historical Society held discussions with Nillumbik Shire Council commissioners throughout the year regarding a home for the Society. A proposal was put forward by the Society in October to occupy the former Police Residence. In March 1997 Eltham District Historical Society gained access to former Police Residence and on July 12, 1998, moved into its Local History Centre. In July 2018, Eltham District Historical Society gained access to the replica Police Station (which had been used as a music library and storage for the Eltham Concert Band) for use as part of regular heritage tours for schools and community-based groups.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years. The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage.Digital imagechildren, court house, courthouse, eltham, eltham district historical society, eltham justice precinct, little eltham, local history centre, main road, police residence, police station, reynolds prior collection, sepp, shadow, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection

This is thefirst edition of "Personalities and Stories of Early Orbost which was collected and compiled by Mary Isabelle Gilbert. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert, and had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. .She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community. This book is a collection of stories as told and writtenabout Orbost in early times. This is a useful research and reference tool on the early history of the Orbost district.A 130 pp light grey covered book, titled "Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District." The title is in black print inside a black rectangular frame.gilbert-mary orbost-history recollections-orbost

This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in early settler families.Hand tapestry pattern for a pair of slippers. on canvas and ready to be cut out. Floral design on crimson background. Light purple canvas.tapestry canvas handcrafts slipper-pattern

Used by the Light Horse Brigade in WW1. Donated by the family of Fred Christmas.This WW1 item is a reminder of those who took part in that conflict.A pair of dark brown horse leggings. Straps run around outside to a buckle. They are 'Light Horse Brigade" leggings from World War 1.horse-leggings transport ww1 light-horse-brigade

This book is the 1835 second edition of John Harrison Curtis' 1833 'A Treatise on the Physiology and Diseases of the Eye, containing a new mode of curing cataract without an operation, experiments and observations on vision, also on the inflection, reflection and colours of light together with remarks on the preservation of sight, and on spectacles, reading glasses etc'. The title page describes J H Curtis (1778-1860) as an oculist and also as an expert on the ear. His knowledge of eye pathology and surgery was poor but this was typical of the medical profession until the middle of the 19th century. He was 'aurist in ordinary' to His Majesty and other members of the royal family and his hospital and teaching appointments had more to do with the ear rather than the eye. The last pages of the book list his other publications most of which concern the ear and the deaf. He was the first person, in 1803, to apply speaking tubes to assist the deaf. He established the Royal Ear Hospital in Soho, UK in 1816.This book is of historic significance as it shows contemporary understanding of ocular pathology in the early nineteenth century. It is quite rare as no other copies of the second edition are known in Australia.'A Treatise on the Physiology and the Diseases of the Eye' by J H Curtis is book of 1835 bound in its original boards, in very good condition, 230 x 140 mm, 242 pages, second edition. There is a coloured plate facing the title page with three figures featuring an ingenious lift up section of a woman's face to show the blood vessels and nerves underneath. There is a philosophical introduction, a chapter on ocular anatomy, two chapters on diseases and their treatment, one on the nature of light and one on the preservation of vision. Cataract is treated by withdrawal of blood from behind the ear and the application of an ointment to an induced blister on the neck, with potash applied to the cornea daily.optics, ocular anatomy, ocular disease, physiology, cataract

Possibly belonged to the Locke family.These items are fine examples of crochet work of the 20th century. A round floral cloth doily holder stiffened with light wood or cardboard - 1771.1 .It contains two crocheted bottle covers. 1771.2 is ecru coloured and has a tie, 1771.3 is white and is fringed. 1771.4 is a white, crocheted bookmark with threaded blue ribbon. There are six circular doilies, all crocheted. doilies crochet table-linen

This ticket was for an entertainment at Brodribb for the celebration of the incoming bi-centennial year, 1988. The bicentenary of Australia was celebrated in 1988. It marked 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet of British convict ships at Sydney in 1788. Many events were organised to celebrate the occasion.The Apex Club of Orbost was a volunteer service club which contributed to the Orbost community. A declining population has led to the demise of many social groups in the area. The Apex Club, like other groups in Orbost have organised social events for the local community for many years.A rectangular shaped cardboard ticket coloured white/cream. On the front in brown print is " APEX 'Up the Broddy' new Year's Eve - '87/88 WElcome in the Bi-Centennial Year BYO barbecue and drinks. 50/50 dancing - prizes and games. Light supper provided. Entertainment for all the family. $10 per family/couple". In red is 000052.celebration bicentennial-celebration-orbost

In the high tech, fast paced society that we live in, it’s easy to take some things for granted. Case in point: the wood cutting board on which you’ll probably be preparing the evening’s dinner. Have you ever taken the time to think about the history of the cutting board? Where did it come from, and what did ancient civilizations use to cut their meats, fruits and vegetables? Wood throughout the ages Since the dawn of time, wood has been one of the most available materials used by mankind to build tools and lodgings, so it’s not really surprising to know that wood has been used in the preparation of food since the prehistoric ages. Of course, back then, cavemen probably used an unpolished slab of tree trunk to cut the kill of the day on and they probably didn’t think twice about saving it once the meal was over. Chances are they probably threw it in the fire with the rest of the wood needed to kindle it. Advances in technology Throughout the centuries, mankind evolved and started creating machines from steam, electricity and metal. When the circular saw was invented, nicer, cleaner slabs of wood were cut and used as cutting boards. Since soft wood was the most available type of wood at the time, it was the material of choice for to be used for cutting boards. Boards were made smaller since the slab of wood could now be cut to any desired size. Since they were made smaller, they were also used to eat off of and some people referred to them as trenchers. Trenchers were originally pieces of stale hard bread that were used as substitute plates. Wood trenchers quickly became the replacements of the eatable dinnerware. The butcher block: the cutting board’s larger cousin In the industrial ages, many industries rapidly developed, and the butchery industry followed this trend as well. Before the invention of the cutting board, butchers used tree rounds to carve their meat on. The rounds were often too soft and they rapidly became unsanitary. Hard maple wood butcher blocks were the preferred choice of the industry. They were made to be extremely thick and durable, so durable in fact, that a butcher could use the same block for almost his entire career. Cutting boards around the world As cutting boards began to be more and more used in kitchens around North America, the rest of the world crafted such boards from different materials. The East used thick bamboo as their material of choice. Despite its frail appearance, bamboo is quite strong and made durable cutting boards and butcher blocks. Europe used maple in the crafting of their cutting boards while Persia used flat pieces of polished wood in their kitchens. The world then saw cutting boards that were being made from other materials like plastic and they came in all shapes and sizes, but they always served the same purpose, to provide a household with a safe, clean surface on which to prepare meals for their friends and family members. https://www.woodcuttingboards.com/news/quick-history-of-the-cutting-board-47.aspxThe bread board is an example of kitchen equipment used during Victorian times and similar to those used today.Bread board. Wooden, octagonal, plain sanded light wood. Has decoration around edge and indented circular line to delineate round cutting board section.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, bread board, cutting board, pastry board, kitchen utensil, kitchen equipment, baking equipment, food preparation