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

This architectural 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 14 Goldthorns Avenue, Kew by Margaret Picken.14 GOLDTHORNS AVE., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '93 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 14 goldthorns avenue -- kew (vic.)

This architectural 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 15 Goldthorns Avenue, Kew by Margaret Picken.15 GOLDTHORNS AVE., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '96 / WOODARDS ~ HAWTHORNartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 15 goldthorns avenue -- kew (vic.)

This architectural 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 16 Goldthorns Avenue, Kew by Margaret Picken.16 GOLDTHORNS AVE., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN 2000 / WOODARDS ~artist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 16 goldthorns avenue -- kew (vic.)

This architectural 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 24 Goldthorns Avenue, Kew by Margaret Picken.24 GOLDTHORNS AVE., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '94 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 24 goldthorns avenue -- kew (vic.)

Rare real estate brochure relating to the sale of a historically significant Kew mansion. The rarity the document is increased due to the photographs of the front of the house and of the extensive rear garden.Four page flyer advertising the sale of Goldthorns in Normanby Road, Kew in October 1931. The flyer contains a photograph of the front of the house, a list of its rooms, a site plan (including possible subdivisions). and a photo of the rear garden.goldthorns - normanby road, kew (vic), real estate - kew (vic), griffith family - kew (vic), gardens - kew (vic), subdivisions - kew (vic)

"Infant Department The interest in this branch of the school work (under the able guidance of Misses F. Chapman and A.E. Ratten) is well maintained. It is largely through the generosity of Nr. and Mrs. Griffiths that the officers were enabled to have a new brick school hall built. The foundation stone was laid on 21st October, 1905, by Mrs. John M. Griffiths, the new building being erected on the site of the old church. It is both attractive and comfortable and is well lighted. It is also used for the week-night services. The old building which for so long had served as a schoolroom for the little ones was not considered suitable and was in 1905 disposed of for removal. When removed it was renovated, and is now used as a mission church in a neighbouring district." Source: Kew Baptist Church History 1856-1906The trowel is historically significant for its association with the Kew Baptist Church and its ownership by and association with the Griffiths family of Kew who were important tea merchants in Australia.Silver-plated commemorative trowel with bone handle, in black leather case lined with blue velvet. The trowel is engraved with information about the occasion.It was presented to Mrs J.M. Griffiths, who lived at Goldthorns, Normanby Road, Kew. [The trowel in its case was presented to the Kew Historical Society on 24 April 2018 by the Manager of Bupa Aged Care, Edithvale.]Engraved front: "Presented to Mrs. J.M. Griffiths on the occasion of her laying the foundation stone of the Baptist School Hall, Kew, Oct 21st 1905". Maker mark on reverse: "PA & S E P"griffiths family - kew (vic), mrs. j.m. griffiths, commemorative objects, baptist church (kew), presentation trowels