The diorama of mounted specimens of seaweed was framed by Richard Foster Norton for Thomas Watson and is dated 1860. Watson was the Warrnambool District Surveyor at the time (1860). The inscription on the back of the frame links the artwork to the Pigeon Hill property, which was located on Allansford Road (corner of Staffords Road – north side of the Princes Highway-A1). In the 1860s, the property known as Pigeon Hill was owned by William Wall who was a publican who ran several hotels in Warrnambool and district. In 1860 Wall, was running a hotel in Wangoom, near Pigeon Hill. Further research is required to determine the exact location, but Pigeon Hill could also have been the name for that area and may have had other people living there. Thomas Watson was a member of the local horticultural society. Another possible creator of the artwork is Samuel Hannaford, a biologist with a particular interest in collecting marine flora. Hannaford left Warrnambool in 1857 and went to Geelong, so it is possible he collected the specimens had them framed in Geelong, and then arranged for their return to Watson. The other known seaweed collector was Henry Watts, who lived in Warrnambool in the mid-19th century. The seaweed collection in this box was possibly one of Watts' and could have been prepared for the Victorian Exhibition of 1861, Richard Foster Norton, also known as R.F Norton, was one of only a handful of picture framers in 1850s Melbourne. Norton was born on the 24th of July 1822 in Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire and prior to his arrival in Australia, Norton is listed in England as having the occupation of a painter. It appears that he established his business in Melbourne in 1854 or 1855. Between 1855 and 1865 he operated from 87, then 83, and later 80 Collins Street. In the Argus newspaper, Norton advertised his business as a Print seller, Carver, Gilder and Picture Frame manufacturer, supplying the growing demand for artworks and decorative furnishings in the colony during the Gold Rush. Norton also had a Geelong branch in Market Square, where this work was produced. This framed work is highly significant. Previous research has found that only six frames are in existence that can be attributed to be made Norton, dating from the late 1850’s to the mid 1860’s. Moreover, Thomas Watson the owner of the artwork, is one of the government surveyors of the region during the mid-19th century.Diorama in deep wooden frame, behind glass. Seaweed specimens have been mounted within the frame. The back of the frame has handwritten inscriptions including the framer's label (portions missing). The diorama was framed by Richard Fraser Norton. Printed label; "RICHARD FOS --- Picture Framer and -- MANUF -- CARVER, GILDER, ---- PAINTINGS CLEANED, LINED AND --- GLASSES RESILVERED, FRAMES --- Architectual Decorations created to any design in Paper Mache, Carlton Pierre, or Composition, Country Orders promptly attended to, The Order Suppl ---, BRANCH ESTABLISHMENT, MARKET SQUARE, GEELONG" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, richard foster norton, r.f norton, picture framers, melbourne, geelong, artwork and decorative furnishings, gold rush, seaweed, botanical specimens, 1860, pigeon hill, district surveyor, thomas watson, william wall, wangoom, samuel hannaford, henry watts, victorian exhibition, 1861, yelvertoft, northamptonshire, market square