Historical information

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying

Significance

They are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day.
This postcard shows the ornamental lake, completed 1904, with its surrounding Guilfoyle influenced rockery, planted with original succulents and palms

Physical description

Black and white postcard titled “Williamston Gardens”. Ornamental lake surrounded by palms, with trees in the background and boarded with stone slabs. There is a small island in the middle of the image surrounded by water lilies.

Inscriptions & markings

Inscribed on the reverse: ‘POST CARD.’ centre top underlined by two wriggly lines, the bottom one is scrolled at either end / ADRESS ONLY’ top right side of card / ‘PRODUCED IN AUSTRALIA’ vertically on left side of card