Historical information

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.

Significance

The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.

Physical description

Harp of Erin (c.1864-1956). Strategically situated on Bulleen Road (High Street) in East Kew, the ‘Harp of Erin’ was built on the corner of Harp Road and High Street. The present hotel is the third to be built on the site. A second, two storey brick and stucco hotel built c.1864 replaced an earlier wooden structure built in 1854 by Edward Glynn. The ‘Harp’ was a local landmark, used by the Melbourne Hunt Club for their meetings. The Club had their kennels behind the hotel, and at meets, red-coated riders might be seen assembling from all directions. The later building was constructed in 1956.

Inscriptions & markings

"Harp of Erin Hotel. Has been altered several times. First built by Edw. Glynn 1851. Not the first which was built in 1854."