Historical information

The French Collection was donated to the Society in 2022. This collection includes documents, artworks, books, costumes and artefacts belonging to two families. A number belonged to, or were made by the grandparents of the donor: Vera May Wing and her husband Hubert Charles McDonald. [Other items belonging to Vera and Hubert are in the collections of the Australian Performing Arts Museum and Museum Victoria.] A second significant group of objects were gifts made to the donor's family by Lucy (Jean) Hornby of Queen Street, Kew whose family had been early settlers in the district.

Physical description

Meerschaum pipe, with fitted brown leather case. The stem of the pipe is shaped like an arm with a carved hand supporting the bowl. The pipe is believed to belong to Joseph Wing (1812-95) or John Wing (1841-1914). The pipe has been passed down through the Wing, McDonald and French families.