Historical information

The Ovens District Hospital was established in 1856 as the only hospital operating between Melbourne and Goulburn. The Hospital originally had a capacity of 20 and serviced the nearby goldfields and the wider north-east Victoria. Treatment was equal between patients of all social classes and often treated those who were unable to afford a doctor’s consultation.

Work to expand the Hospital finished in 1858 which doubled the capacity. Further expansions were built in 1861, 1871, and a Chinese ward was added in 1883, and an isolation ward in 1890. Between 1862 - 1863 the original three wards were united by a classically inspired facade which is now the only remaining structure following the decommissioning of the Ovens District Hospital and its subsequent demolition in 1940.

Significance

The stereogram is significant due to it’s depiction of historical buildings in Beechworth and the documentation of healthcare in Victoria.

Physical description

Two sepia square photographs printed on photographic paper and mounted on card

Inscriptions & markings

Reverse:
Little [...] /
at Oven District /
Hospital /
Beechworth /
1997.2654 /
A02654