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Seymour Army Hut

Other Name

Mechanics Institute Pioneer Library and Former Army Huts

Location

Tallarook Street, SEYMOUR VIC 3660

File Number

Original Hermes No: 110153

Level

Statement of Significance

br> The history and description that precedes this Statement of Cultural Significance is the source of the evidence for the statement below.
The Seymour Old Town Precinct is an area that has been affected by every stage of the development of the town from interaction with the Taungurung people by the early European settlers to the most recent development. It provides important examples of many of the themes identified in the Environmental History including: exploration and settlement; adapting to diverse environment; infrastructure of original town; river crossings; accommodation and services for travellers; public services, as well as cultural and social life. Overall, the most important themes represented in the existing physical fabric are those from the Victorian period 1839 to 1900 and to a lesser extent, the early part of the twentieth century.

The Seymour Old Town Precinct is historically significant at the LOCAL level (AHC criteria A.4).
The collection of the primarily 19th century public, commercial, religious and domestic buildings demonstrate the establishment of Seymour's original centre at the New Crossing Place, and its importance as Seymour's town centre prior to the coming of the railway and the establishment of an alternative commercial centre next to the railway station on higher ground less liable to flooding. The hotels testify to the importance of the old Seymour centre as a service point for travellers between Melbourne and Northern and North-eastern Victoria and New South Wales. The proximity of the centre to the river and riparian river re gum woodland is not only important to understanding the reason for its existence but also to its demise as the retail centre for the town which was partly due to its flood prone location. The whole area including that area north of the river covers part of the early settlement and may be significant for archaeological remains of the Seymour Hotel and other structures dating back to before 1855.

The precinct is aesthetically significant at the LOCAL level (AHC Criterion E.1).
The historic buildings, all single or two storey in height, provide an important view of authentic historic architecture and fabric in their historic urban design setting, some with mature exotic trees. The Slot views from Edwards Street to the historic buildings and woodland beyond and the views of the mature exotic trees from Ballendella Place are important.
The historic buildings visually connected to the five way intersection, in Emily Street Tallarook and High Streets, form a relatively compact grouping from which it is possible to sense the visual character of the 19 century town centre. Views to riverside bush down Manners Street and Robert Street and the visual incursion of that woodland into the parkland at Robert Street reinforce the northern edge of the country town. Further, these trees provide an important aesthetic and historic setting for the historic structures in this precinct.
The swail drains formed along the graded roads and those with asphalt down the centre of the road reserve, provide an important visual setting for the historic character of this precinct.

The precinct is scientifically significant at the STATE level (Heritage Victoria Criterion C The place or object's potential to educate, illustrate or provide further scientific investigation in relation to Victoria's cultural heritage ). The whole area is important as it covers the scene of early European interaction with the Taungurung people and is one of the earliest and most important crossing places along the route from Sydney to Melbourne. However, those sites that relate to the sites marked on the early maps are of most interest. These include the original tracks, ford, punts, hotels, houses, churches, graveyard and shops and their surrounding land.

Overall, the Seymour Old Town precinct is culturally significant at the LOCAL level.
Sourced by Lorraine Huddle P/L 2006

Group

Community Facilities