Former Protestant Orphanage Asylym

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE - GRC Historic Places Document Sheet No 129

The Protestant Orphanage Asylum was erected in 1855 to the design of noted Geelong architect Andrew McWilliams. The north wing was added in 1857. the Common Schol was erected in 1865, J. L. Shaw being the architect. Both buildings, constructed of basalt with freestone dressing are designed in a chaste picturesque Gothic mode. The former Geelong Orphanage Asylum and adjacent Common School are structures of great social, historical and architectural significance to the Geelong Community and notable works of local architects McWilliams and Shaw respectively.

RECOMMENDATIONS: PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Geelong Regional Commission Register.

Australian Heritage Commission Register of the National Estate

Historic Buildings Council Register

REFERENCES - GRC Historic Places Document Sheet

Geelong Advertiser - 1st July, 1854 - Architectural competition ₤50 premium.

21st October, 1854 - Tenders for Orphan Asylum, Andrew McWilliams architect.

12th March, 1855 - Foundation stone to be laid 14th march.

20th March, 1855 - tenders for carpenters work

18th April, 1855 - Tenders various trades.

8th August, 1856 - Tenders for bluestone kitchen - Andrew McWilliams, architect.

15th December, 1857 - Tenders for North Wing.

11th July, 1860 - Tenders dining hall.

17th December, 1865 - Tenders for Common School (and March 1865) J. L. Shaw architect.

27th September, 1873 - Tenders for playrooms in brick and stone (attributed to Davidson and Henderson)

1879-1885 - Various tenders for repairs/minor works by Joseph Watts, architect.

National Trust of Australia (Victoria), File No 1191.

Notes on 'Herne Hill Buildings' - P. l. Brown, June 1975.

Huddle, Lorraine - 'Architect in Geelong in 1840's and 1850's' Humanities Research Essay Department of Architecture, University of Melbourne 1979, Vol. 1, pp 79-84.

Group

Education

Category

School - State (public)