Mary Blackwood House

Mary Blackwood House (formerly Berwick Boys Grammar School), comprising the house designed by Beasley & Little and constructed c.1877 with Federation era extensions, the former Grammar School dormitories and an interward bungalow, at 76-78 Brisbane Street, Berwick (formerly known as 76-80 Brisbane Street, Berwick).

Mary Blackwood House (formerly Berwick Boys Grammar School) is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to the City of Casey.

Historically, Mary Blackwood House, is significant as the former Berwick Boys Grammar School, which was operated by Dr. Edward Antonio Lloyd Vieusseux between 1882-1915, one of two private schools favoured by more affluent local families. It exemplifies Berwick's role as a major service centre for this prosperous agricultural and dairying district. The building also has important associations with its first owner, Miss Adelaide Robinson, member of a well-known local family, and with the schoolmaster, Dr. Edward Antonio Lloyd Vieusseux, who was associated with the school from its inception until his death in 1918. The former school also has historical associations with the oak Avenue of Honour opposite, this commemorates ex-students who died during the Great War. (AHC A4, D2, and H1)

Socially, Mary Blackwood House is significant for its associations with the local community as one of the earliest schools in Berwick. (AHC criterion G1)

Aesthetically, the c.1877 house has architectural importance as one of two known Berwick examples of the work of the firm Beasley & Little, who in 1891 also designed Inveresk in High Street for draper, George Brown, which is more intact than this house. (AHC criterion E1)