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House - Beechworth Historic Area

Location 9 Williams Street,, BEECHWORTH VIC 3747 - Property No B387 File Number B0387 Level State

[1/1] B0387 9 William St Beechworth

Statement of Significance

The residence was erected c. 1864. In 1866 the premises were owned by J Tilsey and were probably used as a boarding house. They were described as a 37 feet x 18 feet two storey brick structure with granite dressings, shingle roof and balcony and balustrade to the upper floor. Rear buildings are comprised ofa 25 feet x 13 feet 6 inches two storey brick structure and several timber outbuildings. The present residence corresponds to this early description.
This is one of the largest nineteenth century surviving residences in Beechworth. The composition and details are typical of provincial residential design. The granite quoinwork and french doors opening onto the balcony and verandah are distinctive features. The house is an essential element of this important historic town. Recent renovations to the facade have spoilt the original appearance.
There have been considerable alterations to the facade of the house; these alterations include a new two storey verandah, and a new front fence and garden layout. It appears that the facade was not originally rendered.
Classified: 'Local' 21/05/1959
Revised: 03/08/1998

Historic area Statement of significance: Beechworth is a picturesque nineteenth Century provincial town. It is a well preserved example of Government and private building which resulted from the town's important historical role as the administrative and commercial centre of Victoria's north-eastern goldfields. Beechworth was once significant for its position on an early overland route from Melbourne to Sydney.
The town is located sympathetically to the topography, in an area of considerable landscape interest. Set amidst forested undulating country there remain many relics of the mining era in and about Beechworh. It is a rich field for the industrial archaeology.
There are within the town a large number of historical and architecturally significant buildings. These display a quality of form and richness of material and detail, which make Beechworth one of the most significant of Australia's goldfield towns. Of particular interest is the common usage of local granite in construction. Its honey colour imparts a quality distinctive to Beechworth.
The highlights of Beechworth are the grid of wide streets flanked with granite kerbing; the streetscapes of considerable integrity with groups of homogeneous buildings set off by mature elms and other exotic trees; and the remnants of historic Victorian gardens. About the town there are many examples of nineteenth century street furniture, signs and fences. Beechworth's historical wealth is of national significance.
Classified: April, 1983