PENSHURST FREE PRESS (FORMER)
90 Bell Street, PENSHURST VIC 3289 - Property No 0028
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Statement of Significance
The former Penshurst Free Press building is located on the north side of Bell Street between Martin and French Streets in the centre of the township of Penshurst. The building takes the form of a single storey symmetrical red brick structure in the Edwardian Free Classical style. It has relatively small shop windows, divided into four panes and a glazed timber front door. From 1902 to 1930, the building was used as a Butcher's Shop, first by Joseph O'Brien, and later by Ross & Clark's butcheries. After this, it operated as the Penshurst Free Press Printing office, where the townships only paper was produced between 1930-1980. After the Penshurst Free Press stopped operating, the old press was sold to the Ballarat Museum, and the shop was sold to the Southern Grampians Shire Council. No architect or builder has been associated with the building. The former Penshurst Free Press building is in excellent condition, and retains a very high degree of integrity both externally and internally.
How is it Significant?
The former Penshurst Free Press building is of architectural and historical significance to the township of Penshurst and the Southern Grampians Shire.
Why is it Significant?
The building is of architectural significance as a rare surviving example of an Edwardian Free Classical shop which survives in excellent condition with a very good degree of integrity to its construction date. The building is of historical significance for it uses as a butcher shop, and for its use as the offices of Penshurst's only newspaper, the Penshurst Free Press for over 50 years. Of further historical significance is the changing use of the building, which reflects the changing social and economic focus of the township in the twentieth century, moving away from a community which shopped locally, to the provision of community services.
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PENSHURST FREE PRESS (FORMER) - Physical Conditions
The building is in excellent condition.
PENSHURST FREE PRESS (FORMER) - Physical Description 1
The former Penshurst Free Press building is a single storey symmetrical red brick building with relatively small shop windows and a glazed timber front door. The doorway is recessed and has been modified on one side to enlarge it. The double hung sash windows are divided into four panes and have bluestone sills. There is a bullnose verandah supported on cast iron columns with limited cast iron decoration. The columns are cast with a plant motif twisting round the shaft. The spandrils of the verandah are filled with vertical boarding. The facade is completed by a simple parapet incorporating a central pediment and end piers. There is limited use of cement render on the parapet as an intermediate cornice and coping cornice. The building included particular details which indicate its former use as a butcher's shop. The a cool room at the rear of the main shop has been removed.
PENSHURST FREE PRESS (FORMER) - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies
3.12 Feeding people
3.12.5 Retailing foods and beverages
3.19 Marketing and Retailing
Theme 4: Building settlements, towns and cities
Theme 8 Developing Australia's cultural life
8.4 Eating and drinking
8.12 Living in and around Australian homes
8.14 Living in the country and rural settlementsPENSHURST FREE PRESS (FORMER) - Usage/Former Usage
vacant
PENSHURST FREE PRESS (FORMER) - Integrity
Very high degree of integrity externally and internally.
PENSHURST FREE PRESS (FORMER) - Physical Description 2
Joseph O'Brien, butcher and former owner [but double check against rate books.]
Ross and Clark's, butchers
Ross Family, publishers of the Free Press from 1945 to 1980Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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