ETHEL NEILSEN DAY NURSERY
275-285 EXHIBITION STREET MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY
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Statement of Significance
This place is included on the Victorian Heritage Inventory, for its potential to contain historical archaeological remains associated with the settlement and growth of early Melbourne. Under the terms of the Heritage Act 2017 there is protection for all historical archaeology sites and objects in the state.
Please visit the Heritage Victoria website to find out more about the Heritage Inventory.
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ETHEL NEILSEN DAY NURSERY - History
Heritage Inventory History of Site: Date of first documented occupation, 1858Heritage Inventory Description
ETHEL NEILSEN DAY NURSERY - Heritage Inventory Description
Synagogue constructed 1858/9. Oldest surviving synagogue in city. Used as a synagogue and State school. 1891 - Salvation Army Women's shelter.1901 - Melbourne Central Mission. From 1920 used as a kindergarten.
Heritage Inventory Significance: THE ETHEL NILSEN DAY NURSERY WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED IN 1859 AS THE MICKVAH YISRAEL SYNAGOGUE AND HEBREW SCHOOL TO A DESIGN BY THE ARCHITECTS KNIGHT AND KERR (ALSO THE DESIGNERS OF PARLIAMENT HOUSE). IT WAS USED AS SUCH UNTIL 1877 WHEN A NEW SYNAGOGUE WAS BUILT IN ALBERT STREET, EAST MELBOURNE. IT THEN BECAME STATE SCHOOL NO 2030. IN 1892 IT WAS USED BY THE SALVATION ARMY; FIRSTLY AS A FREE LABOUR BUREAU, THEN A MEN'S INDUSTRIAL HOME AND, FOLLOWING ADDITIONS IN 1897, A WOMEN'S SHELTER. FROM 1909 IT WAS TENANTED BY THE METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION, WHO, IN ADDITION TO BIBLE CLASSES AND SERVICES, PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE LADY MAYORESS, A FREE KINDERGARTEN FOR CHILDREN OF POOR PARENTS. THE NEED FOR SUCH CARE BECAME PARTICULARLY ACUTE DURING WORLD WAR 1 WHEN MANY WOMEN ENTERED THE WORKFORCE. IN 1916 THE CITY CRECHE FOR MOTHERS VISITING HOSPITALS OR DOCTORS WAS ADDED TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED. IN 1948-50 THE CITY FREE KINDERGARTEN WAS RELOCATED TO EAST MELBOURNE AND THE BUILDING MODIFIED BY THE MCC TO PROVIDE ITS CURRENT CRECHE AND NURSERY FACILITY. DESPITE THESE MANY CHANGES OF USE THE APPEARANCE OF THE ORIGINAL SYNAGOGUE BUILDING MAY STILL BE CLEARLY SEEN AS A CONSERVATIVE CLASSICAL TEMPLE. THE BUILDING IS OF IMPORTANCE BECAUSE OF: 1) ITS ORIGINAL ROLE AS ONE OF MELBOURNE'S EARLIEST SYNAGOGUES. 2) ITS LONG ASSOCIATION WITH THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL WELFARE, PARTICULARLY CATERING TO THE NEEDS OF IMPOVERISHED WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND THE UNEMPLOYED IN THE FORMERLY DEPRIVED NORTH-EASTERN QUARTER OF THE CITY 3) ITS ROLE AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE SMALL SCALE WORK OF THE IMPORTANT EARLY ARCHITECTS, KNIGHT AND KERR
Archeological Potential: Extant bldg Fabric,Site
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FORMER CARLTON AND UNITED BREWERYVictorian Heritage Register H0024
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ROSAVILLEVictorian Heritage Register H0408
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MEDLEY HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0409
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