BARTLEY BREWERY, CHILTERN
CHILTERN-HOWLONG ROAD CHILTERN, INDIGO SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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BARTLEY BREWERY, CHILTERN - History
Bartley Brewery was operational from 1861-1913 and was established by Mr Benjamin Jackson Bartley who was a local cordial manufacturer who started a business on Black Dog Creek in Chiltern before expanding to brewing. Bartley was a prominent member of the local society and held many official positions; President of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, the first President of the Shire of Chiltern, President of the Chiltern Racing Club, Justice of the Peace and the Coroner for the district. He was described as 'one of natures gentlemen and a model of integrity' (Deutsher 1999:113).
In 1884 Bartley and Sons opened a brewery in Maryborough and apparently at this time, and with shrewd business sense he negotiated with another brewer McIntyre, Lincoln & Co. to agree not to carry on trade as brewers, cordial or aerated water manufacturers within 30 miles of Cootamundra except at Junee Junction) for a period of five years.In 1894 Bartley purchased The Cootamundra Brewery (renamed Excelsior Brewery) in Olney Street (now 74 Mackay Street Chiltern) (see attached image).
In 1887 Benjamin Bartley's health deteriorated and tenders were invited for the purchase or rental of the Chiltern Brewery, but his son Theodore continued operations under AET Bartley until 1913 at the site. Benjamin died in 1899 but the site remained in the Bartley family until 1989 when they sold it and now it is incorporated into the Chiltern Regional Park.
The site of the Bartley Brewery appears to be important to the history of Chiltern with the Friends of the Chiltern Park: The sights at Bartley's Block were very disturbing. Large areas had been dug over, some to a depth of 50cms, with no attempt to level the diggings out. Much of Chiltern's history revolves around the Bartley family and to see the homestead and brewery sites dug up is quite distressing (Newsletter 133 September 2005).
The site though has not been totally destroyed and remains a favourite birding spot for the Friends above.
BARTLEY BREWERY, CHILTERN - Interpretation of Site
1861-1913 Brewery and homestead operations
1913 - 1989 Abandoned
1989 - Chiltern Regional Park
BARTLEY BREWERY, CHILTERN - Archaeological Significance
Regional significance - part of the Old Indigo lead mining landscape and one of the most intact breweries of the mining period. It also had a relatively short phase of occupation and hence, therefore has the potential for a very refined (both diachronic and synchronic) analysis of the material culture from this site. The site has intact foundations relating to both domestic and industrial occupation at the site that is now situated in bushland. The present day remoteness of this site is in contrast to the extent of settlement and activity of the area during the gold and mining extraction era of the late nineteenth century. Much of the foundations remain and the site has the potential for further sub-surface material, both domestic and industrial and there is high potential for significant information to be obtained from the site on mid-nineteenth century brewing activity.
BARTLEY BREWERY, CHILTERN - Historical Significance
Associated with Benjamin Bartley, the first President of Shire of Chiltern and one of the key regional players of the mid to late 19th century brewery industry. The site is important as an one of several brewery complexes established by Bartley, the others being at Cootamundra and Maryborough.
Heritage Inventory Description
BARTLEY BREWERY, CHILTERN - Heritage Inventory Description
Consistent with the original description of house ruins; comprising foundations, rubble, garden beds, paths & exotic plants and a well; brewery - foundations, rubble, sections of floor, dams & underground wells (one open); three were noted in this inspection 2 circular brick-lined; and another, brick beehive type) and extensive artefact scatters.
House site - foundations, rubble, garden beds, paths and exotic plants. Brewery - foundations, rubble, sections of floor, dams and two underground wells (one open circular brick-lined, the other is a brick beehive type).
Heritage Inventory Significance: Regional - part of Old Indigo Lead mining landscape
Informants: John McDonald, Ranger, Friends group; Eileen Collins, Friends group Recorded by: D. Bannear Date Recorded: 00FEB1995
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FORMER BANK OF AUSTRALASIAVictorian Heritage Register H0277
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STAR THEATREVictorian Heritage Register H0278
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CHILTERN ATHENAEUM AND MUSEUMVictorian Heritage Register H1326
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