HO7 - The Willows
The Willows Historical Park Nixon and McKenzie Streets MELTON, Melton Shire
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Statement of Significance
The Willows homestead, 76-82 Reserve Road, Melton, is significant as a moderately intact example of a Victorian styled homestead, as one of few surviving mid nineteenth century homesteads in the Melton Shire, and as a nineteenth century homestead built of unusual rendered random rubble wall construction with sturdy buttresses to the original portion of the dwelling. Situated within The Willows Historical Park, the original homestead is likely to have been built in the mid 1850s.
The Willows homestead is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D.2, E.1). It demonstrates original design qualities of a Victorian style and represents one of the few surviving examples of this type in the Melton Shire. These qualities include the broad hipped, shingle roof form, together with a smaller hipped roof that represents an early addition (which also contributes to the significance of the dwelling), the whole forming an M roof configuration. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the single storey height, encircling verandah supported by solid timber posts, three rendered masonry chimneys with corbelled tops, timber framed double hung multi-paned windows, timber framed door openings, four panelled timber door on the entrance, two small timber framed windows flanking the entrance doorway, smoothly rusticated quoinwork and voussoirs with the keystones having a vermiculation pattern surrounding the window and door openings, and the sturdy rendered masonry buttresses on the original portion of the building.
The Willows homestead is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A.4, B.2) for its association with the establishment of the local pound, as a scarce example of a reasonably intact building from the original era of farming in the Shire, and for its long association with the Minns family who were prominent in the local community and local government over several generations.
The Willows homestead is scientifically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC F.1). The rendered random rubble wall construction and particularly the sturdy buttresses that project from the original portion of the dwelling, represent an unusual form of nineteenth century construction.
The Willows homestead is socially and aesthetically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC G.1, E.1). It is a local history landmark, recognised for its special picturesque and townscape values by a community that was undergoing rapid transformation. This public sentiment culminated in its purchase and restoration by the Shire with the assistance of the local community and heritage organisations. It is now the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society and the centrepiece of a local heritage park.
Overall, The Willows is of LOCAL significance.-
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HO7 - The Willows - Physical Description 1
Physical Description -
The Willows homestead is a substantial rubble stone and mud mortar farmhouse erected on east bank Toolern Creek. It now forms a landmark in The Willows Historical Park, 76-82 Reserve Road, Melton. The dwelling is surrounded by open grassed areas, a corrugated iron garage, an old dairy and a machinery shed , two underground wells and adjacent peppercorn, eucalyptus, and cypress trees in a park setting.
The single storey, symmetrical, rendered random rubble and mud mortar, Victorian styled dwelling is characterised by a broad hipped roof form, together with a smaller hipped roof that represents a later (but early) addition, the whole forming an M roof configuration. These roof forms are clad in introduced timber tiles, having replaced the earlier galvanised corrugated steel roof cladding. Three rendered masonry chimneys with corbelled tops adorn the roofline and there are no eaves. A reconstructed encircling verandah is another distinctive characteristic feature of the place and is supported by solid timber posts. The verandah brackets have been introduced.
Other early features of the design are the timber framed double hung multi-paned windows, timber framed door openings (with a four panelled timber door on the entrance) and the two small timber framed windows flanking the doorway. These openings are emphasised by smoothly rusticated quoinwork and voussoirs, the keystones having vermiculation pattern. Another distinctive and unusual early feature is the sturdy rendered masonry buttressing on the original portion of the building.
The house in its original form consisted of four rooms with a high-pitched split shingle roof. A roomy cellar was located under the central passageway. The property faced south east. Sometime in the late 1860s the property underwent a major change. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west facades of the old building, and another two were added to the south wall. A two room extension was also added to the rear of the house and this became the new front of the building.
HO7 - The Willows - Historical Australian Themes
Melton Historical Themes: 'Farming', 'Community'
HO7 - The Willows - Integrity
Integrity - Moderately intact
HO7 - The Willows - Physical Conditions
Physical Condition - Good
Heritage Study and Grading
Melton - Shire of Melton Heritage Study phase 2
Author: David Maloney, David Rowe, Pamela Jellie, Sera Jane Peters
Year: 2007
Grading:
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