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Bundoora Homestead Art Centre Heritage Tour

Description

Bundoora Homestead Art Centre is the public art gallery for the City of Darebin, on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country. Built in 1899, the homestead today serves as a centre for contemporary art, ideas, a public garden and café.

On 606 acres (245 hectares) of land, the original 14-room mansion was commissioned by John Matthew Vincent Smith as a home for his family, where they lived for 20 years. Before its present day use, it served as a convalescent farm and repatriation hospital.

The red brick mansion with dominant hipped roofs, protruding strapped gables, and tall brick and stucco chimneys is a strong example of the English Queen Anne Style as adapted to the Australian environment. It is one of the best remaining works of architect Sydney Wilson.

What's On

A heritage tour will inform you about the commissioning and origins of the house; its multiple incarnations for a variety of uses (family home, hospital, arts centre); unique architectural features of the Queen Anne style mansion; and the Indigenous custodianship of local Country.

Following the tour, you are welcome to stay and wander through the gardens, explore the current exhibition or enjoy a snack or drink at the cafe.

Images: (1) The Bundoora Homestead Art Centre, featuring artwork by Emma Hamilton 'Simultaneous Light' (Spring Equinox) 2021. Cyanotype on cotton. Courtesy City of Darebin. (2) Nurse at Bundoora Repatriation Mental Hospital c.1920s courtesy the Australian War Memorial H19366

Important Details

Time & Date

Saturday 30 July
Open 11am - 4pm

Group tour available at 2pm. On arrival, please notify staff at the front desk reception that you would like to attend the tour. You will be notified of the tour assembly point from there.

Age Requirements

All Ages

Accessibility

Fully wheelchair accessible

Location

7 Prospect Hill Drive, Bundoora 3083

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