A U T H O R S H I P
The Launceston Heritage Study—Stage 1: Thematic History was prepared by Ian Terry,
historian, heritage and interpretation consultant and Nathalie Servant, consultant historian, for
Paul Davies Pty Ltd, architect and heritage consultant. The resulting prosperity is reflected in the city's built environment. At the same time, Launceston's economy was boosted by the discovery and exploitation of rich mining areas in western and north-eastern Tasmania, and the city became the colony's main trading centre. It uses as a framework the
core themes identified by the Australian Heritage Council's Australian History Project
. After its site was confirmed in 1823 it quickly developed a distinct
identity to Hobart, an identity most clearly expressed by the strength of the anti-
transportationist movement there in the 18
0s and 1850s. 1, 2. In particular, the Museum and Gallery of Art Queen Victoria was very active in
, in which they have carried out heritage research into many aspects of Launceston's history over the past 25 years. Provide a list of those individual places that are deemed to contribute to
those heritage precincts, with an assessment on whether or not those places are of high
enough heritage significance to be worthy of entry in the Tasmanian Heritage Register.
A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S
A report such as this, prepared within tight time and budgetary constraints, cannot be
undertaken without the willing assistance of many people. In particular we would like to thank:
• Staff of the Community History Museum of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery,
Launceston
• Staff of the Local Studies Library, State Library of Tasmania, Launceston
• Elspeth Wishart and Anne McConnell
• Staff of the Archives Office of Tasmania
• Staff of the Central Plan Room of the Department of Primary Industries Water and the
Environment
• Staff of the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts and the Tasmaniana Library, State
Library of Tasmania
• Paul Davies and David Parham
A B B R E V I A T I O N S
Allport Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, State Library of Tasmania
AOT Archives Office of Tasmania
DPIWE Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment
HRA Historical Records of Australia
JPPP Journals and Printed Papers of Parliament
QVMAG Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania
Tasmaniana Tasmaniana Library, State Library of Tasmania
Launceston Heritage Study: Thematic History
Paul Davies Pty Ltd
H I S T O R I C C O N T E X T
I N T R O D U C T I O N
After an uncertain foundation caused by divergent views concerning the appropriate site for
northern Tasmania’s major centre, Launceston developed into a city with a rich nineteenth and
early twentieth century industrial history and an outstanding built heritage of late Victorian
and Federation buildings.
