A window to the past
Amazingly, during the works the team uncovered a digital camera buried within the layers of sludge and they were able to retrieve images that displayed the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney landscape in 2017.
Images from the camera show visitors enjoying the Choo Choo express
This discovery inspired us, like our Assets team, to do some digging into the history of the Lotus Pond. The pond itself holds heritage significance, as it was built by Charles Moore, who remains the longest standing Botanic Gardens Director from 1848-1896.
The fountain in the centre, known as the Bird Bath Fountain, was likely erected some time before 1879 as part of the ‘dressing up’ of the Garden for the International Exhibition. It was replaced in 1987, due to damage, using a marble bowl sourced all the way from Carrera in Italy!
Images from the late 1800s show lost features, such as this rustic bridge that straddles the largest pond and the lotus pond. A gentleman in a bowler hat can be seen enjoying the Gardens.
After digging into our library, we found loads of hidden gems, depicting the ponds and surrounding Garden as it used to be c. 1870 – 1890s. These stunning historical images show the Royal Botanic Gardens from over a century ago, as well as providing glimpses into the history of Sydney’s skyline and how it has changed.
This image was taken sometime between 1879 and 1882, as it depicts the Garden Palace in the background, which tragically burnt down in 1882 only three years after it was built