The archaeology digs proposed by Flinders University have been approved at the last meeting of the Derwent Valley Council on Thursday night. The digs are at the Ladies Cottage (J ward) on the privately owned section, Frascati House and at Willow Court. Also included in the proposal is an open day for members of the public to see and hear about what is happening.
The Council also approval a proposal by the Friends of Willow Court during a public meeting for “supervised walks” around the Barracks area on the same day. The Council will look at approving a media release by the committee once it is submitted. The submission was passed with a number of amendments, they are; that all people visiting the site have appropriate safe footwear, that access to Carlton and Allonah House be restricted to the outside only and that any media release be put to the General Manager and the Mayor within three weeks.
The open day will be on February 12th. Detailed information about Friends of Willow Court activities will be released soon.
Archaeology at Willow Court
Community Open Day
Sunday 12th February, 2017
10am-4pm
Willow Court, New Norfolk
The Willow Court Barracks is one of the nation’s oldest hospital buildings, built between 1830 and 1833 to treat convict invalids and free settlers. A second barracks building (now demolished) was attached at the rear for patients with mental health issues—this was the first purpose built asylum in Australia.
Archaeologists have been working at the site of Willow Court since 2014 to try to understand the daily life of patients and staff in this institution across 170 years. As the longest lasting, continuously used mental health hospital in Australia, Willow Court is a rare example of changing attitudes to mental health, its nature and its treatment across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Come and meet the archaeologists, learn about the excavations, ask questions and contribute to understanding the site and its history. Entry and tours are free.
The archaeological work at Willow Court is supported by the Derwent Valley Council, Flinders University and the University of Tasmania.
All ages are welcome.
Willow Court History Group are not associated with the Derwent Valley Council, Friends of Willow Court or any paranormal groups.