“Redwood” Wilson’s Road Mornington 1920

OBJECT TITLE / NAME

“Redwood” Wilson’s Road Mornington 1920

DATE1920

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONMornington and District Historical Society

REG NO.1267.3

HISTORY

Alfred Downward was born to Edward and Elizabeth Downward in Prahran in 1847. His family settled in Mornington in 1855 and also took up land in Merricks and Balnarring. As a young adult, Alfred purchased land at the corner of Wilson’s Road and Adelaide Street and built his home “Redwood” in 1879 where he and his wife Josephine brought up their family. Alfred was a prominent politician for many years, first in local Councils then in State and Federal politics. He lived at “Redwood” until his death in 1930 when the property passed to his surviving daughters. The house has since been demolished.

DESCRIPTION

Painting (dated 1920) of Alfred Downward’s house “Redwood” by Charles Bennett, a noted Melbourne painter. The house and garden are more developed and elegant than the earlier photograph from c1893

KEYWORDS

Bennett, Charles, Downward, Alfred, Mornington, Wilsons Road