OBJECT TITLE / NAME

Mothers Beach & Baths

DATE1950s

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONMornington and District Historical Society

REG NO.1388.5

HISTORY

Sea bathing in specially erected structures built over the water enjoyed a heyday of popularity in the latter part of the 19th century, and the early 1900’s. The Baths which were built at the base of a cliff between Shire Hall Beach and the Pier at Mornington offered facilities of dressing rooms and diving boards. They continued to be used by large numbers of people up to and beyond the time of World War 2. In the 1890’s the proprietor was William Irvine, who advertised the bathing hours at his Royal Baths with different times for gentlemen and ladies, so they didn’t bath together.

DESCRIPTION

1.This photograph shows a woman and two children in the water with the Baths behind them. The woman is wearing a black one piece bathing costume, and is holding the toddler who is wearing a bonnet. The other child has a bucket, and is playing with the water. She has bows in her hair.
2. Two children in the water
3. Woman and child in the water with the Baths behind
4. As above
5. As above

SUBJECTS

Bathers, Baths, public, Baths, sea

KEYWORDS

Bathers, Baths, public, Baths, sea, Mornington, Mornington Baths, Mothers Beach