On 3rd December 2011 the Department of Defence marked the 200th Anniversary of Anglesea Barracks in Hobart. This is the oldest continually used army Barracks in Australia and contains a mix of Colonial Georgian, Regency, Federation and later buildings within a precinct that has been recognised both locally and nationally as of great historical importance to both Tasmanian and Australia.
As part of this event a book, Barrack Hill, A History of Anglesea Barracks 1811–2011 has been produced.
This book published by the Department of Defence not only explores the development of the Barracks buildings through word and images but also reveals many of the previously untold stories of many of the occupiers of the Barracks over the past two hundred years.
The 260 page book is hard covered (with dust jacket) has over 180 images, end notes, several appendixes and is indexed.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to support the work of Legacy and the Australian Army Museum Tasmania.
Copies of the Book can be purchased from the Australian Army Museum Tasmania, Anglesea Barracks Hobart. Cost is $50 plus $12 postage anywhere within Australia.
Introduction:
The Barracks was once a prominent feature of Hobart’s landscape. It features in many works of art that depict the city from the 1820s. These images show clearly the reasons why Governor Macquarie chose this as “the place for a barracks”. The position had commanding views of the town and harbour below, yet was distant enough to provide some separation for the troops from the general population.
Sadly a growing city has now hidden “The Barracks” from view, particularly through the construction of the Repatriation Hospital. So much so that the average person would have trouble finding it if not for the two prominent cannon in front of the entrance gates.
In this, the Barracks 200th year, we are reminded of Dickens’ character, Miss Haversham from “Great Expectations”. The Barracks, hidden away and only seen by a few, all her buildings with their colonial finery holding onto her vibrant past. A place that is part of the present, yet looking back and remembering the stories of her youth……..