Objects of Substance – Historic Library Furniture

2012, Ms Rachael Christopherson and members of the Libellum Society in the Estelle Burke (1947) room

In 1962, glass tops were added to this and other wooden tables to protect the surfaces, and so that maps and diagrams could be displayed under the glass while the girls were studying (Williamson, 1962). Two of these glass-topped tables remain in the current library and the tradition of displaying artworks and items of interest under the glass continues. The chairs were initially an exciting addition to the first library, the purchase of ‘a dozen chairs for the Reference Library’ being noted in the Library Report of 1961 (Ernst, 1961). Before these chairs were placed around the long table ina space in the Elizabeth Jameson building, Mrs Cooke had the chairs restored with their original blue upholstery. Room L2.03 also features an unassuming, pine teachers’ desk, one of the many desks from the early classrooms, and thus another piece of our School’s history.