Two run-down country Hotels (one which concealed beautiful vintage costumes and second-hand books) are being transformed into provincial arts precincts.
Hotel St Arnaud hid a secret collection of 7,000 vintage costumes behind the doors of its 19 bedrooms. The collection (which was auctioned off in Melbourne in October 2013) was quite diverse and included;
• Exquisite ball-gowns worn by Australian Opera singers including the Master Soprano Marilyn Richardson,
• Costumes and outfits worn by actors including John Waters, Carol Drinkwater and Keith Michell from Australian television productions such as Captain James Cook and Rush,
• Authentic and well preserved military jackets, coats and uniforms,
• Stunning sequinned cabaret dancing dresses,
• Beautifully kept wedding dresses covering all styles and designs from vintage lace and stunningly regal to satin and modern,
• Vintage clown costumes, bear suits and all styles of child and adult characters used in early ABC television productions,
• A Versace sequinned jumpsuit and early Ladies Qantas outfit designed by Yves Saint Laurent, and
• Fabulous vintage and retro clothing and accessories.
The 20,000 second-hand books have been donated to a local ex-librarian who dreamed of one day opening a bookshop and will be housed in St Arnaud in a little shop within the Manchester Arms (now named Lamartine - after the French Poet & Writer and the place Van Gogh and Gaughin planned an artist colony).
Both Hotels are currently being renovated. Hotel St Arnaud will be returned to its former victorian and art deco beauty and provide locals and visitors with a diverse range of dining experiences centering around local produce and available from breakfast to late night snacks for the residents staying in the upstairs suite accommodation. It will also incorporate a Regional Art Gallery for hosting travelling shows and provide a venue for artistic pursuits.
Lamartine will be a more casual and creative space and focus on the artworks and classes of local artists. It will incorporate a bookshop (to house the 20,000 second-hand books discovered in Hotel St Arnaud), a licensed cafe, a local art gallery, art & sculpture classes, an interactive garden and accommodation.
It is a pretty exciting project for us so we're delighted you've found our facebook page and hope you'll stay with us for the journey :)
- Category:
- Hotel