|
Getting
out and about
Any
historian worth their salt will tell you that the only way to
get an understanding of history is on your feet, appropriately
shod in a pair of strong walking boots.
The streets of Yass do not require heavy duty footwear but a walk
around the central area of the town will give you an appreciation
of the natural and built environment that has evolved since the
town was settled in the late 1830s.
The
built environment of Yass is one of its most attractive features.
At first glance the most eye-catching of these are the grand bank
buildings that were constructed in the boom days of the late nineteenth
century. Their construction was an affirmation of the confidence
in the economic growth of the district. The effect of the heavily
ornate architectural details of pilasters, capitals, porticos
and heavy window mouldings, is lightened by the liberal use cast
iron lace.
The
grandeur of these buildings is a sharp contrast to earlier simpler
structures such as Cobblestone Cottage, built of local stone with
little adornment.
The
Yass Walk
The
Society in co-operation with the Yass Valley Council have erected
plaques on buildings of historical significance. These distinctive
blue plaques give a brief history of the building or its predecessor.
If you would like to put on your walking shoes and take a 'real'
walk around town you will be able to download a suggested
itinerary (pdf
file) with the various points
of interest noted.
The
walk can be comfortably achieved in two hours and do reward yourself
with a coffee or cool drink at one of the cafes or pubs along
the way.
Tours
On
request volunteers of the Society will conduct group tours of
Yass town.
Walking tours of Comur Street are ideally suited to groups
of not more than 20 participants - allow one hour.
For
groups visiting Yass by bus, a guide can join your group and provide
an hour long commentary as the various historic points of interest
are visited.
Pioneers
down under is a guided tour of 1.5 hours duration to the
Yass General Cemetery. It is a great way to learn the history
of district and hear interesting anecdotes of those early pioneers
'down under'.
School
visits to the museum can also be arranged.
|
