Skip to main content

Alan Townsend - Life of Luxury in Van Diemen's Land: the story of wallpapers, wallpaper hangers and at least one murder

Published: Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Alan Townsend explores how luxury goods came into the colonial market by zeroing in on wallpaper. He examines what was available, who was selling it, who was hanging it, and where. And just for good measure he will explore the untimely death of Hobart Town paperhanger and retailer. John Perry.

Alan Townsend works in the heritage program at Clarence and Southern Midlands Councils and specialises in early colonial / convict era history. Over the last 20 years or so he has developed a passion for historic wallpapers and taught himself how to recreate them. Alan is currently researching a book on the subject with co-authors Linda Clark and Karen Stott.

To view Alan's slide show while listening to his talk, click here.