The Thomas and Allan Orr Collection

Introduction:

The Thomas and Allan Orr collection consists of four parts:

•	Photographic 35mm slides of buildings built by Thomas Orr Builders in northern Tasmania and photographed by Thomas and Allan Orr.

•	Postcard views of Tasmania collected by Thomas and Allan Orr. Amongst these cards are popular views of social and historical interest from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Many are of Launceston and the surrounding area

•	Black and white and colour photographs of views around Tasmania taken by Thomas and Allan Orr between 1940 and 1990 which reflect their appreciation of Tasmania's unique landscape and architecture.

•	Copies of documents and papers of historical interest, including Allan's memoirs of his involvement in the Tasmanian building industry.

This collection consists of approximately 2000 items, the majority having been digitised as part of the Trust's ongoing efforts to preserve age-sensitive material.

Images of nearly 400 postcards mentioned above, together with brief descriptions, are available to view on-line .

Postcards:-

Page	Registration Number
1	tso00000033 - tso00000224
2	tso00000225 - tso00000282
3	tso00000283 - tso00000380
4	tso00000381 - tso00000431
5	tso00000432 - tso00000486
6	tso00000487 - tso00000539
7	tso00000540 - tso00001350
(Click on an entry above to open an index page in a fresh window)

Collection Background

Three generations of the Orr family of Launceston have made a significant contribution to the building industry in Launceston for almost a century until 1993. In addition to building a large number of private dwellings in and around Launceston, in later years Thomas Orr Builders was responsible for the restoration of many of northern Tasmania's heritage buildings.

Working alongside architects such as Roy Smith, one of the first of these projects was the transformation in 1960 of the National Trust's own property Franklin House from a derelict wreck to the fine Georgian two story house visitors continue to enjoy in the 21st century.

Scottish born Peter Orr arrived in Launceston in 1888, working initially for H T Russell & Sons builders, then in partnership with P J Dell. Like his son Thomas and grandson Alan, he lived in the South Launceston area.

Thomas Orr (1896 – 1976) continued the family association with an apprenticeship to local builder P J Dell. In 1923 and working on his own, Thomas' first job was to build St. Peters Church Hall at South Launceston.

Allan Orr (b.1925) joined his father in 1940 and together they built more than forty houses in Launceston and twenty in the countryside.