An award-winning Curtin University research project has expanded and enhanced its online collection of interactive images of historical views of Perth and Fremantle to provide an even more stunning insight into how the cities have changed over the past 150 years.<\/p>\n
Recognised at the 2017 Western Australian Heritage Awards, the Historical Panoramas collaboration between Curtin\u2019s HIVE (Hub for Immersive Visualisation and eResearch) and the State Library of Western Australia showcases images of Perth and Fremantle\u2019s past, bringing them to life alongside photos of today.<\/p>\n
Project Supervisor and Curtin HIVE Manager Dr Andrew Woods said the project\u2019s website had more than doubled in size and now featured more than thirty new or updated wide-angle panoramic views of Perth and Fremantle \u2013 dating as far back as 1858.<\/p>\n
\u201cHistorical Panoramas provides a unique insight into what Perth and Fremantle were like as far back in time as the early settlement days,\u201d Dr Woods said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe interactive website allows people to zoom in to see amazing details, pan around wide vistas, fade between years of the same view, and jump between 20 different locations to see how the landscapes have changed over the decades \u2013 the time-lapse effect is quite remarkable.<\/p>\n
\u201cHighlights of the new site include the view from the Perth Town Hall tower, which has been upgraded to a full 360 degree view as seen in 1885, 1906, 1925 and 2016, and there is now a 360 degree view from the tower of the Fremantle Town Hall with overlays of how the city looked in 1891, 1899, 1913, 1970, 1973 and 2017.\u201d<\/p>\n
State Library of Western Australia State Librarian Margaret Allen said the partnership with Curtin\u2019s HIVE was part of the State Library\u2019s efforts to collect, preserve and share WA\u2019s stories.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is no good having literally millions of fantastic photos just sitting on shelves \u2013 we need to bring those photos into the light for the people of Western Australia to see and Historical Panoramas does this in a spectacular and engaging format,\u201d Ms Allen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an important initiative because it brings history to life and in a very real way connects the past with the now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Originally launched in 2016, the Historical Panoramas project was awarded a Commendation in the Interpretation Project category of the 2017 Western Australian Heritage Awards, and received a framed certificate and an engraved medallion from The Perth Mint in recognition of its contribution to Western Australia\u2019s heritage.<\/p>\n