|
|
After the war
After the war, the period of great economic hardship prevented
the restart of Kew's reform and development process. The end of
the war also coincided with the death, through age and decay, of
many mature and historic trees. Despite these hardships, Kew's work
with the colonies continued unabated under the direction of Edward
Salisbury. In particular, demands from plant breeders led to a new
quarantine house being built in the Melon Yard in 1951, funded by
a Colonial Development and Welfare Grant.
A large and welcome gift from the Australian Government in 1952
was the Australian House (now the Evolution House). The house commemorated
the Director's visit to their continent in 1949. It was significant
in that was the first example of a prefabricated aluminium alloy
building at Kew. This precedent was followed in the replacement
succulent house, completed in 1956. Salisbury retired in 1956, frustrated
by post-war austerity, and was replaced by Dr George Taylor.
 Back
to: 1945-Today: Modern Kew
|
