living history
AS THE OWNERS OF THE BOWMONT in the quiet village of Franklin, Tasmania, Michelle and Leo Crawford often find themselves answering the door to passers-by who have a story to share about their century-old home.
Built in 1906 to serve as the then-bustling Huon region’s bank before morphing into a private hospital after the Second World War, the stately Edwardian pile “means a lot to a lot of people”, says Michelle, 53. “Over 3000 babies were born here during that time and that’s part of the reason it’s heritage listed. Everyone’s got a Bowmont story – they were born here, or know someone or
