Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens
Research on the history and uses of the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, from 1880 to the present. Extensive collections, images and research files are maintained on the building and events held in the building. Collaborative projects are currently underway on the international exhibition movement in Australia, and fairs and bazaars held in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Archaeological projects are continuing to identify the character of plantings and garden design in the Carlton Gardens.
Project contact: Richard Gillespie
Melbourne Manufacturing
Research into the development of Melbourne’s manufacturing industries during the period 1850-1970, examining aspects such as the changing geographic location of manufacturing, innovation, technology transfer, import replacement, tariffs, manufacturing processes, product development, branding and marketing, product sales and promotion. Key industries of interest include domestic appliance and photographic products manufacturing, building products, engineering and transport vehicle manufacturing.
Project contacts: Matthew Churchward, David Crotty and Fiona Kinsey
Little Lonsdale Street
The social history and archaeology of Little Lonsdale Street in central Melbourne, in collaboration with historians and archaeologists at The University of Melbourne and La Trobe University. Behind the fine streets of Marvelous Melbourne lay the narrow lanes and tiny houses of crowded ‘Little Lon’, in the north-east corner of the central city. The area was home and workplace for laborers, factory girls and trades people. Cheap boarding houses provided the first stop for thousands of immigrants. This project explores what it was like to live in one of Melbourne’s poorer areas during the 19th century.
Project contact: Richard Gillespie
Melbourne’s Observatory
The history of the Melbourne Observatory and its role in navigation, timekeeping, astronomical research, meteorology and geosciences. A case study of the cultural and scientific meanings of a government observatory.
Project contact: Richard Gillespie
Spotswood Pumping Station
Research into the history of the Spotswood Pumping Station and associated early Melbourne Sewerage Scheme covering the site's technical, social and historical significance. Current focus involves improving documentation of historic image collection and the 1200 plus artifacts of historic equipment, furniture and tools found within the Pumping Station when Museum Victoria acquired the site in 1989.
Project contacts: Matthew Churchward and David Crotty
Melbourne’s Yarra bridges
In conjunction with the National Trust a database of 9500 bridges has been developed as part of a study of Victoria’s heritage bridges. Current work is focused on the history of Melbourne's Yarra bridges, Victorian railway bridges and masonry road bridges.
Project contact: Matthew Churchward