Old Treasury Building, Melbourne
Encyclopedia
The Old Treasury Building on Spring Street
in Melbourne
, was once home to the Treasury Department of the Government of Victoria, but is now a museum
of Melbourne history, known as the Old Treasury Building.
, and is considered one of Australia's finest Renaissance Revival buildings, constructed in palazzo
form and built from wealth accumulated during the Victorian Gold Rush
to house the state gold vaults.
The building was designed by young architect J. J. Clark
at just 19 years of age. The oldest surviving designs for the building date back to 1857, and many of JJ Clark's drafts are on display throughout the building. Clark later went on to design the Brisbane Treasury
in Queensland
, considered to be another fine example in a classical style.
Miles Lewis
once described it as the "finest public building exterior in Australia".
It is the cornerstone of the Treasury Reserve government precinct adjacent to the Treasury Gardens
and creates an important vista terminating Collins Street
, the financial spine of the city.
When the official treasury offices were moved in 1877-78, the building was nicknamed the 'Old Treasury'.
The building is also notable as it was the unofficial first capital building of Australia
. In February 1899, a "secret" Premiers' conference was convened, after which it was decided Melbourne's Parliament House
would be the temporary capital until the location of the Australian National Capital
was officially announced.
The museum's permanent exhibition, Victorian Archival Treasures, presents a rich narrative of Victoria's history from the 1830's, highlighted by key documents and artifacts from Public Record Office Victoria (PROV). These documents and artifacts once held in the Old Treasury Building gold vaults explore themes of Indigenous Victorians and first white settlement in 1835, Ned Kelly and Criminals, Victorian Democracy, Victorians at Work and the Gold Rush.
Built on Gold is particularly inspired by the epic story of the Victorian gold discoveries from 1852 to 1862. In those ten years Melbourne was transformed from a struggling settlement town into a bustling city of international reputation. Built on Gold traces this story through historical themes and explores the economic, cultural and recreational aspects of the city’s life, then and now.
Presented through a dynamic combination of significant artefacts, images and multimedia exhibits Victorian Archival Treasures brings history to life. Included in the displays are highlights from Public Record Office Victoria, such as Ned Kelly's Babington Letter from 1870, the only existing letter written by Ned himself; Robert Hoddle's field book from 1843 and many more original documents which illustrate Melbourne's cultural heritage.
'. Though set in Boston
, Massachusetts, the movie was shot in Melbourne
. A number of other Melbourne landmarks are also featured.
Public Records Office Victoria
Spring Street, Melbourne
Spring Street is a major street in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs roughly north-south, and is the easternmost street in the Hoddle Grid. The street travels from Flinders Street in the south, to La Trobe Street and the Carlton Gardens in the north...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, was once home to the Treasury Department of the Government of Victoria, but is now a museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
of Melbourne history, known as the Old Treasury Building.
History
The Old Treasury Building was constructed between 1858-62, and is considered one of Australia's finest Renaissance Revival buildings, constructed in palazzo
Palazzo
Palazzo, an Italian word meaning a large building , may refer to:-Buildings:*Palazzo, an Italian type of building**Palazzo style architecture, imitative of Italian palazzi...
form and built from wealth accumulated during the Victorian Gold Rush
Victorian gold rush
The Victorian gold rush was a period in the history of Victoria, Australia approximately between 1851 and the late 1860s. In 10 years the Australian population nearly tripled.- Overview :During this era Victoria dominated the world's gold output...
to house the state gold vaults.
The building was designed by young architect J. J. Clark
John James Clark
John James Clark , an Australian architect, was born in Liverpool, England. Clark’s 30 years in public service, in combination with 33 in private practice, produced some of Australia’s most notable public buildings, as well as at least one prominent building in New Zealand.-Biography:John James...
at just 19 years of age. The oldest surviving designs for the building date back to 1857, and many of JJ Clark's drafts are on display throughout the building. Clark later went on to design the Brisbane Treasury
Treasury Building, Brisbane
The former Queensland Government Treasury Building, is located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on a city block surrounded by George Street, Queen Street, Elizabeth Street and William Street....
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, considered to be another fine example in a classical style.
Miles Lewis
Miles Lewis
Professor Miles Lewis AM is an Australian academic serving as a Professor in the Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning, at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He is one of Australia's most notable Architectural historians, and a member of the Order of Australia...
once described it as the "finest public building exterior in Australia".
It is the cornerstone of the Treasury Reserve government precinct adjacent to the Treasury Gardens
Treasury Gardens, Melbourne
The Treasury Gardens consist of 5.8 hectares on the south-eastern side of the Melbourne Central Business District, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The gardens are bounded by Wellington Parade, Spring Street, Treasury Place, and by the Fitzroy Gardens across Lansdowne street to the west...
and creates an important vista terminating Collins Street
Collins Street, Melbourne
Collins Street is a major street in the Melbourne central business district and runs approximately east to west.It is notable as Melbourne's traditional main street and best known street, is often regarded as Australia's premier street, with some of the country's finest Victorian era buildings.The...
, the financial spine of the city.
When the official treasury offices were moved in 1877-78, the building was nicknamed the 'Old Treasury'.
The building is also notable as it was the unofficial first capital building of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In February 1899, a "secret" Premiers' conference was convened, after which it was decided Melbourne's Parliament House
Parliament House, Melbourne
Parliament House in Melbourne, located at Spring Street in East Melbourne at the edge of the Melbourne city centre, has been the seat of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia, since 1855 .- History :In 1851, even before the colony of Victoria acquired full parliamentary self-government, Governor...
would be the temporary capital until the location of the Australian National Capital
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
was officially announced.
Old Treasury Building
The Old Treasury Building, previously housed City Museum and reopened in 2009 as a not-for-profit organisation with the permanent exhibition 'Victorian Archival Treasures' and 'Built on Gold'.The museum's permanent exhibition, Victorian Archival Treasures, presents a rich narrative of Victoria's history from the 1830's, highlighted by key documents and artifacts from Public Record Office Victoria (PROV). These documents and artifacts once held in the Old Treasury Building gold vaults explore themes of Indigenous Victorians and first white settlement in 1835, Ned Kelly and Criminals, Victorian Democracy, Victorians at Work and the Gold Rush.
Built on Gold is particularly inspired by the epic story of the Victorian gold discoveries from 1852 to 1862. In those ten years Melbourne was transformed from a struggling settlement town into a bustling city of international reputation. Built on Gold traces this story through historical themes and explores the economic, cultural and recreational aspects of the city’s life, then and now.
Presented through a dynamic combination of significant artefacts, images and multimedia exhibits Victorian Archival Treasures brings history to life. Included in the displays are highlights from Public Record Office Victoria, such as Ned Kelly's Babington Letter from 1870, the only existing letter written by Ned himself; Robert Hoddle's field book from 1843 and many more original documents which illustrate Melbourne's cultural heritage.
In the media
The Old Treasury Building features in the climactic sequence of the movie 'KnowingKnowing (film)
Knowing is a 2009 American-British science fiction film directed by Alex Proyas and starring Nicolas Cage. The project was originally attached to a number of directors under Columbia Pictures, but it was placed in turnaround and eventually picked up by Escape Artists. Production was financially...
'. Though set in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts, the movie was shot in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. A number of other Melbourne landmarks are also featured.
External links
Old Treasury BuildingPublic Records Office Victoria