Archive for July, 2020

Victorian patents: a window on the past

Victorian patents: a window on the past

July 23, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

From the world’s first commercial ice-making machine to a cycling skirt made especially for women, the Library’s collection of Victorian patents is a fascinating window into the lives of our forebears

The Crossley Building: past, present and future

The Crossley Building: past, present and future

July 17, 2020

Buildings & streets, People & professions, Such was life:

The Crossley Building on Bourke Street holds the history of one of Melbourne’s earliest, pre gold-rush retail and residential developments. For 60 years it was home to the iconic haberdashery business, Job Warehouse, which closed in 2012. Untenanted ever since and significantly run-down, where to next for this important piece of Melbourne’s built heritage?

The grandstand in Beech Forest

The grandstand in Beech Forest

July 13, 2020

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Reference desk, Victorian history:

A grandstand made out of a tree stump? A racecourse in a forest? Join us as we ponder our question of the week.

Cigarette cards: preservation of a small, but unique collection

Cigarette cards: preservation of a small, but unique collection

July 10, 2020

Collection Care, Our stories, Preservation, Social life & customs:

Collectible cards as we know them today have a very long tradition, dating back to the mid-late nineteenth century with the production of cigarette cards. A small, but unique collection of these wonderful items were recently rehoused by our Preservation team.

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Joan Lindsay’s mysterious ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’

July 6, 2020

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

‘Everyone agreed the day was just right for the picnic to Hanging Rock…’

Education in Colonial Victoria: a new collection for Trove

Education in Colonial Victoria: a new collection for Trove

July 2, 2020

Our stories:

By Paul Dee, Senior Librarian Victorian and Australian Collections Trove is the National Library’s online portal to more than 6 billion artefacts, curiosities and stories from Australia’s cultural, community and research institutions.… Read More ›