Wikimedians-in-residence
People & professions, Victorian history:
The Library has hosted two Wikimedians this year as they worked on improving the visibility of Australian feminist activists, organisations, and movements.
Such was life
‘Doing the Block’: promenade on Collins Street
Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Social life & customs, Victorian history:
‘The Block’ was a section of Collins street bounded by Elizabeth and Swanson streets. As early as the 1860s is was considered one of the primary places to see and be seen in the Melbourne CBD, but it reached its zenith during the economic boom years in the 1880s and 1890s. ‘Doing the Block’ was a common term to describe the endless promenading of Melbournians up and down Collins street, often dressed in their finest as they frequented the fashionable cafes, tea houses and shops
A short chronicle of the sorrows of George Edwards: poet, playwright, prisoner
People & professions, Victorian history:
‘A short chronicle of the sorrows of George Edwards’ is a unique set of papers in our manuscripts collection that documents the prison life and creative output of George Edwards, a prisoner at Pentridge Prison in the 1870s. His secret papers were wrapped in strips of prison sheets and wedged within the walls of the prison to avoid detection. Find out how they made their way to the State Library collection.
Detective Inspector Christie: Victoria’s master of disguise
Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, People & professions, Victorian history:
Detective Inspector John Christie was one of Victoria’s most well-known detectives. His use of disguises to catch opium smugglers, diamond thieves, moonshiners, and murderers saw him hailed as the Sherlock Holmes of Australia.
The last theatre on Bourke Street: an archival history of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre
Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Music, Performing Arts, Theatre, Victorian history:
Take a trip through the State Library archives to remember the many incarnations of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre from 1854 until it closed its doors in May 2014.
Sherlock Holmes and spiritualism: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Victoria
Arts & literature, People & professions, Victorian history:
Dust off your deerstalkers and polish your magnifying glasses! Today (22nd May) is Sherlock Holmes Day, where the world celebrates the birthday of this super-sleuth’s creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Radical Acts
Radical Acts is a project to address gender bias in Wikipedia and the Library’s records by improving the representation of Australian feminist activists and movements.
Reconnecting with ‘The silver brumby’
Ask a librarian, Cities & towns, Such was life, Victorian history:
Librarian Daniel Giddens reconnects with one of his favourite children’s stories, ‘The silver brumby’, sharing what makes it so special to him, as well as exploring the background of its author, and the history and significance of its publication.
Think globally, act locally: feminist posters by Australian women artists from 1970s-1990s
The feminist resurgence in the period 1960-1990, referred to as second wave feminism, had a significant impact on the art world. Political graphics were no exception. This blog explores the State Library’s rich and extensive holdings of feminist posters by women artists from Melbourne’s alternative poster collectives.
Courting in the colony: finding a partner in 19th-century Australia
Social life & customs, Victorian history:
The course of true love never did run smooth, but what was it like finding love in early colonial Australia?
