A moa for all seasons, now showing in Mirror of the world
We highlight the work of controversial natural historian Richard Owen in our Mirror of the World exhibition
Extraordinary rare book collection donated to State Library
News:
The late John Emmerson QC has donated one of the world’s great rare book collections to the State Library.
Family History Feast 2015
Events, Family History Feast 2015, Family matters:
Planning is well underway for this year’s twelfth annual Family History Feast to be held on Monday 10 August at the State Library of Victoria. Put this date in your… Read More ›
New exhibition opens in Palmer Hall
News:
‘Writing the war: Personal stories from WWI’ opens in the Library’s newly refurbished Palmer Hall.
From the Outer Circle to Heavy Metal on DVD
Music, Performing Arts, Popular music, Rare Books & Arts:
New DVDs arriving into the collection include releases in rock, opera, ballet, popular music, magic and documentary.
Wattle blooms in Palmer Hall
Today poppies denote WWI remembrance, but a sprig of yellow wattle symbolised home for many Australians at war.
Dan Morgan: bushranger
People & professions, Such was life, Uncategorized:
It is 150 years since the death of the bushranger known as Dan Morgan.
Never judge a cover by its book
Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:
Our new exhibition, Inspiration by Design: Word and Image From the Victoria and Albert Museum, puts the look of the book front and centre and raises the question, just what is it that makes us reach for that particular book in the first place?
A bohemian football match
The costume football match in 1881 featured players dressed as characters from opera, tragedy, comedy, farce and pantomime.
The art of the garden
With the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in full bloom, it seems only right to have a bit of a floral festival here at the Library. As Cicero said: “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”
Such was life
Feasts of Christmas past
What are your favourite festive food memories? Have you ever enjoyed Christmas Day lunch on the beach, up a mountain or aboard a ship? Do you remember pineapple glazed ham? Would you like the 100-year-old recipe for walnut stuffing? The State Library’s historic menus, cookbooks, photos and magazines trace Christmas foods from early colonial tables to the festive flavours celebrated by our diverse migrant communities. Dive in and rediscover your favourite Christmas dishes — or find inspiration for this year’s feast.
Arts
Portraits of Melbourne artists in their studios
John Hinds, an artist, photographer and active ROAR member from 1986 to 1992 spent time capturing artists he personally knew and the spaces that they used to create their works. His photographs captured a unique and often unseen time and place, creating an invaluable insight into the art scene in Melbourne.
