Melbourne Museum: Melbourne Gallery (and Story)

Small bit of rain about so I thought: why not spend some time at the Melbourne Museum as I’d heard that they had recently totally re-done the large Melbourne Gallery section. Plus being a Museum Members keeps the entry price to exactly zero.

That area is called Melbourne Story and they have done a great job with it. It now tells the story in logical time order and sections. So first it’s pre-1835 (before white settlement), then from 1835 to the 1850 gold rush and separation from NSW etc. Each section has a well thought out mixture of the Big Picture items and context, right down to individual stories and objects.

I have recently been interested in the history of Little Lonsdale street; aka Little Lon. Having worked just near there for a year in Albert St, I got to learn more about early Melbourne’s most infamous street. One main source being the excellent Bearbrass book.

A few years ago, a large archaeological dig there revealed a mass of objects from early Little Lon. A fair few of these have been cleaned up and are on display as part of the Melbourne Story. Also there is a walk-though recreation of a number of shanty-town ‘houses’. Just 2 rooms in each. And both houses sharing the one tiny outdoor toilet. An added touch is the use of dark and dingy lighting in these houses, to really transport you back 150 years ago.

Even if you have just a tiny interest in Melbourne’s history, then I’m sure you’ll find the Melbourne Gallery section of interest. Plus there’s the rest of the wonderful Museum to explore too.