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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Legend of Montrose
Pattison Collection This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and it’s Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. SIGNIFICANCE The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, and to reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Legend of Montrose Author: Sir Walter Scott Publisher: Fisher Son & Co Date: 1838 The label on the spine with typed text PAT FIC SCO Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, the legend of montrose, sir walter scott, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Newspaper - Clipping, News (Canberra), Boyd and Canberra, 18.10.1971
This article contains an announcement of Robin Boyd's death on Friday 16th October and gives a short summary his career, with emphasis on Canberra buildings and quote from Sir John Overall, Commissioner of the National Capital Development Commission.Grounds and Boyd written on top left in pencil. Their names underlines in text and caption.walsh st library -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Book - Correspondence, E C CROCKFORD, Town Clerk, Port Melbourne Council, Edward C Crockford, Town Clerk, 1895 - 1896
Letterbook of correspondence generated by Town Clerk of Port Melbourne, E.C. CROCKFORD, 1895 -1896local government - town of port melbourne, sandridge lagoon, edward c crockford, town clerks, mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works -
Linton Mechanics Institute and Free Library Collection
Book - Novel, Patton, Frances Gray et al, Good Morning, Miss Dove by Frances Gray Patton, 1955
Novel about a bird.Hardcover book with a crimson cover. 218 pages. Illustrations by Garrett Price.fictionNovel about a bird.frances gray patton, garrett price, birds, fiction -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Geology, Chemical, Physical, and Stratigraphical, 1886
These books were added to the library of the School of Mines Ballaarat in 1889. The author was Joseph Prestwich, who was a Professor of Geology at the University of Oxford.Two brown hard cloth covered books, Vol 1 & vol 2 with gold printing on the front cover and on the spine. .1) has a coloured fold out map of the World opposite the title page .20 has a coloured fold out map of Europe..1) A label is attached to the inside front cover with The School of Mines Ballaarat and the no. 955 and date purchased 14/3/89 (1889) as well as the institutions stamp in several places throughout the book. .2) As above but with no. 956 and on the inside fly is written in pencil 'Stamped in Error' with a Ballarat School of Mines Student Library stamp crossed out.geology, bookplate, library plate, ballarat school of mines library, joseph prestwich, geological map of the world, geological map of europe, hieropolis thermal springs, rockss, ice, volvanoes, earthquakes, metallurgy, shakespeare's cliff dover, wapley, gloucestershire, redruth mining district, fossils, reptilian footprints, chalk, london clay -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Book, japanese ww11 aircraft in colour (Volume 1)
non-fiction -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Poster - WWI Enlistment poster in glass frame
A Poster in glass frame. It depicting a soldier standing in the Middle East and calling Australian to join the Army. It has the text "A call from the Dardanelles" "Coo-ee-won't you come?" -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, St. James 1871-1977, 1977
History of St. James, Lake Rowan, Yundool, Waggarandool, Almonds, Tungamah. G. J. Coles opened his first store in St. James.Cream cover. Sketch of old scenes of buildings on front cover. Continuing on back cover and photographs of author, J. A. Willis and artist B. A. Cooper.victorian history, st james victoria, g j coles -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Book (item) - CAC Collection - Engineering Drawing Practice BS308-2:1985
Part 2: Recommendations For Dimensioning And Tolerancing Of Size -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Newspaper (Collection) - Ansett Airlines - TNT takeover bid, 1972 TNT Takeover Bid Newspapers
Ansett AirlinesCollection of newpapers reporting on TNT takeover bid for Ansett Airlines -
St Kilda Historical Society
Ephemera - Ticket - concert, Christian Brothers' College St Kilda Annual Concert, 1918
Christian Brothers College, St Kilda, was established in 1878 as a private secondary college for boys. Since 2021, following the closure of its sister school for girls, Presentation College Windsor, it has operated as a co-educational school called St Mary's College.Pale blue square card with black printing on one sidePrinted on face: Christian Brothers' College, St. Kilda, ANNUAL CONCERT, St Kilda Town Hall, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1918. Proceeds in aid of Christian Brothers' Training College Jubilee Fund. His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Mannix will Preside. Row J 81 ADMIT ONE This part to be given up at the Door.st kilda town hall, st kilda schools, christian brothers college, christian brothers training college, 1918, 20th century, dr mannix, christian brothers -
Melbourne Legacy
Book, Claude Blatchford, Legacy. The Story of the Melbourne Legacy Club, 1932
Red leather bound copy of Claude Blatchford's account of Legacy with metal Legacy badge on the cover.non-fictionhistory, blatchford, shrine of remembrance -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book, Greg Cameron, Western Mining Corporation's Attempt To Re-Open the Magdala Shaft 1986, 2005
stawell gold mining -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Ephemera - Tram Route Guides, Yarra Trams, "Tram Route Guide", Apr. 2010
Set of 16 Tram Route Guides, published during April 2010. Has the Yarra Trams, TramTracker and Metlink logos, listing the stops, interchanges with bus and other tram services, ticketing zones, estimated frequencies. See Reg Item 5435 for possibly earlier versions. Routes 1, 3/3a,5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67, 70, 72, 75, 82, 78/79, 82, 86/95 and 112trams, tramways, timetables, maps, route 112, west preston, st kilda, route 1, route 3/3a, route 5, route 6, route 8, route 16, route 64, route 67, route 70, route 72, route 82, route 78, route 79, route 82, route 86, route 95, route 112 -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Book - Broken wings of the Samurai The Destruction of the Japanese Airforce, Robert C. Mikesh, February 16th 2024
15cmx 30cmnon-fiction -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - JENNY FOLEY COLLECTION: PROUD LANDMARKS
Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2001. Proud landmarks: the Shamrock Hotel and Bendigo's old Post Office. Date unknown. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Stephen E Ambrose, The victors : the men of World War II, 2004
The Victors is a breathtaking new work from bestselling historian Stephen E. Ambrose. It follows the momentous events of the war from D-Day, 6 June 1944, through to the final days when the Allied soldiers pushed the German troops out of France, chased them across Germany, and, on 7 May 1945, destroyed the Nazi regime. -- back cover.Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.396.non-fictionThe Victors is a breathtaking new work from bestselling historian Stephen E. Ambrose. It follows the momentous events of the war from D-Day, 6 June 1944, through to the final days when the Allied soldiers pushed the German troops out of France, chased them across Germany, and, on 7 May 1945, destroyed the Nazi regime. -- back cover. world war 1939=1945 - campaigns - europe, world war 1939-1945 - us involvement -
Bendigo Military Museum
Newspaper - NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - BENDIGO ADVERTISER, Bendigo Advertiser, "CMF worth $60,000 Annually to Bendigo", 4 Nov. 1977
Newspaper page taken from the Magazine Section of the Bendigo Advertiser dated November 4, 1971. Articles and photos feature Captain K.J. Herdman. Part of the "KEVIN JOHN HERDMAN" no. 397661 collection. See cat No. 5942P for details of his service record.Single broadsheet newspaper page with black and white photographs and text in black type. Reverse features classified advertisements with black and white illustrations,bendigo advertiser, cmf, kevin john herdman -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Film - Film, DVD, SVN Sounds: rockets, firefight, UHI & solo UHI
vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- artillery operations -
Bendigo Military Museum
Poster - POSTER, ANZAC DAY, FRAMED, Australian Government, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Office of Australian War Graves, 2014
Poster - paper, black and white print with foreground silhouette of a statue of a soldier with background muted colour photograph of a group of soldiers. Frame - moulded black plastic with glass front and MDF Board backing; with metal clips.Lettering on poster "ANZAC/ DAY/ 2014/ HONOURING/ REMEMBERING/ THANKING/ RENEWING"framed accessories, poster, anzac day -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book, Jennifer F. O'Donnell, Kawarau
stawell -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Book - Significance 2.0, 2009
The Collections Council of Australia guide to assessing the significance of collectionsThe Collections Council of Australia guide to assessing the significance of collectionsThe Collections Council of Australia guide to assessing the significance of collectionsmuseums, heritage studies -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Leadenhall Press Ltd, The Progress Book an Illustrated Register of The Development of A Child, 1911
Donated by Glenda (Sebire) McLeod, daughter of Mervyn Sebire.Cream hardback book "The Progress Book an Illustrated Register of the Development of a Child". Author J.J. Pilley Ph.D. The title is written in gold lettering at the top.books, children -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Book, Flannel Flower Press, The Complete Australian Old House Catalogue, 2000
"If you own an old house, The Compete Australian Old House Catalogue will save you time, money and effort. Thanks to this book, finding the products, materials, skills and services needed to care for and restore your old house - from the front fence to the chimney pots - is now a simple matter. Ian Evans has collected the names of companies and people who can help you return your house to its original appearance and condition. Some 750 entries list the names of suppliers throughout Australia who specialise in every aspect of building restoration. For the first time, entries include e-mail and website addresses where these are available. Each chapter opens with introductory text which provides concise background information on the subject, drawn from Ian Evans's research into old Australian houses. Practical advice on many aspects of building conservation is combined with authoritative historical information, creating a unique and fascinating blend. The illustrations consist of a selection from old and new building catalogues, together with a wealth of archival and modern photographs. This is a book which belongs in every old house throughout the length and breadth of Australia." - back cover.96 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.non-fiction"If you own an old house, The Compete Australian Old House Catalogue will save you time, money and effort. Thanks to this book, finding the products, materials, skills and services needed to care for and restore your old house - from the front fence to the chimney pots - is now a simple matter. Ian Evans has collected the names of companies and people who can help you return your house to its original appearance and condition. Some 750 entries list the names of suppliers throughout Australia who specialise in every aspect of building restoration. For the first time, entries include e-mail and website addresses where these are available. Each chapter opens with introductory text which provides concise background information on the subject, drawn from Ian Evans's research into old Australian houses. Practical advice on many aspects of building conservation is combined with authoritative historical information, creating a unique and fascinating blend. The illustrations consist of a selection from old and new building catalogues, together with a wealth of archival and modern photographs. This is a book which belongs in every old house throughout the length and breadth of Australia." - back cover.interior decoration -- australia -- equipment and supplies -- directories., houses and domestic architecture. -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Book, Gippsland Heritage Journal - issue 7
-
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Parachute Padre
Canvas and Timber certa 1940non-fiction -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book - Index Book, Ballarat School of Mines and Industries, Ballarat, School of Mines and Industries Ballarat Index Book 1957, 1957
School of Mines is a predecessor of Federation UniversityThis book is an index correspondence of the School of Mines in the 1992 giving us an understanding of the operations of the School of Mines in that era and of the people involved with the institution at that time. It shows projects that were being undertaken at the institution at the time and gives us an historical perspective on project costs and the type of work being doneBrown book with blue spine with Index Book 1957 written on the front and a label with faint ruled.index book, school of mines ballarat, angus and robertson ltd, australian wool bureau, australian institute of political science, ballarat metal pty ltd, e.j barker, baxter and stubbs, g biddington, country roads board, cowley's eureka ironworks, footscray technical school, government printer, henry haymes pty ltd, h.g proctor -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Train Hobby Publications, Locomotive Profile Victorian Railways B Class, 1999
A photographic profile of the streamlined double ended B class Clyde-E.M.D. diesel electric locomotive of the Victorian Railways.Ill, p.48.non-fictionA photographic profile of the streamlined double ended B class Clyde-E.M.D. diesel electric locomotive of the Victorian Railways.railroad operations - victoria, diesel locomotives - victoria - pictorial -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - MEMORIES OF THE GROCERY & SUPERMARKET INDUSTRY BENDIGO
70 page soft cover booklet 'Memories of the Grocery & Supermarket Industry Bendigo' compiled by Bryan Randall. Undated and publisher not recorded. Signed by the author inside front cover 02/03/2016 Cover designs by Carolyn Marrone Illustrated with several B & W photos of shops and people.Bryan Randall -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly 1885 Vol 1
WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly 1885 Vol 1 Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1885 Further Information: John Ferres Government PrinterPaste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, votes and proceedings of the legislative assembly 1885 vol 1