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Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Bottle, McKenzies - Large, Mid 20th Century
McKenzies operated a cordial and softdrink manufacturing business in the mid 20th century in Warrnambool. An example of manufacturing business in Warrnambool.Two clear glass bottles with white and black logo on front and white writing on back. Bottom of the neck has nine ridges broken on both sides by circle containing McKenzie in the glass. Rusted metal cap.KcKenzies, the drink with a happy taste. Contents manufactured by Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. Preservative added Artificially coloured. Net Contents 26 FL. OZ. 39 on base.warrnambool, mckenzie soft drink, soft drink bottle -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Bottle, McKenzies - small, Mid 20th Century
McKenzies operated a cordial and softdrink manufacturing business in the mid 20th century in Warrnambool. An example of manufacturing business in Warrnambool.Clear glass bottle with white and black logo on front and white writing on back. Bottom of the neck has nine ridges broken on both sides by circle containing McKenzie in the glass. McKenzies, the drink with a happy taste. Contents manufactured by Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. Preservative added Artificially coloured. Net Contents 7 FL. OZ warrnambool, mckenzie soft drink, soft drink bottle. -
Orbost & District Historical Society
catheter, c. mid 20th century
Used at Orbost & District Hospital c. mid 20th century for urinary problems.This item is associated with Orbost Hospital and is an example of an early medical tool.A long metal catheter with a curved end, made of metal, possibly stainless steel. It has a small eyelet hole near the curved end. Inside is a fine metal tube. It has a red tag ORBOST. medical-instrument catheter -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Fox Fur Stole, early to mid 20th century
This stole came from the Murray family of Warrnambool. Mrs Stan Murray was the daughter of Archibald and Olive Mathieson and Archibald's parents resided in Naringal in the first half of the 20th century. Fox fur stoles were popular (but often costly) women's clothing items in the early to mid 20th century.This item is retained as an interesting memento of women's clothing in the past.This is light brown fox fur stole with tabs at the end with a leather lining. The stole is lined with brown material and has a metal clip at both ends. women's vintage clothing -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Official Record of The Debates of The Australasian Federal Convention Victoria Vol 2
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 area 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 during 1942 to 1942 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. 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. Official Record of The Debates of The Australasian Federal Convention Victoria Vol 2 Third Session. Melbourne 20th January to 17th March 1898 Publisher: Government Printer Melb Date: 1898Label on spine is unreadable Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, official record of the debates of the australasian federal convention victoria vol 2 -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Print - Contact Print - Pastoral Scene, 1960-1979
Black and white contact print from glass plate negative. Image shows 5 women standing on top of weir, in a bush setting. Dress plate 19th, early 20th century. -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Group of people in a bush clearing, n.d
Black and white photo mounted on heavy card. Group of 22 men and women posing in a bush clearing, unknown location in Portland. Estimated dress late 19th, early 20th Century.Front: 'Portland Victoria' - pen Back: 'Thin Cards for Framing Purposes' - pen -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Bonnet, late 1800s - early 1900s
This style of bonnet was commonly worn outdoors by women in South West Victoria in the late 1800s - early 1900sThe bonnet is significant as a typical of women's outdoor headwear in Australia in the late 19th and early 20th century.Ladies outdoor bonnet, white cotton with narrow mauve stripes and small flowers. Bonnet is trimmed with frills and straps to tie under the chin. Dated late 19th to early 20th century.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ladies bonnet, outdoor bonnet, hat, bonnet, headwear, ladies clothing, late 19th century bonnet, early 20th century bonnet, women's fashion, australian fashion, australian millinery -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - COHN BROTHERS COLLECTION: HANDWRITTEN INCOME TAX OFFICE NOTE
Three pages Income Tax Office note paper handwritten correspondence relating to J T Brown and his tax returns for 1902. 19th, 20th and 23rd march 1902 dates.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - CURNOW COLLECTION: RECEIPT OF APPLICATION, 1887
Printed receipt/acknowledgement of application for space in connection with the (Geelong) Jubilee Juvenile & Industrial Exhibition, November 1887. From J. H. Curnow (Sectary), unsigned and dated 20th September 1887person, individual, curnow collection -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - COHN BROTHERS COLLECTION: 1895 HANDWRITTEN MEMORANDUM
Printed Cohn Bros Memorandum dated 20th May 1895 with handwritten addressed to the Chairman & Directors of Victoria Brewery Bendigo re: examination of company books signed B. W. Smith.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS NO 3770 COLLECTION: MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Blue paper dated Feb 20th 1868. I hereby certify that Geo Trevarton of Long Gully is unable to follow his usual employment. Signed H. L. Atkinson. M.D.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no 3770 collection - medical certificate, court king of the forest, geo trevarton, h l atkinson -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Bain Attwood et al, A life together, a life apart : a history of relations between Europeans and Aborigines, 1994
A history of several Aboriginal reserves, containing long transcribed narratives from those who lived there as well as letters and general information about Aboriginal-white relations in the early 20th century.B&w photographssevington, cummeragunja, moonahcullah, victorian history, new south wales history, race relations, racism, government relations, indigenous reserves, oral histories -
Brimbank City Council
Manilla Folder
Manilla folder with a number of various sizes envelopes containing black and white phots form around mid 20th century of councillors, residents, street. Aslo number of urban plans and maps. -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Print, Kew Railway Station in the early 1900s
Kew Railway Station (1887-1959). ‘Kew Railway Station’ in Denmark Street was the terminus of the Kew Line, which extended from Hawthorn Station to just south of Wellington Street. The Station opened on 19 December 1887 after a prolonged campaign for a railway by the people of Kew. Due to a decline in patronage, the passenger service ceased operations in August 1952. While a freight service continued for another five years, the line and station were officially closed on 13 May 1957. Subsequently demolished in 1959, the headquarters of VicRoads (formerly Country Roads Board) now stands on the former Station site.This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A photographic copy of a book plate from 'Kew's Civic Century' (1960) by W.D. Vaughan. The book plate was itself a copy of an early 20th century postcard depicting the Kew Railway Station."Railway opened 1887 - Then as photo states"kew railway station, dorothy rogers, country roads board, vicroads -
Clunes Museum
Poster, MAY 2007
GARDENSCOLOURED POSTER PASTED ONTO PURPLE CARD. "CELEBRATION OF THE VILLAGES". EXHIBITION. CLUNES HISTORIC GARDENS. QUEENS PARK AND SEBASTOPOL GARDENS. HOLLY BARKELL GALLERY. MAY 3RD-20TH 2007.exhibition, holly barkell gallery, queens park -
The Ed Muirhead Physics Museum
Resistance Decade Box, mid-20th Century
This object is believed to be associated with training at the Parkville Secondary Teaching College during the 20th Century.Related to objects 450 and 452This rectangular wooden resistance decade box features four large dials for controlling resistances. The dials are mounted atop a black plastic panel, each with a square base. Three smaller dials are mounted to the right of the large dials.Embossed plaque at front: 'J. L. WILLIAM / SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS / SERIAL No 3960 / TYPE RB4DS / MELBOURNE / AUSTRALIA' Engraved and filled white on top plate from left to right: 'ABSOLUTE OHMS AT 20 C / MANGANIN' Logo reading: 'J. L. WILLIAM / SCIENTIFIC / INSTRUMENTS / MELBOURNE / SERIAL No 3960' 'ZERO RESISTANCE / 0.004 OHM' Engraved on back edge of top panel: 'SECONDARY TEACHER COLLEGE PARKVILLE' Dials are labelled underneath with unit measurements for resistance settings, engraved and in-filled white.j. l. william, decade box, electrical equipment, resistance decade box, scientific instruments -
Orbost & District Historical Society
black and white photograph, April 20 1970
Sir Henry Bolte, premier of Victoria, renamed Cape Everard at Point Hicks during the Centenary of Cook's Landings on April 20, 1970. There is no land feature at Cook's coordinates of 38°0'S and 148°53'E, a point which lies several miles out to sea and under 50 fathoms of water. Captain Cook invented Point Hicks so that he could conceal Bass Strait and the insularity of Tasmania. The Admiralty had issued its usual instructions to hide strategically important discoveries that could become security risks. Captain Hicks was James Cook`s senior lieutenant. There has been some dispute as to whether Zachary Hicks actually saw Point Hicks or whether he saw Ram Head about 20 kilometres further up the coast. Although Cook named the promontory Point Hicks it was changed to Cape Everard in 1843.. In 1970 the Victorian government changed the name Cape Everard to 'Point Hicks'. It lies on dry land, about 22 nautical miles (41 km) northeast of Cook's phantom Point Hicks, where it preserves the story of Cook's first landfall in Australia. This is a contemporary pictorial record of a significant event in East Gippsland's history.A black / white photograph of a man in a suit making a speech with the audience standing behind him. He is standing in front of an octagonal-shaped directional marker set ointo a stone support. There is a policeman behind him. In the background to the right is a lighthouse.on front - "20th April 1970, Sir Henry Bolte renames C. Everard as Pt Hicks" handwritten in block letterscook-james-point-hicks cape-everard bolte-henry -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document - Obituary Gideon Nicol, 2014
Gideon Nicol (1836-1908) was a seaman who came to Warrnambool in 1858. In 1865 he selected land at Mount Warrnambool. He was one of the founders of the Farnham Cheese and Butter Factory and the Garvoc Cheese and Butter Factory and was a Warrnambool Shire Councillor from 1879 to 1906. This scan will be useful to include in the Gideon Nicol fileThis is an A4 sheet of paper (scan). The obituary is printed in black and white with an ornate border with some discoloration on the outer edges.In Loving Remembrance of Gideon Nicol who died March 20th 1908, R.I.P. (an extract from the Warrnambool Standard follows)gideon nicol, warrnambool, gideon nicol obituary -
Bendigo Military Museum
Card - CARD, SYMPATHY, Nestor, Post Sept 1917
William BOLITHO No 3252 enlisted on 2.7.1915 age 18 years, embarked for Egypt 11.10.1915 then to France in 1916, No Known grave.Card, folding, colour, front has crossed flags, inside photo in circle inset with small note of thanks from the BOLITHO family, opposite page details re W BOLITHO and 4 lines.“In Memoriam - Pte William BOLITHO 6th Battn A.I.F - killed in France September 20th 1917 aged 20 years”sympathy cards, in memoriam -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BIBLE BOOK, Bible Society of Australia, Good News New Testament, early 1980s
Item carried by Malcolm Stuart Angus No 3112710.Small brown Bible, vinyl covered book with Australian army logo and title in gold."Presented to Cpl Angus by the Bible Society of Australia" "Exercise Northern Warrior 20th August 84 Chaplain Ted Brooker"books-religion, military equipment-new testament -
The Ed Muirhead Physics Museum
Tube, Neutron counter
Boron Triflouride neutron proportional counter. Long glass tube covered in black enamelCello taped label: “20th Century Electronics” “Type G.60 Operate at 1250 Volts No. KK854” “Made in England” -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Colour Print, Lilian Butler, 20/09/1971 12:00:00 AM
Yields information about the disposal of tramcars from the SEC Ballarat system to the TMSV following closure.Colour print of Ballarat tramcar 17, being prepared for loading at the SEC Ballarat depot with poles supporting the overhead and a person (Mr Ward?) standing on the roof of the tramcar. Photo taken 20/9/1971. Item was placed in an envelope marked "Mr. G Ward" - retained with photograph in storage folder. Photo printed on Kodak Paper. Photograph by Lilian Butler?in ink on rear "Tram Depot - Wendouree Parade, Ballarat Monday 20th September 1971. With my compliments Lilian Butlertrams, tramways, tmsv, tram disposal, sec, depot, loading trams, tram 17 -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book, Ida Stanton, Myrtlebank under Lake Bellfield, 2003
THe history of Myrtle bank, Halls gap and the GrampiansPale yellow card covers with plastic binding. drawing of a lake with a small boat and a man fishing. lower drawing two buildings one with four chimneys, and a wagon out the front.Myrtle Bank Under Lake Bellfield Produced by the Halls Gap & Grampians Historical society in celebration of it's 20th Year.stawell grampians -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Personal items, Beads, hair clip and safety pin, Early 20th century
These items would have been worn or used by a woman in the early 20th century for decorative purposes.These items have no known provenance and are retained for display purposes.These are two necklaces, one red double stringed and one amber coloured with graduated glass beads. Both are tied together with cotton. Attached to the cotton is one metal pin and one metal hair curler. beads, hair curler, house hold items -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Documents, Bag Clarke's Newsagency, Mid 20th century
Names a newsagent who operated in Liebig Street in mid 20th century. G W. ClarkeTypical wrapping paper of the time and provides a list of items typically sold by newsagents at that time.Cream paper bag, with dark blue text inside a rectangular boxCLARKE’S/FOR CARDS/NEWSAGENTS/STATIONERY, BOOKS, GAMES,/SOUVENIRS, MUSIC, PAPER BACKS, ETC./ LIEBIG STREET, WARRNAMBOOL/ Phone: 2407warrnambool, clarke’s, liebig street, stationery, newsagents, clarke gw -
Orbost & District Historical Society
pantaloons, c. late 19th, early 20th century
Handmade white cotton pantaloons typical of underclothing from the late 19th and early 20th century.White cotton pantaloons or bloomers worn as women's underwear. A button at both sides of the waist/top. The legs are trimmed with broderie anglais lace. This item is handmade (homemade). womens-underwear -
Australian Queer Archives
Uniform - Textiles, Mann, Roger, Roger Mann's Griffin Motor Club overlay, c1970s-1980s, 1976-1996
Blue denim overlay (sleeveless jacket), with main back patch for the Griffin Motor Club, Canberra. Additional patches on the back include an Australian flag, and on the front include South Pacific Motor Club (SPMC), SPMC 20th Anniversary, Griffin MC 20th Anniversary, Griffin MC Associate Membership, Jackaroo MC Associate Membership, Southern Cross MC Associate Membership, Jackaroos Tasmania Run 1981, BMW, Australian National University (ANU) and unidentified.motorcycle club, gay, canberra -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Domestic object - Laundry Tub, early to mid 20th century
This tub probably dates from the early to mid 20th century and would have been a common item in households in those times. It could have been used for laundry items or for other washing processes in the kitchen. Wash houses in the early to mid 20th century were usually separate buildings or sheds outside of the house.This item is retained for display and discussion purposesThis is an oval- shaped metal tub wider at the top than at the base. It has a ridged top, a strengthening metal band around the base and two metal handles. It is somewhat rusty.vintage household items, warrnambool & district historical society collection -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, From Log-Cabin To White House
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 has 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 1850’s 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. 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. From Log-Cabin To White House Author: William Thayer Publisher: Ward Lock & Co Further Information: The Warrnambool Public Library date July 1946. Life of James A. Garfield. Boyhood, Youth, Manhood, Assassination 20th President of the U.S.A. The label on spine cover has typed text R.H. 923.1 GAR flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, from log-cabin to white house, william thayer, james a. garfield, 20th president of united state of america