Gwen Barton McWilliam (nee: Nelson), OAM, BA (1933- ). Gwen McWilliam is well known as an authority on the history of Boroondara and the author of a large number of books and pamphlets about the City. She was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia in 2001 ‘for service to the community of Hawthorn and district, particularly through the research, documentation and publication of its history.’ Primary source annotated by a distinguished local historian.Plan of number of areas in the City of Heidelberg showing municipal and ward boundaries, subsequently annotated by the historian Gwen McWilliam, identifying significant landholdings, subdivisions and key dates.The base map was printed in 1970 and annotated c.1993. The plan was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Gwen McWilliam. Handwritten annotations by Gwen McWilliam, 1993city of heidelberg, maps -- heidelberg (vic.), gwen mcwilliam

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including in this instance, street beautification.Kew City Council workers installing planter boxes in High Street, Kew. Junction in distance at left.street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.)

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of public parking in South Melbourne, perhaps used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), south melbourne, carparks, signs

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia monochrome positive of Council workers spreading bitumen in Studley Park Road, Kew.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Spreading premixed material on Studley Park Road with drag spreader, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia monochrome positive of Studley Park Road, Kew.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Studley Park Road after surfacing with one coat of premixed material spread with drag, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia monochrome positive of Council workers standing on and beside a dray in Studley Park Road, Kew while resurfacing of the street was taking place. The Kew Junction is just visible behind the men.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Spreading premixed material on Studley Park Road with drag spreader, view from rear of machine, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia photographic positive of a drag used to spread bitumen in Studley Park Road, Kew.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Drag spreader used for premixed material on Studley Park Road, showing end of strip just with spread, with unsurfaced work on left and completed section on right, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia photographic positive of Studley Park Road, Kew while resurfacing of the street was taking place. The Kew Junction is just visible in the distance. Boys sitting on a drum at right. Behind them is the brick fence and front entrance to Tara Hall.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Studley Park Road showing drag spread surfacing with premixed material, unrolled material on the right, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia photographic positive of Studley Park Road, Kew while resurfacing of the street was taking place. Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Spreading premixed material on Studley Park Road with drag spreader, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, South Road, Moorabbin, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph of South Road, Moorabbin, west of Jasper Road, looking east depicts steel poles with two lamps in a median strip and supply wires from pole to pole. The poles were described as 100′ apart. The notation on the rear of the photograph was that there were lamps along the median strip except at intersections. A wooden pole is recognised as supporting heavy supply lines across the road. The steel poles in the photograph were said to be between 3′ to 3.5′ whereas the wooden poles were three to 12.25″ in diameter. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.] Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.2 South Road - Moorabbin, west of Jasper Road, looking east. Steel poles with two lamps in median strip and supply wires from pole to pole along median strip (poles only 100' apart). Lamps along median only except at intersections. Wooden pole supports heavy supply lines across the road. Wooden poles 3' up and 8 1/2" dia. Wooden poles 3' up and 12 1/2 dia." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."public infrastructure -- kew (vic.), city of kew - engineers department

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, South Road, Moorabbin, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph of South Road, Moorabbin, west of Jasper Road, looking east depicts steel poles with two lamps in a median strip and supply wires from pole to pole. The poles were described as 100′ apart. The notation on the rear of the photograph was that there were lamps along the median strip except at intersections. A wooden pole is recognised as supporting heavy supply lines across the road. The steel poles in the photograph were said to be between 3′ to 3.5′ whereas the wooden poles were three to 12.25″ in diameter. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.] Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.2 South Road - Moorabbin, west of Jasper Road, looking east. Steel poles with two lamps in median strip and supply wires from pole to pole along median strip (poles only 100' apart). Lamps along median only except at intersections. Wooden pole supports heavy supply lines across the road. Wooden poles 3' up and 8 1/2" dia. Wooden poles 3' up and 12 1/2 dia." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."city of kew -- engineers department, public infrastructure -- kew (vic.)

City of Heidelberg showing Municipal and Ward boundaries, prepared by City Engineers Department. Made for Council use; copies available for sale to the public.Blueprint, 2 copies, one with some roads hand coloured, showing municipal and ward boundaries. Scale: 20 chains to 1 inchG. M. Hutchins. Authorised charge 50c.city of heidelberg, heidelberg

One of three traffic warning lanterns donated by the City of Kew in 1984. The lanterns were used by the City Engineers Department for emergency street lighting to indicate dangerous conditions. The red glass in the lanterns symbolically represented danger.The Kew Historical Society is fortunate that the City Engineer, Mr Poulter, donated a number of items held by the City of Kew to the Society for safekeeping, rather than identifying them for destruction. The most significant items donated included old maps, including those issued by the Board of Works. Other items included photographs of public works undertaken by the Department. These traffic warning lanterns, while less historically significant, are indicative of a period of rapid urban development in the district during the post war period.City of Kew warning lantern (left) previously located in various streets and plant nurserytraffic lanterns -- city of kew, emergency lighting, public works -- kew (vic.)

One of three traffic warning lanterns donated by the City of Kew in 1984. The lanterns were used by the City Engineers Department for emergency street lighting to indicate dangerous conditions. The red glass in the lanterns symbolically represented danger.The Kew Historical Society is fortunate that the City Engineer, Mr Poulter, donated a number of items held by the City of Kew to the Society for safekeeping, rather than identifying them for destruction. The most significant items donated included old maps, including those issued by the Board of Works. Other items included photographs of public works undertaken by the Department. These traffic warning lanterns, while less historically significant, are indicative of a period of rapid urban development in the district during the post war period.City of Kew warning lantern (centre) previously located in various streets and plant nurserytraffic lanterns

One of three traffic warning lanterns donated by the City of Kew in 1984. The lanterns were used by the City Engineers Department for emergency street lighting to indicate dangerous conditions. The red glass in the lanterns symbolically represented danger.The Kew Historical Society is fortunate that the City Engineer, Mr Poulter, donated a number of items held by the City of Kew to the Society for safekeeping, rather than identifying them for destruction. The most significant items donated included old maps, including those issued by the Board of Works. Other items included photographs of public works undertaken by the Department. These traffic warning lanterns, while less historically significant, are indicative of a period of rapid urban development in the district during the post war period.City of Kew warning lantern (right) previously located in various streets and plant nurserytraffic lanterns

Norman Oliver collection. Councillor and sometime Mayor of the City of Bendigo. Twenty pages of typed notes with the date 18th April written in pencil in the margin of the front page. Found in sequence of 1951 notes. Topics include the Library, and subtitled paragraphs on the Floral display, the Commonwealth Jubilee bicycle relay, the City Council meeting, Anzac Day, the City Engineer's Department, the Town Planning conference, Playing grounds and the Combined schools centenary sports meeting.bendigo, council, speech notes, councillor norman oliver, sometime mayor of bendigo. radio station 3bo 'the mayor speaks'. bendigo centenary 1951.

Photograph of a footpath in High Street Kew, probably donated by the City of Kew's Engineer's Department.Small, original colour positive [polaroid] photograph of the footpath on the north side of High Street, Kew, looking towards Kew Junction from the vicinity of the Greyhound Hotel."Looking back from pub / High St footpath / 22/8/89"high street -- kew (vic.), street works, footpaths

''History of Bendigo Saleyards''. This document is comprised of a paper titled 'Going, Going, Gone'' and as a history of the saleyards, appears to have been written /authorized by Mr John Quinlan (Convenor, Historical Field Day Committee, Department of Agriculture) see covering letter from C C Campbell, City Engineer. Covers history from 1861; reference to abattoirs on site; railway spur; Country Roads Board; Wellsford Forest site; Marong site. Other part of document is a list of various dates with short description of activity for that year from 1861 to September 1984 - this list is by M (Malcolm) Styles of City Engineers Department. Reference to Bendigo East Bowling Club; Bendigo East Swimming Pool.Mr John Quinlanbendigo, business, bendigo saleyards, mr a.m. lloyd, bendigo east bowling club, bendigo east swimming pool.

Surveyors report 1986 regarding the restoration of the Bendigo Cenotaph continued on from Cat No 8255. The document starts with a report to a Council meeting held on August 18th 1986. This is a more detailed report of the first by Dr. A.H. Spry (AMDEL) followed by Mr W. Barton City Engineers Department. The state of the Cenotaph was also compounded by it's situation re the Bendigo Creek. Main points where. The Cenotaph is sited on the Bridge over the Creek not alongside it as was supposed. The Cenotaph concrete foundation was resting on the old timber decking which is in an advanced state of decay among 5 main points. Report goes on with points. Conclusion; "It would of course be necessary to demolish the Cenotaph to carry out this work". Estimate of costs in brief. 1. Bridge repairs $72,000.00. 2. Cenotaph repairs. - Demolish & rebuild $110,000.00. Options - There are only two options (as per estimate) or demolish and relocate to another location under 3 sections (a) (b) (c). Recommendations; Motions referred to Estimates 1986/87 and RSL for comments - 1 carried, 1 lost.Document, paper 3 pages foolscap size, all print in black, copy of original, stapled with the pages is a Bendigo City Compliments Card in blue text.Main points, "Building Surveyors report - 8th September 1986 - B.18/86 - restoration of Cenotaph (32.7.1)"document, surveyor, cenotaph, brsl, smirsl

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) was established by an act of the Victorian Parliament in 1890 to prepare for and to implement a sewerage and water reticulation system across what was then inner Melbourne, its surrounding and middle distance suburbs, including Kew. The MMBW was disbanded in 1991.The map collection of the Kew Historical Society has at its core the historic maps assembled and originally stored in the City Engineer's Department of the City of Kew. These include maps in a number of scales. The vast majority of maps were produced by the MMBW in the first two decades of the twentieth century, and are solid working maps, backed by linen for durability. These maps are historically significant to Kew, the City of Boroondara and to the history of the development of state utilities in Victoria. A number of the Kew maps have additional details added by former municipal officers, including the levels reached by various floods. As these were working documents, information was added to them long after the period of their initial production and distribution.Early map of the Town of Kew, created after 1910, at a scale 440 ft to 1 inch. The 'assembled' map by the City of Kew Engineer's Department includes scaled down copies of The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works maps, Nos. 39, 40, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, and 117. The map covers the entirety of the Town of Kew, bordered on its north and west by the River Yarra, by Burke Road in the East and Barkers Road in the south. The map shows the extent of urban development by that time, prominent institutions and the outlines of built structures in the municipality. TOWN OF KEW / SCALE 400 FEET TO 1 INCHmelbourne & metropolitan board of works, mmbw maps, mmbw plans, town of kew, cartography

Hard cover, olive green cover with brown protective cloth on corners. Page edges have colored marble pattern. non-fictionLibrary record book from the Warrnambool Mechanics Institute known as an "Accessions Book" the book shows the type and number of books as listed in the Mechanics Institute. This specific volume is part of the Pattison Collection, named after Ralph Eric Pattison, the city librarian who began the Herculean task of organising the (WMI) massive, disorganised collection in 1935. The Record books from this period are "meticulous records" that typically include. titles and Authors of all books purchased or donated. Acquisition Dates Providing a timeline of the districts literary and intellectual interests. Costs and Suppliers often showing books ordered from Melbourne or overseas. In addition how the books were classified and how the library was organised before modern Dewey Decimal systems were fully implemented. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) Accessions Book (1913–1922) is a primary historical record that documents the acquisition of library materials during a pivotal era for the institution. In UK in early 1800's the word 'mechanic' was applied to a broader range of skills such as working man, tradesman or artisan. Mechanics' Institutes were formed originally for voluntary, self-funded organisations, to improve the education of working men and to instruct them on their various trades. The germ of the idea came from a class formed in 1799 by Professor George Birbeck in Glasgow, Scotland, for journeymen mechanics (apprentice trade workers), with the first Institutes being organised in London and Manchester in the 1820's. By then the original aim had broadened and the Mechanics' Institutes were established as popular agencies of adult education. The Mechanics' Institutes were run by committees that provided facilities for a meeting room, hall suitable for lectures, and a library. Funding was raised locally and often supplemented by grants from government agencies for the purchase of books and other resources. Activities were community based. In Australia, Mechanics' Institutes were set up in New South Wales and in Tasmania in the late 1820's. Mechanics' Institutes began in Victoria, with the first one in Melbourne dating from 1839, providing similar services but in time offered services tailored to their specific area.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, warrnambool mechanics' institute, mechanics' institute records warrnambool, record book c1918, patterson collection, library books, ralph patterson, mechanics institute, warrnambool council, book collection

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 November1884 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 fund raising 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 court house 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 historic 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 Historic 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 art works 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. Historical Records of Australia Series 1 Vol 19 Governor's Despatches To and From England. July 1837 - January 1839 Publisher: Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament Date: 1923Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, 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, historical records of australia series 1 vol 19, july 1837 - january 1839

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 November1884 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 fund raising 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 court house 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 historic 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 Historic 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 art works 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. Historical Records of Australia Series 1 Vol 20 Governor's Despatches To and From England. February 1839 - September 1840 Publisher: Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament Date: 1924Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, 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, historical records of australia series 1 vol 20, february 1839 - september 1840