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 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. 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. The History of Ireland Ancient and Modern. Taken from the most authentic records and Dedicated to the Irish brigade Author: Abbé Mac-Geoghegan Translated from the French by Patrick O'Kelly Publisher: James Duffy Date: 1849 This book is covered in leatherLabel on spine cover with typed text PAT 941.5 MAC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has 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, 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, great ocean road, the history of ireland, abbé mac-geoghegan, patrick o'kelly

Index, bib, ill, p.286.non-fictionThis book traces the history, archaeology and legends of Ireland from 9000 B.C. ireland-history, ireland-civilization.

Index, ill., bib. plates. p.221.non-fictionA pictorial account of the history of the Irish people.ireland - history, ireland - social life and customs

Index, ill., p.223.non-fictionThis book was based upon the travels and observations of Richard Lovett. The reader can accompany him on a tour of the length and breadth of Hibernia.ireland - history, ireland - travel

p.108non-fictionThe eight essays which make up this book are the scripts of a group of lectures broadcast by Radio Éireann in the winter of 1955-56 as part of the Thomas Davis series.battles - ireland, ireland - history

Index, ill, plates, p.487.non-fictionThe story of traditional Irish music and its collectors and performersmusic - ireland - history and criticism, musicians - ireland

Index, ill, plates, bib, map, p. 281. non-fictionThis book seeks to present the whole of Ireland - the dark side as well as the light, the greatness as well as the suffering, the enduring victories as well as the humiliating defeats.ireland - civilization, ireland - history

Index, ill, p.246.non-fictionA scholarly study of a period that is central to our past and heritage. Cahill captures the unique sensibility of the unsung Irish who relaunched civilizationireland - history, western civilization - history

Index, p. 724non-fictionThe story of the Irish race: a popular history of Ireland by Seamus MacManus; assisted by several Irish scholars.history - ireland, history - great britain

Index, bib, p.298.non-fictionPart 1 of a 3-part series, the Green Flag, which traces the rise of Irish Nationalism. The focus of this volume, Strongbow - the Great Famine, charts the development of the Irish nationalist impulse.ireland - politics and government, ireland - history - 19th century

p.116.non-fictionThis account of the Easter Rising was first published in October 1916. The text has not been revised thus it retains the sense of immediacy that makes it one of the classic works of the period.ireland - history - dublin, ireland - politics

Index, ill,notes, p.408.non-fictionThis book examines evidence of political killings in Cork, Ireland, between 1921 and1922.ireland - civil war - 1921-22, ireland - history and politics

Bib. p.238.non-fictionThis book provides a wide ranging account of historical writing on Ireland during the 1970s.ireland - historiography, ireland - history

Index, bib, p.223.non-fictionA useful summary of militant activity and a corrective to the conventional orthodoxy which would almost completely dismiss the social dimension of the Irish revolution.labour movement - ireland - history, political activity - working class - ireland

Index, plates, ill., bib, p.177.non-fictionUlick O'Connor's account of his own and his family involvement in the turbulent and violent events which occurred in Ireland during the period, 1912-1922.ireland - politics and government, ireland - history 1912-1922

A book titled ' Strongbow and King Dermot. The story of the Conquest of Ireland. A true narrative of the subjugation and annexation of Ireland. London : Ward, Lock & Co., Salisbury Square, E.C. New York : 10 Bond Street. 305 - 320 pgs. (ill.). This booklet is one of a series of 37 ' Ward & Lock's Penny Books for the People.' ' Historical Series.' Price one penny. There are also advertisements of note.books, biography, irish history, lydia chancellor, collection, ward & lock's penny biographies, biographies, ward & lock's penny books for the people, historical series, history, ireland, irish history, book, books, advertisements, king dermot, oliver cromwell, penny books

ill, maps, p.145. non-fictionHow to trace your ancestors and relatives in Ireland.ireland - geneology, family history - ireland

A book titled 'The Life of Daniel O'Connell the Irish Liberator. The fearless champion of justice to Ireland. The advocate of his countrymen's rights through evil and through good report. The brave and fearless politician.' London : Ward, Lock & Co., Salisbury Square, E.C. 209 - 224 pgs. This booklet is one of a series of 53 ' Ward & Lock's Penny Books for the People.' 'Biographical Series.' Price one penny. There are also advertisements of note. 2 copies.books, biography, daniel o'connell, lydia chancellor, collection, daniel o'connell, the life of daniel o'connell, male, person, individual, ireland, irish history, history, ward & lock's penny historical series, ward & lock's penny books for the people, biographical series, famous people, penny books, advertisements

archives, research, great britain, ireland, family history, genealogy, family tree magazine

Maps, p 64non-fictionA manual produced by a professional genealogist to aid family historians in their quest for Irish forbears.ireland - geneology, ireland - family history

Index, bib, ill, p.194.non-fictionCommemorating the 75th anniversary of the Easter Rising this book re-examines the idealism of Patrick Pearse and the lives and actions of the other leading personalities of that time. It offers a new perspective on modern Irish history based on hitherto undiscovered source material.patrick pearse - biography, ireland - republicanism - history

Paperback, 84 p.family history, ireland

Bib, map, p.304.non-fictionA collection of more than 4000 Irish family names and their county association.geneology - irish, local history - ireland

p.365.non-fictionAustralia's principal scholarly commemoration of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. academic conferences - ireland, irish - australian history

Charts, ill, p.307.non-fictionPapers of the ninth Irish Australian Conference held at Galway in1997academic conferences - ireland, irish australian history

p.192.non-fictionAn account of an incident which occurred in County Cork between IRA and British Forces in 1921.ireland - politics and history, irish republican army