Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat) Ballarat, Vic

The BMI’s core principles outlined in 1859 were “the diffusion of literary, scientific and other useful knowledge and the supply of rational in-door recreation to its members.” While this has evolved somewhat into the current day, the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute is fortunate to have retained a substantial collection of 19th and 20th century material that is representative of the holdings of a large, regional Mechanics’ Institute during that period.
The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute collection of some 16000 heritage books, periodicals and newspapers (approximately 80,000 issues) acquired progressively since 1859 is heritage listed and presents a rare example of the range of reading material available to the citizens of Ballarat and District from the mid 19th century to early part of the 20th century. In addition is the Reference Collection, featuring a large range of directories and other research material.
The collection also includes the Institute’s own Archives dating from c. 1857 including minutes, correspondence, annual reports, lithographs, artifacts and objects, and the newly acquired Max Harris historic Ballarat photography collection.
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Contact Information
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 10-4 Sat 10-12
Entry Fee
Donation
Location
117 Sturt St Ballarat Vic
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The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute collection of some 16000 heritage books, periodicals and newspapers (approximately 80,000 issues) acquired progressively since 1859 is heritage listed and presents a rare example of the range of reading material available to the citizens of Ballarat and District from the mid 19th century to early part of the 20th century. In addition is the Reference Collection, featuring a large range of directories and other research material.
The collection also includes the Institute’s own Archives dating from c. 1857 including minutes, correspondence, annual reports, lithographs, artifacts and objects, and the newly acquired Max Harris historic Ballarat photography collection. These photographs are in the process of being catalogued here.
285 items
285 items

Coliseum Grenville & Lt Bridge St- damaged neg
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Hopetoun House
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat
Historical information
Max Harris Collection, Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Army Funeral Band Playing, Ballarat street
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Fine Art Gallery, Lydiard St
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Begonia Festival Information Office
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

MH9 Town Hall tower looking west towards Doveton St 1970s
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Church & Opportunity Shop Eureka St
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Annual horse Parade Coghlan Boase grayscale
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Church St Alipius Victoria St
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

T.J. Lawless Advertisement
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat
Historical information
Max Harris Collection, Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

View looking west from Bakery Hill 1982
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat
Historical information
Max Harris Collection, Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Ballarat Base Hospital Nurses Home
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Construction of building St John of God hospital
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Charabang outside Union Hotel Sturt St 1913
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Church Holy Trinity Buninyong
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Commonwealth Bank demolition Sturt & Lydiard St
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Gills Boatshed at Lake Wendouree
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Bridge and Peel Sts in flood
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Barkly & Grant St Roadworks
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Begonia Festival Float First Prize
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat

Accident outside Gears Chemist
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat), Ballarat
Historical information
Max Harris Collection, Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute