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New display uncovers history of the Royal Exhibition Building

A new display in the Royal Exhibition Building showcases its rich and eclectic history and explores what makes it a unique, historically significant, World Heritage listed building.

The display interprets the history of the Royal Exhibition Building from its construction in 1879 and Federation in 1901 to its uses and purposes today. It will represent major changes, key events and people through 15 display panels and an interactive AV featuring beautiful historical images that highlight the grandeur of the building.

Inscribed on the World Heritage List on 1 July 2004, the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens remain the only heritage listed structures in Victoria. “As one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings the Royal Exhibition Building epitomises the spirit and history of this city,” said Dr Charlotte Smith, Senior Curator.

“It is the only 19th century Great Hall to survive largely intact, still in its original landscape setting, and still used as an event venue. This new display will reveal its importance throughout Melbourne’s history and enhance visitors’ understanding of this historically significant building.”

Designed by Joseph Reed of architectural firm Reed & Barns, the building has a Rundbogsenstil, or round arc design, and its beauty is shown through a series of images that highlight the external landscape and the grand interior. “The dome of the Royal Exhibition Building is particularly magnificent and features paintings rich in allegorical symbolism. The display allows visitors to get up close to these paintings and delve in to their details and meaning,” said Dr Smith.

A key focus of the display is the building’s use for hosting exhibitions and significant events. The Exhibition Building was built in 1879 to host the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. This Exhibition opened on 1 October 1880, featured over 32,000 exhibits from 33 nations around the world and attracted over 1.3 million people. Following the popularity of the Melbourne International Exhibition, the Melbourne Centennial International Exhibition opened on 1 August 1888 and commemorated 100 years of white settlement of Australia.

Momentous occasions such as the opening of the first Australian Federal Parliament on 9 May 1901 are explored in depth. Lesser-known events are also explored. For example, on 4 February 1919, the Exhibition Building was turned into a hospital to treat Melburnians struck down by the Spanish flu, accommodating 4046 people until mid-August 1919. Between March 1941 and December 1945 the RAAF occupied the building, and in 1949 a migrant reception centre on the oval at the rear of the building provided temporary accommodation for thousands of recent arrivals from Britain.

Museum Victoria has been the custodian of the building since 1996 and continues to ensure its survival and restoration. Earlier this year, a project that transformed the western forecourt from a car park to the Building’s original gardens was completed. This redevelopment is based on gardens and landscaping from the 1880s and features a water harvesting system and vast 1.35 million litre underground storage tanks.

The new display in the Royal Exhibition Building will be open to the public for the first time during the Melbourne Open House weekend on 30 and 31 July 2011. Following this, visitors are able to view the display through a guided tour of the Building at 2pm most days, subject to availability. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3.50 for concessions. Bookings are recommended, call 13 11 02.