STATE LIBRARY AND NATIONAL MUSEUM COMPLEX
304-328 SWANSTON STREET MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY
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Statement of Significance
This place is included on the Victorian Heritage Inventory, for its potential to contain historical archaeological remains associated with the settlement and growth of early Melbourne. Under the terms of the Heritage Act 2017 there is protection for all historical archaeology sites and objects in the state.
Please visit the Heritage Victoria website to find out more about the Heritage Inventory.
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STATE LIBRARY AND NATIONAL MUSEUM COMPLEX - History
Heritage Inventory History of Site: Date of first documented occupation, 1854Heritage Inventory Description
STATE LIBRARY AND NATIONAL MUSEUM COMPLEX - Heritage Inventory Description
1855 Map - small 'Public Library' building at rear of site.1866 Map - much larger/extended building.
Heritage Inventory Significance: THE SWANSTON STREET WING OF THE STATE LIBRARY: LA TROBE INITIATED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LIBRARY AND IN 1853 FUNDS WERE VOTED FOR A SPECIAL BUILDING WITH REDMOND BARRY CHAIRING THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. JOSEPH REED WON THE DESIGN COMPETITION FOR THE LIBRARY IN 1854. WORK COMMENCED SOON AFTERWARDS AND CONTINUED IN STAGES. BY 1870, THE CENTRAL PORTION COMPRISING THE PORTICO AND THE FIRST FLOOR READING ROOMS WAS COMPLETE. THE LONG FACADE, WHICH REMAINS FAITHFUL TO REED'S EARLY DESIGN, WAS COMPLETED IN 1961. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS AMONGVICTORIA'S OLDEST INSTITUTIONS AND REMAINS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MELBOURNE'S CULTURE. ONE OF THE CITY'S EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS, IT REFLECTS THE GOLDEN OPTIMISM OF 1853. IT IS AMONG JOSEPH REED'S EARLIEST LARGE SCALE WORKS AND IS HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT FOR ITS SIZE AND COMPOSITIONS. THE FACADE DECORATION IS DISTINCTIVE AND TYPICAL OF REED'S OFFICE. THE FIRST FLOOR READING ROOMS ARE ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE ORIGINAL INTERIORS AND ARE AMONG THE GRANDEST IN THE STATE. THE MAIN FACADE HAS BEEN ADDED TO OVER AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD BUT REMAINS INTACT ESSENTIALLY. MOST OF THE INTERIOR HAS BEEN MODERNIZED, THE FIRST FLOOR READING ROON REMAINS INTACT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.
Archeological Potential: Extant bldg Fabric,Potential/Disturbed
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FORMER CARLTON AND UNITED BREWERYVictorian Heritage Register H0024
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ROSAVILLEVictorian Heritage Register H0408
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MEDLEY HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0409
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