The history of the (now) Canberra Hotel on the corner of Creswick Road and Macarthur Street. The first hotel on the site was called The Cornubian Hotel, a single-storey timber building constructed in 1861. The first licensee was William Ball (or Bull), but following his death in 1863, the license was transferred to Margaret Maule, […]
From the Curator | History of the Canberra Hotel Read More »
Christmas time in Ballart allows us to feature the long-time producer of a Christmas banquet staple, George Farmer’s ham and bacon curing works on Eureka Street. George Farmer first set up his curing business in 1864. Farmer reportedly travelled to America and Europe to investigate curing methods and adapt his findings to “Australian tastes and
From the Curator | Christmas time George Farmers Read More »
This work is the large painting between the stairs leading to the Humffray Room. It seems it was left over from the BMI Art Union of 1874 and an arrangement was made with the artist Mr Burtt for the BMI to retain it… The frame has been professionally restored and re-gilded, and the painting cleaned by
Rex’s Snippets | Governor Sir Charles Darling Read More »
How about a journey in a Withers’ White Char-à-banc?The char-à-banc, which comes from the French “carriage with benches”, was a horse-drawn vehicle or later, motor coach. They were open-topped and were often used for taking large parties on sight-seeing adventures. Withers started his char-à-banc business in 1907, escorting Melbournites on sight-seeing trips around country Victoria.A four-day
From the Curator | Fancy taking a jaunt to the country this weekend? Read More »
1. MH1335 Ballarat Post Office, post 1905. Max Harris Collection. Note the disappearing electric tram lines – some crude early photoshop! For today’s #flashbackfriday, we are featuring the old Ballarat Post Office. In the early days of the Ballarat Goldfields, the swelling population were forced to trek three miles to the Buninyong Post Office to
From the Curator | Post Office Gallery Read More »
In the 1870’s the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute was the recipient of three volumes of plant specimens, or herbariums, compiled by Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller. Mueller was the first government botanist for the Colony of Victoria, serving from 1853 to 1896, and Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria from 1857 to 1873. Mueller believed that
From the Curator | Living Heritage Read More »
If our Living Heritage Exhibition on Baron Ferdinand von Mueller’s plant specimens whet your appetite for all things botany, we have just the news for you! The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has just launched a searchable online database of Mueller’s surviving correspondence, with more than 11,500 letters currently available to peruse. Mueller is believed to
From the Curator | Baron Ferdinand von Mueller Read More »
On the corner of what came to be Sturt and Lydiard Streets was originally a 160 foot deep mine shaft known as ‘Bath’s Claim’. A former miner recollected that as men descended the shaft in slings they looked like “strings of onions going down a cellar.”After the shaft was abandoned for more promising leads, a
From the Curator | National Mutual Building Read More »
Dana Street Primary School first opened as a National School in 1857, with a modest 50 pupils. The “neat and commodious” bluestone school house was a far cry from the tent schools serving the children of the goldfields. The first teachers were Charles Martin and his wife, and the school came to be known as
From the Curator | Dana Street Primary School Read More »
Would you like easy access to our image collection?Find out more… Image Collection Membership
Rex’s Snippets | BMI Image Collection Read More »
Fundraiser for Ballarat RSL & BMI
$33 per person
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Calling for Pre-loved books
These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities
We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Bubbly on arrival featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop
Sunday 6 September at 2pm - Cost $65
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar
Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40
Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.
Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges.
