Melbourne Town Hall—Art and Heritage Collection Store
Description
The City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection contains over 15,000 artworks and artefacts, ranging from the 1830s to present day. Each of these objects is connected to a time, place and community and tells a unique story.
Occupying a halfway point between the eclecticism common to a private collection and the ambition of a state museum, the collection is big enough to reflect the city and its narrative, yet small enough to stay connected to the people who have and do live, work and play here.
The Collection store is located in the historic Melbourne Town Hall. Completed in 1870, Town Hall is at the heart of the city’s cultural and civic activity—many of the decisions that have helped shape Melbourne were made within this heritage-listed building. A mix of bluestone and Tasmanian freestone, this classically designed building features fine masonry, a clock tower, council chambers, a large auditorium with a grand organ, and an impressive portico where the Beatles waved to crowds in 1964.
Join us for a free guided tour of the Art and Heritage Collection store as we share knowledge, celebrate a diversity of stories and look at this city and its past from different perspectives.
What's On
Join a tour led by specialist guides who will share the stories behind key artworks and artefacts in the collection store.
Arranged according to thematically-organised chapters, key tour themes include: Melbourne city events such as Moomba and the 1956 Olympic Games; city management; Town Hall and ceremonial-related items; city gifts and treasures; books and plans; photography, contemporary artworks, including public art maquettes; street art; artworks which were commissioned for the Metro Tunnel Creative Program; and a significant collection of works by urban-based First Nations artists.
Images (1-4): City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection store, Melbourne Town Hall. (5) Melbourne Town Hall, corner of Swanston and Little Collins St. All photos: Tobias Titz.
Important Details
Time & Date
Saturday 25 July + Sunday 26 July
Tours running every hour starting from 10.15am. Last tour departs at 3.15pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 12
Meet at Melbourne Town Hall, Administration Building. Enter via Swanston Street entrance, next door to Melbourne Visitor Hub.
Upon arrival guests must check in via security, bags must be cloaked and photo identification is required to obtain entry to the building. Prams and bags are not permitted on tours. Prams can be left in the security storage area and bags can be kept in the lockers at visitors' own risk.
Photography for non-commercial purposes is permitted.
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessible bathrooms, Lift access to all public levels, Assistance animals welcome, All ages, Level access tram stop, Ramp or level (step free) entry, All-gender bathrooms
Melbourne Town Hall is a heritage building and access is limited in some areas. There is lift to the Collection Store (Level 4) but some of the doorways may not be wide enough for some wheelchairs. Six of the rooms included in the tour have doorways that are 88cm or wider, two are 83cm and one is 78cm. Please email: citycollection@melbourne.gov.vic.au to discuss further.
Location
Melbourne Town Hall, Administration Building, 90-130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country
