Hawthorn tram depot facts for kids
Hawthorn tram depot viewed from Wallen Road
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| Location | |
|---|---|
| Location | Wallen Road, Hawthorn |
| Characteristics | |
| Owner(s) | VicTrack |
| Operator(s) | Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board |
| History | |
| Opened | April 1916 |
| Closed | 13 February 1965 |
The Hawthorn tram depot is a historic building in Hawthorn, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It was first built in April 1916 by the Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT). You can find it at the corner of Power Street and Wallen Road. Today, it is also known as the Melbourne Tram Museum.
This depot was very important because it was near where the HTT's two main tram lines met. In 1920, another group called the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) took over the depot.
The depot had many uses over the years. In 1925, it became a special school. Here, people learned how to drive trams and how to be tram conductors. Later, in 1940, the building was also used to make uniforms for all the MMTB staff.
The depot stopped being a place where trams were stored and maintained on February 13, 1965. However, it continued to be used for training new staff and making uniforms until the 1990s. In 1996, the depot was recognized as an important historical site. It was added to the Victorian Heritage Register.
In August 1998, Robin Cooper, who was the Transport Minister at the time, announced plans for the site. Part of the depot would be kept as a museum. The rest of the area would be used to build new homes. The tram museum officially opened its doors on January 19, 2003. Peter Batchelor, another Transport Minister, helped open it.
The Melbourne Tram Museum: A Look Inside
The Melbourne Tram Museum is a fantastic place to learn about the history of trams. It is located inside the old Hawthorn tram depot. The museum is owned by VicTrack, a government agency. However, a special group of people helps run it.
Who Runs the Museum?
The museum is managed by a group called the Friends of Hawthorn Tram Depot. These friends are volunteers. This means they give their time for free because they love trams. They are a non-profit group, so they do not make money from the museum. Their main goal is to keep the history of Melbourne's trams alive for everyone to enjoy.
What Can You See at the Museum?
The museum has an amazing collection of trams. There are 17 trams that have been carefully fixed up. They look just like they did when they were first used! You can even see one of Melbourne's original cable trams. These were a very old type of tram that ran on cables under the street.
The Friends of Hawthorn Tram Depot also publish a newsletter. It is called The Bellcord. This newsletter comes out four times a year. It shares news and stories about the museum and Melbourne's tram history.
