Hellenic Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 2007 |
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| Location | 280 William Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Type | Greek museum |
The Hellenic Museum is a cool place in Melbourne, Australia. It is a museum about Greek art and history. It shows off Greek culture, both old and new, through different programs and exhibits. The museum also shares stories about Greek people living in Melbourne and Australia.
Contents
Discovering Greek Culture
The Hellenic Museum helps people learn about Greece. It celebrates the amazing art and history of ancient and modern Greece. The museum wants everyone to understand and protect this rich culture.
How the Museum Started
The museum started in 2007. A kind businessman named Spiros Stamoulis created it. It is located in the heart of Melbourne City. The museum is in a very old building that used to be the Royal Mint. Spiros Stamoulis wanted to share Greek heritage with more people.
Leadership and Support
Today, Spiros's son, Harry Stamoulis, leads the museum. He continues his father's work. Harry helps the museum make new partnerships. He also supports the arts through generous donations.
What You Can See
The Hellenic Museum has many interesting things to see. It has both temporary and permanent exhibits. This means some displays stay for a long time, and others change.
Permanent Collections
You can find several special collections here.
- Photographs: There is a photo exhibit called Oneiroi by an Australian photographer named Bill Henson.
- Ancient Treasures: The museum has old Cypriot items from the Mary and Peter Mitrakas Collection.
- Greek Statues: You can see copies of ancient Greek statues. These were made by the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Greek National Archaeological Museum.
- Pottery and Marbles: The Koumountatakis Family collection includes pottery from Magna Grecia. This was a part of ancient Greece in Italy. There are also Roman marble sculptures.
- Byzantine Icons: The museum displays a range of beautiful Byzantine icons. These are religious artworks from the Byzantine Empire.
Special Partnerships
In 2013, the Hellenic Museum teamed up with the Benaki Museum in Greece. This partnership brought a special collection of ancient items to Melbourne. This exhibit started in 2014 and is still on display.
Types of Exhibitions
The museum's exhibits cover many topics. They often focus on history, culture, and education. You can also find displays about visual arts, film, music, and architecture.
The Historic Building
The Hellenic Museum is in a very special building. It is the former Royal Mint. You can find it at the corner of William and Latrobe Streets. This building is in the center of Melbourne.
A Look at the Past
The Royal Mint building opened in 1872. It was a branch of the British Royal Mint. The architect who designed it was J. J. Clark. The building shows a unique style called Renaissance Revival. This style is not very common in Australian buildings.
What the Building Was Used For
The building where the museum is now was once the main office. It also had living areas for the Deputy Master and his family. Their servants lived there too. This administrative building and the gatehouses are the only parts left of the original Mint complex.
The Mint's Closure
The Melbourne Mint stopped making coins in 1968. The machines were sold, and other parts of the complex were taken down. Today, the building is carefully looked after. It is listed as a heritage site, which means it is very important to history.
See also
- Greek Precinct, Melbourne
- Melbourne City Centre topics
- Greek community of Melbourne
