Old Mining Museum Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mining Museum (former) |
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Old Mining Museum Building
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| Location | 36-64 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1902–1909 |
| Architect | Walter Liberty Vernon |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Warehouse |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Mining Museum (former); Earth Exchange; Sydney Geological and Mining Museum | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1555 |
| Type | historic site |
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The Old Mining Museum building is a historic building in The Rocks, Sydney, Australia. It used to be a chemical lab and a mining museum. Today, it is a commercial building. It stands on George Street in the City of Sydney. The building was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and built between 1902 and 1909. It is also known as the Mining Museum (former), Earth Exchange, and Sydney Geological and Mining Museum. The building is owned by Property NSW, a part of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002.
A Look at the Building's Past
This area was empty land for a long time. Old maps from the late 1700s show no buildings here. In 1807, a map by Meehan showed the land was leased to Robert Campbell.
From Quarry to Power Station
By 1902, the site was an old quarry. It had not been developed before. Between 1902 and 1904, the lower part of the building was constructed. It was meant to be a power station and workshops. Plans for this were drawn by Government Architect Walter Vernon. His first plans showed a six-level building. Later, revised plans showed a two-level building facing George Street. It also had a tall, octagonal chimney stack.
However, the power station was never finished. The generating equipment was never installed. The building was left without a roof.
Becoming a Museum
By 1908, the site was given to the NSW Mines Department. Between 1908 and 1909, the upper levels were built. These levels were for a mining museum and chemical labs. The Mining Museum officially opened in August 1909.
In 1930, the Julian Ashton Art School moved into the first floor. A museum shop opened in 1972. The art school moved out the next year.
The Earth Exchange and Beyond
In 1987, there were plans to update the building. These plans were delayed until 1989. The building was then given to the Geological and Mining Museum Trust. Its name changed to The Earth Exchange.
The Earth Exchange museum opened in March 1991. But by 1996, the museum closed for good. Since then, the building has been used for offices.
Why a Power Station Was Never Used
The building was first built as a power station. It was designed for DC (direct current) electricity. At the time, there was a big debate about electricity. Thomas Edison strongly supported DC power. However, AC (alternating current) power became the standard. Because of this, the power station was never put into use.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Mining Museum and Chemical Laboratory is a large building. It has six floors. There is also a tall, detached chimney stack. The chimney is about 61 meters (200 feet) high.
The building faces two important streets: George Street and Hickson Road. George Street is about three stories higher than Hickson Road. This means a lot of rock was dug out to build it. The building stands out in the area. Its large size and tall chimney are very noticeable.
Building Materials and Style
The building is made from a mix of materials. These include sandstone, brick, and rendered walls. The roof has several gable roofs. It also has central sawtooth roof lights. These let in natural light.
Inside, the building has a strong steel frame. It uses rolled steel columns and beams. Some floors are concrete slab, and others are timber. The style of the building is called Federation Warehouse. It also has some unique Art Nouveau and Romanesque details.
Why This Building Is Important
The Old Mining Museum building is very important to the history of New South Wales. It is special for its history and its design.
A Place of Discovery
This building shows a long history of collecting minerals and geological items. People have been interested in these objects for almost 90 years on this site. It was a place for learning and research. It helped educate people, from miners to the general public. They learned about minerals and geology. This work happened from 1908 until 1995.
A Unique Design
The building is a great example of the Federation Warehouse style. It has good proportions and special Romanesque and Art Nouveau details. It was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon. He was the first NSW Government Architect. His design fits the site very well.
The building also shows how The Rocks area developed in the early 1900s. This was after the Government took control of the land. It is a rare example of an early 20th-century museum building. It has important design features both inside and out.
A Landmark in Sydney
The building is very distinctive. Its tall chimney stack is a rare sight in Sydney today. It is a landmark in The Rocks and Circular Quay. It stands out and is a strong visual feature.
It's also rare because it was first planned as a power station. Then, it was redesigned and completed as a museum and chemical lab. This shows how building uses could change. It also represents the shift from DC to AC electricity in NSW.
Heritage Listing
The Mining Museum was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002. This means it is protected for its historical and scientific value.
- It shows important history: The building demonstrates a long history of collecting minerals. It is linked to important events and people, like Walter Liberty Vernon. It is a rare example of a building changed specifically for a mining museum.
- It has beautiful design: The building and its chimney are unique in their look and style. They are a strong visual feature in The Rocks and Circular Quay.
- It has social value: As a former Mining Museum and Chemical Laboratories, it helped collect, display, and research minerals. It also educated many people.
- It can teach us more: The building can help us understand more about NSW's history. It was first planned as a DC Power Station. Then it became a public museum and lab.
- It is rare: This building is considered aesthetically rare in the state.
- It represents a type of place: It shows the main features of cultural and natural places in NSW.
