Old Museum Building, Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Museum Building |
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The Old Museum Building, 2019
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| Former names | Exhibition Building and Concert Hall |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Federation Romanesque |
| Address | Cnr Gregory Terrace and Bowen Bridge Road, Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Completed | 1891 |
| Owner | Queensland Government |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | George Henry Male Addison |
The Old Museum Building is a very special, old building in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's made from 1.3 million red bricks! You can find it between Gregory Terrace and the Exhibition Grounds. This building is one of only two exhibition buildings left in Australia from the 1800s. The other is the Royal Exhibition Building.
The Old Museum is a famous landmark in Brisbane. It's known for its history with music and performances. Famous artists like Dame Nellie Melba and Ignacy Jan Paderewski have performed here.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Building
The Old Museum was first called the Exhibition Building and Concert Hall. It was built in 1891. This happened after Brisbane's first exhibition building burned down on June 13, 1888. That first building was being used as a skating rink when the fire happened.
The new building was made for the Queensland National Agricultural and Industrial Association. On April 25, 1891, a special ceremony took place. Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer, who was acting as the Governor of Queensland, laid the foundation stone. A bottle with Brisbane's main newspapers was buried under this stone. The building was finished in August 1891.
The land where the building stands was used by the Queensland Acclimatisation Society from 1863 to 1875.
The architect who designed the new exhibition building was George Henry Male Addison. The building's style is a mix of different designs, sometimes called Indo-Saracenic. Over 300 workers built the huge structure in just 12 months. It is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as an important historical site.
A Home for Art and History
In 1897, the Queensland Government took over the building. This happened because the National Association faced money problems.
In 1899, the Exhibition Hall became the home of the Queensland Museum. The museum stayed in this building for 86 years! It moved to the Queensland Cultural Centre in 1986. Because the Queensland Museum was there for so long, people started calling the building the Old Museum.
While the museum was there, other parts of the building were used too. It was a Concert Hall and even an Art Gallery.
More recently, in 2016, the building was used again for the Ekka (a big annual show). It has since been used for flower and garden displays during this event.
Today's Stage: A Place for Performances
The Old Museum building is a busy place for many groups today. It is the home of the Queensland Youth Orchestras. They use the building to practice, perform, and for their offices.
Other groups also use the building, including:
- The Brisbane Symphony Orchestra
- The Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra
- The Queensland Youth Choir
- The Queensland Wind and Brass
- The Brisbane River City Clippers Barbershop Chorus
- The Queensland Rhythmic Gymnastics Organisation
- The Queensland Police Pipes and Drums
- The Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre Company
The famous play Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare was also performed here in 1989. Actors like Geoffrey Rush and Jane Menelaus were in the cast. The Old Museum building was even used as a filming location for the 1980s Australian TV series Mission: Impossible.
Special Recognition: Heritage Listing
The Old Museum Building is very important. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it is protected for its historical value.
In 2009, during the Q150 celebrations, the Old Museum Building was named one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland. It was recognized for its amazing structure and engineering.
Images for kids
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The exterior of the Old Museum Building in Brisbane.
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Terracotta tile work above the portico arches.
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The Old Museum
as the home of the Queensland Youth Orchestras. -
The roof of the Old Museum.
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Side view of the Old Museum building.
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Detail of tower on Western side of Old Museum building.
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Side view of the Old Museum Building.
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Corner view of the tower.
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View over the roof and towers.
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Foundation stone laid by Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer.
