by Dr Fiona Moore, Archives Manager, Melbourne Athenaeum
The Melbourne Athenaeum is Melbourne’s oldest public cultural and collecting institution. Commencing in 1839, as the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institute, it provided the city with its first library, museum, exhibition space, educational opportunities and annual lecture program. This talk provides an insight into the formation of the Melbourne Athenaeum, with a focus on how women engaged with an institution that has historically been viewed as male-dominated.