Due to refurbishment work being done on our historic lift, the Melbourne Athenaeum Library will be closed on Saturday August 15.
The library will be open regular hours on Friday August 14 and Monday August 17.
Browse the Archives
Central to the history of the Melbourne Athenaeum is its Archives. They record the history of the city’s first public cultural and collecting institution, which commenced in 1839 as the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institution.
Search on keywords (e.g. program) or phrases with double-quotes (e.g. "Athenaeum Theatre") or search on part of a word (e.g. photo*).
The Melbourne Athenaeum operates on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge them as Traditional Owners of these lands and pay respect to Elders, past and present.
