Sign in

Old Treasury Building

@oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social
3K followers 955 following 184 posts

One of Melbourne's finest 19th century buildings. This free museum showcases the history of Melbourne and Victoria. The OTB is located on the land of the Kulin Nations. We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians, past and present.

PostsRepliesMedia
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Please note, the Old Treasury Building will be CLOSED this Friday 25 September for the public holiday.
The Museum will be closed Friday 25 September for the Grand Final Public Holiday. 
We are open again on Sunday for celebrations or commiserations.
010
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
We still have a few spots left on our monthly tour this weekend! See the building in a new light and learn some interesting facts about early Melbourne. 🎟️ $16 📍 Old Treasury Building Museum 📅 Sunday 27th September ⏰ 11am Tickets: events.humanitix.com/old-treasury...
Fun facts you can learn on an Old Treasury Building guided tour >In the 1920s, paddocks behind the building had a horse, a cow and chickens!The first city morgue was across from Flinders St Station, opposiye the fish market- one of the reasons Melbourne was called Smellbourne!Come along on the last Sunday of the month to learn more fun facts like:
-is there any real gold in the building?
-why was architect JJ Clark fired from the Public Works Department?
-why are there alcoves in the Gold Vaults?
$16
11am-12pm, last Sunday of the month
Old Treasury Building, Melbourne
020
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
We are very excited to be part of Melbourne Fashion Week's Independant Program in 2026! Join us to look back at two iconic decades for fashion! The demand for modern styles in the emerging youth market of the 1960s and the experimental turn towards unconventional materials in the 1970s.
events.humanitix.com
Collision: Fashion and Fabrics
Dive into the intricate world of fabrics and discover how designers are defined by the textiles they use.
041
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
George Rowe's 1858 painting of Melbourne from the Observatory has had a ⭐ glow up ⭐. Visit Vault 6 to see the newly animated panorama!
Text: George Rowe's 1858 panorama of Melbourne might look a bit different next time you visit Vault 6...
Image depicts a curved wall with an image of Melbourne in 1858.
211
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Just as ships were repaired in Duke's and Orr's Dry Docks, our 'Yarra' exhibition is due for some TLC. It will be closed between Friday 14 August and Tuesday 1 September 2026 to refresh the display. The rest of the Museum will be open as usual! 📷 Collection, University of Melbourne Archives.
Our exhibition Yarra: Stories of Melbourne's River will be closed for renovations between 14 August and 1 September. [2026] text is superimposed onto an image of a sailing ship being overhauled.
020
Reposted by Old Treasury Building
Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Do you remember the Commonwealth Games mascots of 2006? This stunning series from our collection was used in the planning of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies. These drawings can be ordered for viewing in our reading room: prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS...
ned kelly costumeplans for tram with wingsplans for the leunig duck with wheelsplans for a koala costume
033
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
It's on again! Open House Melbourne is this coming weekend! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to go behind the door of some of Melbournes best buildings. Our highlight this year? The wonderful tours of the @vicarchives.bsky.social of course! Don't miss out!
084
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
The 1960s is remembered as a time of loud and energetic protest, most think only of student protests, but they were one part of a cross-generational push for change! Australians from all walks of life questioned old hierarchies, developing new strategies of protest in the process.
oldtreasurybuilding.org.au
You Say You Want A Revolution: Protest in the Sixties – Old Treasury Building
More than any other decade the 1960s is remembered as a time of loud and energetic protest. Most think first of student radicals, but they were only one part of […]
053
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
In Melbourne and looking for something to do on Sunday? Free displays of piping and highland dancing from 11:30am on the OTB forecourt as part of the Melbourne Tartan Festival!
Sunday 5th July (2026)- Join us for Piping and Highland Dancing displays between 11:30am and 1:30pm
013
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
History museums have a bad rep for being stuffy places. But we think learning history should be fun!. Have you had fun with our basement cutouts? Our Christmas cards propose an alternate universe where giant octopuses lived in the Treasury Gardens! #FunInTheMuseumMW #MuseumsWeek
000
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River (Birrarung) has always been an important resource. After Europeans arrived, wharves and factories replaced the wetlands, the river was straightened and deepened. In 1883 the Yarra Falls were explosively demolished! #MuseumsWeek #Museums4ThePlanetMW
Sepia toned photo of houses on a hill submerged by flood water. Some you can only see the roofs poking out!series of images depicting the removal of the Yarra Falls.sketch of industries working on the river.
060
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
The Rare Book Week program is LIVE! We're so excited to be presenting 'Making Public Histories: Why Republics Die'. rarebooksmelbourne.com
rarebooksmelbourne.com
Rare Book Week - Rare Books Melbourne
Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026 is a free, city-wide festival celebrating the written, printed and illustrated word. Talks, exhibitions, tours and more.
053
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
When this dress arrived at OTB, it had already lived a long life. Look closely at the beautiful, beaded hem of this dress and think of the nights it spent swinging away as its wearer danced an energetic Charleston, spilling champagne onto a crowded dancefloor. #MuseumsWeek #IfObjectsCouldSpeakMW
cream 'flapper' dress on display in an exhibition
181
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Museums tell stories of not only conflict but the constant struggle for peace. Most of our exhibitions share stories of the everyday Australians who campaigned for a peaceful world. Swinging 60s includes protest ephemera, showing the ways people have fought for peace. #Museums4PeaceMW #MuseumWeek
Two aprons. The left one is white and has written on it, 'UAW end violence and poverty'. The second is a dark blue and has white lettering UAW. UAW is the Union of Australian Women.Four button badges, they are: top left, white badge with 'no conscripts to vietnam', top right, black backgroun with orange writing that says 'Bye Bye Bolte'. bottom left is yellow with black writing 'Drop Holt on Hanoi', and the final bottom right is a white badge is 'let my people go' in deep blue.Three stickers (never used). The top says 'Release all who fight the draft !!!' from the Campaign for Peace in Vientam. The middle says 'these companies make money from the Vietnam war. General Electric, Dunlop, Kodak. Don't let them make money from you'. The bottom is bright red and says 'make love not war'.
052
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
It's #MuseumWeek! A time for museums around the world to come together to celebrate what we do. #AIFuturesMW has us considering the future of museums in response to AI. Will museums always be reliable sources of information? How long will critical research be sustainable when convenience wins?
020
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Did you miss our talk last week on the power of objects? Good news! it's now available to view on our YouTube Channel!
youtu.be
Belief, Magic and the Supernatural: the Power of Objects
YouTube video by OldTreasuryBuilding
010
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Some really interesting articles!
020
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
The 1960s were a time of change. One of the biggest? Skirt lengths! From conservative to scandalous, the decade had it all!
oldtreasurybuilding.org.au
Ready-to-Wear Fashion in the 1960s – Old Treasury Building
What comes to mind when we think about fashion and the 1960s? Almost certainly it is the miniskirt for women and brightly patterned shirts for men. Gone were the demure […]
051
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Don't panic, but you've only got one day left to see 'Behind the Lines' in Melbourne! See you Sunday 3 May, 10am-4pm for its last day before it sails to Tasmania! Accurate cartoon by Shuturp (find them on Instagram) In Tasmania? Good news! FInd it at the Burnie Regional Art Gallery from May 15!
Two basically drawn people look at each other. The first one, with a smile on their face and a happy blue brain asks: 'What's on your mind'. 
The second states 'nothing', but their red brain says PANIC!
120
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Not long now! 'Behind the Lines' closes this Sunday 3 May. Don't miss out on seeing this excellent exhibition at its only Melbourne Venue! Thanks to @fionakatauskas.bsky.social for this brilliant cartoon! The exhibition will be visiting Tasmania next at Burnie Arts.
cartoon of Australian animals lining up to register to vote while the AEC professional says "it may be a matter of life or death that your voices are heard but i'm afraid i can't enrol you to vote..."
152
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
What do a boot from country Victoria and a mansion on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have in common? They're both in our next 'Material Histories' seminar! Discover the stories objects can tell about the past and present. Free talk via Zoom. Bookings essential.
events.humanitix.com
Belief, Magic and the Supernatural: the Power of Objects
Join Dr David Waldron and Melathi Saldin as they explore the supernatural on the Victorian gold fields and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands respectively.
141
Reposted by Old Treasury Building
Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
To celebrate Chinese Language Day we re-share episode 10 of our Look History in the Eye podcast. In this episode, Anna Kyi explains the importance of 19th Century Victorian Chinese petitions in understanding the Australian Chinese immigrant experience of the goldfields. go.vic.gov.au/4mBZpDA
Chinese petition
043
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
The Law Week program is out! Our sold out tour from last year 'The Constitution, the Governor and Royal Assent' is back! events.humanitix.com/the-constitu... Don't miss out on a great collection of events! www.viclawweek.org.au
events.humanitix.com
The Constitution, the Governor and Royal Assent (Law Week)
Discover the Constitution, the role of the Governor and Royal Assent, but also the way in which ‘direct democracy’ can influence law makers.
021
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Run, don't walk! There's just over 2 weeks left to see 'Behind the Lines' in Melbourne! Cartoon by @nordacious.bsky.social!
Fake cereal packet called Krunchy Kapitalism's Eat the Rich. Bite into the Broligarchy! Goes down easy, like their workers rights. 
Depicted in a spoon is the head of  Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
0135
Reposted by Old Treasury Building
Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Our latest episode of Look History in the Eye, Melbourne follows Sean Reynolds into the archives, where his Melbourne Ghost Signs research leads him through criminal files and forgotten stories of women long overlooked. Listen through Spotify, Apple Podcasts or our website: go.vic.gov.au/4snv2SM
031
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
More tickets have been released for April's public tour! Discover the museum beyond the walls with one of our expert guides! A reminder that we do not accept resale tickets.
Two people admire an exhibition display.
051
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
*ACCESS NOTICE* Unfortunately the Old Treasury Building lift is currently not operational. We are trying to get it working ASAP, but will likely be offline for 48 hours. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Photograph of the exterior of the Old Treasury Building.
000
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Please note: OTB will be closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday. OPEN Easter Monday!
Old Treasury Building Easter Trading Hours
Good Friday 3 April CLOSED
Easter Sunday 5 April CLOSED
Easter Monday 6 April OPEN 10am-4pm
021
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Did you miss ourtalk on Friday with @goldingcartoons.bsky.social, @meganjherbert.bsky.social and Matt Jones, curator at Museum of Australian Democracy? You're in luck! The recording is now available on our YouTube Channel!
youtu.be
In Conversation with Matt Golding, Political Cartoonist of the Year
YouTube video by OldTreasuryBuilding
041
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Have you enjoyed the ‘Behind the Lines’ exhibition? Delve deeper with our conversation next week with @goldingcartoons.bsky.social and Museum of Australian Democracy curator Matt Jones. They’ll be joined by guest @meganjherbert.bsky.social! 'Behind the Lines' is on display at OTB until 3 May 2026.
Two dinosaurs are talking. One asks, what's your number one issue? the other answers, cost of living. Meanwhile an asteroid hurtles towards them illustrating the cause of their extinction.
1216
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Mabel Ambrose was a 17 year-old seamstress and domestic servant from South Yarra. In 1898 she was taken to see Madame Olga Radalyski, to help her ‘get rid of her trouble’. What followed was a gruesome tragedy and and a case that would grip the nation! #WomensHistoryMonth
oldtreasurybuilding.org.au
Olga Radalyski and the Body in the Boot Box Scandal
In December 1898 Melbourne was transfixed by a gruesome mystery. The body of a young woman was found in the Yarra River at Richmond, her naked body jammed into a […]
142
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
March is #WomensHistoryMonth and we're revisiting our 'Wayward Women?' exhibition. Starting with the most notorious: Caroline Hodgson AKA Madame Brussels!
oldtreasurybuilding.org.au
Madame Brussels- Wayward Women? at Old Treasury Building
Madame Brussels (1851-1908) was one of the most famous brothel-keepers in late nineteenth-century Melbourne.  Her houses in Lonsdale Street entertained men of influence and made her a wealthy woman. H...
000
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Get excited! 'Behind the Lines' travelling from the Museum of Australian Democracy is up at the OTB! We're excited to be the only Victorian venue for this always entertaining (and thought provoking) exhibition! We'll be sharing some of our favourite cartoons soon! Last day is Sunday 3 May 2026.
Exhibition space with many framed works.
000
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Did you miss out talk last week as part of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival Independent Programme? Good news! It's now available to watch on our YouTube channel!
youtu.be
Cuttings, Combings, Fettlings and Flock: Fashionable Consumption and Australian Wool ‘Waste’
YouTube video by OldTreasuryBuilding
010
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
We are very excited to announced that the Museum of Australian Democracy and OTB will be holding an online PD session for educators on media literacy and using 'Behind the Lines' cartoons in classroom settings! Thursday 12 March at 4pm. Free, registration essential. The session will be recorded.
events.humanitix.com
Media Literacy and Political Cartoons in the classroom (for Educators)
This online session will provide tips and resources to help you use political cartoons in the classroom to build students' media literacy skills.
010
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
People have been creatively using fashion waste for more years than we can imagine! In this free talk Dr Lorinda Cramer examines the archives of one of Melbourne's largest deparment store chains and how they were turning waste to profit!
events.humanitix.com
Cuttings, Combings, Fettlings and Flock: Fashionable Consumption and Australian Wool ‘Waste’
Explore fashion and its resulting waste by examining the mail order catalogues produced by the Melbourne department store Foy & Gibson.
032
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Did you know the OTB has a small collection of historic dresses? Your exclusive chance to view some of them in person is part of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Independent Programme! events.humanitix.com/crinoline-fl...
Blue cotton 1850s crinoline dress.1920s 'flapper' dress, cream with bead embroidery.
0104
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Please note, the museum will be CLOSED due to extreme heat forcast on Tuesday 27 January 2026. The museum will also be CLOSED on the public holiday Monday 26 January.
Old Treasury Building Summer Hours. 25 January 10am-4pm, 26 January closed, 27 January, closed, 28 January 10am-4pm (regular hours resume)
021
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Sounds tasty!
061
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
OTB is excited to be joining the magnificent line up of events in this years PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival Independent Programme! Discover our events below:
121
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Did you know? The Old Treasury Building is the third building to hold that title. The first Treasury was in William Street followed by 300 Queen Street. While the William Street building has been demolished, the Queen Street building is still there!
Arrival of the gold escort. Illustration shows a 3 storey stone building with a crowd of people out the front. Image courtesy State Library Victoria.Slightly blurry black and white photograph of a three storey building. Image courtesy Royal Historical Society Victoria.Black and white photograph of a three storey building. Image courtesy State Library Victoria.
071
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Some exciting records released!
030
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Did you know it took around 60 workmen to build the Old Treasury Building? Their equipment seems basic now, but this was the first documented use of a travelling crane in Melbourne!
19th century building under construction. The stone building has a metal scaffolding with a crane resting on either side of the metal construction.
0113
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
The Old Treasury Building will be open across the holiday period, except for the public holidays. Our Monthly public tour will be running at 11am on 28 December, the perfect last minute gift!
Old TReasury Building Holiday Hours. 24 December 10am-4pm. 25-27 December CLOSED. 28-31 December 10am-4pm. 1 January CLOSED. 2 January 10am-4pm (regular hours resume)
021
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Looking for affordable gift ideas? Did you know we have a $10 or less section in our online store? Some great items on offer including a new design of our best selling lens cloth!
oldtreasurybuilding.org.au
Under $10 Archives – Old Treasury Building
010
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
A great photos! We asked around and we've had classes in Japanese, Indonesian, French, Chinese, Latin and English!
041
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Did you miss our talk on the new 'Swinging 60s' exhibition last week? Good news! It's now available on our YouTube channel!
youtu.be
Looking Back on the Swinging Sixties
YouTube video by OldTreasuryBuilding
020
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
This should be an interesting discussion! Book here: www.historycouncilvic.org.au/making_publi...
historycouncilvic.org.au
Making Public Histories
History Council of Victoria
021
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Good news! Our whimsical Christmas cards are back in stock! Get ahead of the season with these Victorian inspired cards. 5 designs, 5 in a pack.
oldtreasurybuilding.org.au
Christmas Greeting Cards – Old Treasury Building
These whimsical Old Treasury Building cards were designed to echo the Christmas cards of the Victorian Era, 1837-1901. Thanks to new printing techniques and cheaper postage stamps, Christmas cards wer...
051
Old Treasury Building @oldtreasurymelb.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Want to find out more about our new exhibition 'Swinging 60s'? Join @margaretotbmelb.bsky.social as she takes us through the decade in this free online talk!
events.humanitix.com
Looking back on the Swinging Sixties
Join Margaret Anderson as she explores life in the 1960s and asks did Victoria really ‘swing’ in the 1960s?
021