Stonnington History Centre will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 29 July as part of Open House Melbourne.
A free-roaming, open house event, you’re invited to learn about its fascinating history in a self-guided tour of the building, its archive rooms and surrounding garden.
History Centre staff will be on hand to answer questions as you explore the historic Northbrook (in which the Stonnington History Centre is housed), and our extensive archive featuring a superb local history collection.
The collection comprises photographs, maps, newspapers building and subdivision plans, annual reports, and correspondence, in paper and electronic formats.
The Stonnington History Centre is an archive dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of the City of Stonnington and its community.
Located just behind Malvern Library, the centre is a branch of the Stonnington Library and Information Service, providing general local history information services, and holding an impressive archival collection.
Northbrook is a Victorian Italianate villa built in 1888-1889, designed by architect Charles D’Ebro.
The house was originally set on 2.5 acres of gardens facing High Street and included a 160-square-metre ballroom, timber outbuildings and brick stables.
Northbrook features a small portico with pressed-metal ceiling, elaborate mouldings and a balustrade parapet. The black-and-white marble floor of the entrance foyer leads to the main vaulted vestibule, featuring heavily panelled timber walls, a large over mantle with inlet mirrors and detailed encaustic tiles in the fire surround.
The two smaller vestibules leading into the Morning and Dining Rooms, feature elaborate, stencilled and gilded vaulted ceilings with cherubs, while the rooms feature elaborate cornices, ceilings, centre roses and over mantles. The Dining Room features timber panelling, as well as three built-in sideboards and a large over mantle.
The building has been owned by the Council since the mid–1940s, and the Stonnington History Centre has occupied the building since 2008. A branch of the Library and Information Services, the History Centre maintains Council archives.
Entry is free and bookings are not required.
When: Saturday 29 July | 10am–1pm
