Carlton in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Exhibition Building Foundation Stone Centenary
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026
1. Exhibition Building Foundation Stone Centenary Marker
(Top Plaque)
Foundation Stone of this Building on
February 19th 1879 this plaque was unveiled by
His Excellency
The Honourable Sir Henry Winneke,
K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O, O.B.E., K.St.J., Q.C.
on February 19th 1979
in the presence of
The Premier
The Honourable R.J. Hamer, E.D., M.P.
Members of the Ministry The Legislative Council
The Legislative Assembly The Exhibition Trustees
and Citizens of Victoria
The Exhibition Trustees: F.R.G. Strickland, O.B.E., Chairman ∙ K.L. Christian ∙ Cr. H. Pan ∙ W.K. Nevin ∙ Cr. L. Ress ∙ K.A. Rosenhain ∙ Cr. A.J. Watson ∙ J.C. Elden, Director
(Bottom Plaque)
was laid on February 19th 1879 by
His Excellency
Sir George Bowen, G.C.M.G.
Governor of the Colony of Victoria
in the presence of
Members of the Ministry and the Executive
and Legislative Councils the Legislative Assembly
the Exhibition Commissioners and 10,000 Citizens
The Exhibition Commissioners: Hon. W.J. Clarke, M.L.C. President
Hon. J.J. Casey, C.M.G. Executive Vice-President
Sir Bryan O'Loghlen,
this page online
Sir George Verdon, K.C.M.G., C.B., F.R.S., Vice-President
Sir Samuel Wilson, M.L.C., F.R.G.S., F.L.S., Vice-President
Hon. W.M.K. Vale, M.P., J.P., Treasurer, C.G. Levey, C.M.G., Secretary
Architect: Reed and Barnes Builder: David Mitchell
Erected 1979 by The Exhibition Trust Melbourne.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical date for this entry is February 19, 1879.
Location. 37° 48.296′ S, 144° 58.347′ E. Marker is in Carlton, Victoria, in Melbourne. It can be reached from Nicholson Street 0.1 kilometers west of Gertrude Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, Australasia, the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, the Pacific Rim, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Exhibition Building receives Royal Title (here, next to this marker); Exhibition Building Great Hall
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026
2. Foundation Stone Centenary Markers
Also see . . . Main Exhibition Building from Eastern Entrance. Museums Victoria Collections
Although the Exhibition Building itself had only been recently constructed, the foundation stone being laid in February 1879, the gardens themselves include more mature plants that were part of the original garden layout established by Edward LaTrobe Bateman in the mid 1850s. Nonetheless, the gardens immediately south of the Exhibition Building were relaid for the 1880 Exhibition, and the parterra garden beds along the edge of the ornamental lake show relatively new planting.(Submitted on July 10, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
