Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Exhibition Building - William Street
| — | Royal Historical Society - Victoria | — |
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026
1. Exhibition Building - William Street Marker
Built in 1854 in William Street on part of the Old Royal Mint site, and modelled on the London Crystal Palace of 1851, it housed Victoria's first exhibition mostly of local manufactures that was designed to celebrate the achievements of the gold rush colony.
There was another major exhibition in 1861 but the building constructed of glass over a wooden and iron frame, was then in poor condition and it was demolished in 1869.
The holding of international exhibitions in the 19th century attracted considerable prestige that Melbourne attained in the exhibitions of 1880 and 1888 in the specially built and surviving Royal Exhibition Building.
Erected by Royal Historical Society - Victoria.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 37° 48.649′ S, 144° 57.37′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on William Street 0.1 kilometers south of A'Beckett Street, on the
this page online
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in 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: The Flagstaff Gardens (here, next to this marker); Federal Coffee Palace (a few steps from this marker); Melbourne (Bird's Eye View) 1882 (a few steps from this marker); First Princes Bridge, Melbourne (a few steps from this marker); Melbourne 1880 (a few steps from this marker); Panoramic View of Melbourne (a few steps from this marker); The Home of the Historical Society of Victoria (within shouting distance of this marker); Flagstaff Gardens - Mapping 170 Years of Change (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.
Regarding Exhibition Building - William Street. This Exhibition Building was the first
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026
2. Exhibition Building - William Street Marker along the wall of the Historical Society
It is not to be mistaken with the Royal Exhibition Building, which is the third of the Exhibition Buildings, was built 26 years later and is still in use in the Carlton Gardens.
Also see . . . Intercolonial and international exhibitions. State Library Victoria
The building for the Melbourne Exhibition of 1854 was at the corner of William Street and Little Lonsdale Street, where the Royal Mint building (Hellenic Museum) now stands. The 1854 building also housed the Victorian Exhibition in 1861. The architects and designers were Thomas and Samuel Henden Merrett.(Submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
Melbourne’s grand glass Exhibition Hall, built for a 1854 Exhibition and inspired by London’s famous Crystal Palace, reflected the ambition and confidence of the fledgling new colony of Victoria.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
