The Dome Built to Put Melbourne on Show (1880)
The Dome Built to Put Melbourne on Show (1880)
Melbourne built the Exhibition Building for an international exhibition in 1880. Its dome rose above halls designed to hold crowds and displays from around the world.
The story behind the scene
Joseph Reed designed the building and David Mitchell built it. The Melbourne International Exhibition gave the growing city a place to present its industries, products and ambitions to visitors.
The building later hosted the opening of Australia’s first Federal Parliament on 9 May 1901. The ceremony gave its halls another place in national history.
The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens were added to the World Heritage List in 2004. The listing recognises the setting as well as the surviving exhibition building.
What you’re seeing
The Airspy aerial from around 1927 to 1928 shows the building within Carlton Gardens and the surrounding streets. Its dome and long roof stand out, while paths reveal the layout of the grounds.
Why this photo matters
The aerial records the space around the halls as clearly as the building itself. The garden approaches were part of how visitors reached and experienced the exhibitions.
Sources: Museums Victoria: Royal Exhibition Building history; Royal Exhibition Building.