Welcome
Welcome to the East Melbourne Historical Society.
East Melbourne is a tiny suburb adjoining the city of Melbourne bounded by Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens to the west, Victoria Parade to the north, Hoddle Street to the east and Yarra Park to the south, home of the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. East Melbourne was included in Robert Hoddle's original 1837 plan for the city but the first private house was not built until 1853. The suburb today reflects a history of Victoria with its beautiful gardens, grand houses of the gold rush era and workmen's cottages. Cast iron lacework adorns the houses, bluestone cobbled lanes lead to old coach houses and brick dunnies. Artists, scientists, politicians, judges, educators, priests, explorers, entrepreneurs, courtesans, philanthropists and social activists lived here and many a tale is told of characters wild and exotic.
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Recent news
Article in the Australian 24 AuReopening of St Peter's Plaza Eastern Hill, 10 November 2019
On 10 November, St Peter’s Plaza and the restored ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ were re-opened to the public. Dating from 1924, the cross is a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War 1, modelled on wayside crosses in France and is the only one of its kind in Australia.
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Jolimont Station: submission
The East Melbourne Historical Society has recently nominated Jolimont Station for inclusion on the Heritage Victoria register. The station has been a long overlooked part of our history. It does not appear even on the City of Melbourne's Inventory of Heritage Places.
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Phil Ruthven Slides Available
There was an excellent attendance at our event on Wednesday 21 June 2017 when Phil Ruthven took us on a trip down Memory Lane looking back to Australia, Melbourne and East Melbourne in 1853 and 1953 to the present day. He also had the courage, audacity some might say, to predict what the circumstances might be in 2053.
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Richard Wynne, planning minister, states East Melbourne 'spectacular'
On Monday, March 9 2015 The Age ran an article by Clay Lucas under the headline 'Towers make city hostile. says minister'. In the article Mr Wynne said to have significant concerns over the levels of density that been approved for Melbourne's CBD. Asked about his favourite architecture he listed East Melbourne as one of his choices.
Forthcoming activities
EMHS AGM 5:00pm Wednesday 21 October 2020
This is a notice to members of the EMHS AGM to be held via Zoom at 5:00pm on Wednesday 21 October 2020. We are seeking a speaker for a short presentation to be held after the meeting. Watch this space and update emails from our Membership Adminsitrator. The Zoom link will be provided in advance by email to financial members.
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Recent acquisitions
East Melbourne, Powlett Street 174 - Drill Hall
A file of source material collected for research into the history of the Drill Hall in Powlett Street, East Melbourne. It contains Heritage Victoria Statement of Significance and several extr
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East Melbourne, George Street 048
Auction brochure for auction of 48 George Street, East Melbourne scheduled for 29 February 2020. Colour photos. Plans.
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East Melbourne, Wellington Parade 012
A colour photo shows a two storey building of clinker brick. It is rigidly symmetrical and with twelve-paned windows placed evenly across the facade has a classical appearance. A small h
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East Melbourne, Hotham Street 052
Auction brochure for auction of 52 Hotham Street, East Melbourne scheduled for 17 August 2019. Colour photos. Plans.
The property sold for $4,375,000.
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East Melboune, Powlett Street 022
Auction brochure for auction of Apartment 3, 22 Powlett Street, East Melbourne scheduled for 12 October 2019. Colour photos. Plans
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