Streets of Melbourne

This exhibition provides a unique opportunity for Melbournians to explore the stories behind their city. Visitors can put a ‘face to the name’ as they traverse the grid, learning more of our explorers, colonial origins, founding fathers and events in our city’s past.

Melbourne’s rectangular grid design has been the very basis of its identity as a city from its beginnings. The design has stood the test of time with little change to its pattern since it was laid down in 1837 by Robert Hoddle. The exhibition includes a brief history and biography of Hoddle and the development of the Hoddle Grid. The exhibition displays never before seen records from the Public Record Office Victoria collection including, Hoddle’s original plan of Melbourne, early maps, rare field books and letters. Flinders, Collins, LaTrobe, Spring, Russell and other Melbourne streets and lanes are showcased. The exhibition investigates the lives and roles of the people behind the street names and turns Melbourne’s thoroughfares into time capsules.

The exhibition curator said “Much of Melbourne’s past is reflected in the street names we see every day, but don’t think about. This exhibition brings the stories of Melbourne’s streets alive to the public.”

“The Streets of Melbourne exhibition at the Old Treasury Building promises to be a fascinating insight into our city's past through the history of its streets and laneways.”
- Minister for the Arts, Hon. Heidi Victoria, MP

This exhibition is available to view online through the Google Cultural Institute Australia.