What is a finding aid?

A guide to accessing information in the Museums Victoria Archives. 

Finding aids describe an archival collection, including a listing or index of holdings. They include a brief history, to help navigate the types of information and context of the archival collection and identify material relevant to the researcher.

Introduction to Children's Museums

In 1982 Mary and Grant Featherston were commissioned to write a concept proposal for a Children's Museum. The following year Mary and Grant were hired by Museum of Victoria as consultants in the development of a Children's Museum.

In 1985 the Children's Museum opened, along with the EveryBody exhibition. EveryBody exhibition travelled around Victoria in 1988, and the You're IT! exhibition was launched. In 1989 the Colour Room opened and You're IT! outreach program commenced. In 1993 the You're IT! exhibition closed, and What about WATER? exhibition opened. In 1997 the Children's Museum closed as the Museum of Victoria closed its doors at Swanston Street, before moving to Carlton Gardens.

Further Information

For further information about the history of the Children's Museum, see catalogue written by Mary Featherston and Judy McKinty.

Summary of Children's Museum (1982-1997) Finding Aid

Extent
19 boxes
11 files
2 volumes
2 large format items

Repository

Museums Victoria Archives, Melbourne Museum.  

Provenance

Records created by Mary Featherston, Ingrid Tadich and Children's Museum staff (1982- 1997). Children's Museum's parent organisation was Museum of Victoria.

Holdings

To view list of holdings, see 'Associated Downloads' section.

Major Holdings

Committee meeting notes
Exhibition records
Education and public programs records
Directorate files
Physical and digital files
Photographs, colour slides, and negatives
Audiovisual material including videos and audio tapes
Floor plans and illustrations
Posters

Related Collections/Links

Australian Children's Folklore State Collection

Children's Museum (1985-1997) Illustrated Catalogue

Children's Museum, Museum of Victoria, 1985-1997

Access

Access to the Museums Victoria Archives is by appointment via an Ask Us access enquiry.

Please provide as much information about your enquiry as possible. Such as:
names (e.g., past or current staff, collector, research associate, honorary associate)
dates (including year and month, if available)
place names
information about the discipline or collecting area
purpose of enquiry

This information will assist the Ask Us team and Archivist to answer the enquiry. 


More Information