Summary

Glass negative stereograph showing an illuminated Parliament House. It is part of the G. H. Myers Collection which consists of 73 photographs taken by Godfrey Henry Myers, an electrician and amateur photographer, in Melbourne during May 1901. 72 of these photographs depict preparations for the celebrations that surrounded Federation; all but one are glass stereographs. This collection represents Myers' one venture into commercial photography. It is significant for its images of the crowds, which do not feature so prominently in commercial photographs. The remaining photograph is a family portrait.

The opening of the Australian Parliament on May 9 1901 was an occasion for great celebrations in Melbourne. Ten days of festivities (from 6-16 May) were planned to mark the Federation of the new nation and honour the Royal visitors, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The city was transformed with decorations - flags, bunting, colourful lights and festive arches - and a series of public events were held, including a military tattoo and several street parades. Unprecedented numbers of people arrived in Melbourne from the rest of Victoria and throughout Australia to take part in the celebrations.

Description of Content

Illuminated Parliament House, Spring Street, Federation Celebrations, Melbourne, May 1901. Velveteen curtains of purple, cardinal, gold and royal blue were draped over all the doors and windows of the facade while floral festoons hung between the columns and each bay. Six thousand ruby red and white lights outlined the classical architecture, highlighting architectural details. The tall Doric columns were a blaze of white light. In the background of one of the pair of stereo photographs is the illuminated dome of the Exhibition Building.

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