The 1850's were a boom time for Melbourne because of the discovery of gold in the surrounding area. Population exploded, building expansion quadrupled, and money flowed into the city. One of Australia's finest examples of Rennaisance Revival archeology was created during this period; the Old Treasury Building (1858-1862). Representative of the grandeur of the 1850's, this building was constructed to house the Treasury Department, and the offices of the Governor. Premier, and the Treasurer, as well as the massive amounts of gold eminating from the gold fields, Today, the Old Treasury Building is a museum, depicting the early history of Melbourne, and the State of Victoria since 1830. The museum also displays the lives of the local aboriginal peoples. In the basement is a recreation of the apartment of John and Emma Maynard, along with their eight children, caretakers of the building from 1912 to 1928. These are the kinds of historical attractions that really enthrall us.
And, by the way, Melbourne is a sister city of Boston, Massachusetts.
The Old Treasury building along Melbourne's Spring Street. One of the major offices housed in the Old Treasury building is that of the Governor of the State of Victoria. In the basement of the building , vaults holding ingots from the gold fields were off this corridor. ....but we weren't able to find any gold just laying around, waiting to be picked up. This particular vault displays a replica of the gold that was once stored here. Replica of the 2217 ounce "Welcome Nugget" discovered in 1858. In today's market, this gold piece would be worth over 3.7 million dollars. Part of the apartment of John and Emma Maynard, caretakers of the Old Treasury Building... ....which includes their kitchen... ...and the living room.
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Carl and Lorraine Aveni are two retirees planning on traveling through Europe for at least one year.
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