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On 28 September 1860 the foundation stone of the back section of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute was laid.<\/p>\n
The first part of the building included the reading room as well as a library, lecture room and two classrooms on the ground floor.<\/p>\n
A large hall was located on the first floor that could seat 1200 people.<\/p>\n
BMI heritage collections curator Ellen Becker said although the room was built in six weeks, it has stood the test of time.<\/p>\n
“Amazingly this is our room of least concern which is strange because it’s our busiest room,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It is still standing strongly today\u2026 but heritage buildings are a struggle, particularly the facade and the broader infrastructure.<\/p>\n
“We are a not-for-profit institution; we do rely on membership subscriptions and other benevolence support.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GOVERNOR of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, has visited the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute. Ms Gardner was on site last week to celebrate the 165th anniversary of the opening of the first reading room in the BMI building at 117 to 119 Sturt Street. She visited the institute last week during a […]<\/p>\n