Gold Treasury Museum

An especially significant building in Melbourne is the one that's found on Spring Street that some references point out as the Gold Treasury Museum. Majority, however, refer to it as the Old Treasury Building since it once housed the treasury department of the government of Victoria. In any case, the original purpose for which the structure was put up was to provide a place where Australian gold, accumulated at the height of the so-called gold rush hysteria in Victoria, could be safely kept.

The original building design was created by J.J. Clark, a then young architect who made use of the vast gold find to eventually come up with a palace-like structure of the Renaissance Revival variety. Started in 1857, the treasury building was finally completed after five years, and once held the distinction of being the principal government department in the entire Melbourne territory.

Prior to the establishment of the Parliament House, the structure was likewise once considered as the main venue of all government activities, playing host to several public offices, including those of the auditor-general, the governor-general, the treasurer and the premier.

Sometime between 1877 and 1878, the treasury office moved to another area, causing the treasury building to eventually being referred to as the "old treasury". Today, it is more of a museum that plays host to several gold vaults that are generally not in use. Certain areas, meanwhile, continue to serve vital functions, particularly in the case of the governor-general who regularly sees the Executive Council in his office for purposes of signing a new legislation.

For the most part, however, the place is a public museum officially reopened as such in 1994, where tourists can gain extensive insights of Victorian art, architecture, history, and even contemporary life. It regularly hosts several exhibitions covering a wide variety of Melbourne-centered topics, although there are three which are being shown on a regular basis and which focus on the renowned gold rush hysteria as it relates to Melbourne history. One of these is built on Gold which effectively showcases the journey of early residents in their search for Victorian gold fields and accurately identifies the effects of these on early Victorian life. Additionally, a gift shop can be found nearby selling a wide collection of gold rush souvenir items.

Another area is known to operate as the government wedding registration office where ostensibly, interested Melbourne residents can request for a marriage registration. There is likewise an apartment in the basement just below the official Governor-General office that used to be the home of the treasury building caretaker who lived there for more than 12 years.

The Gold Treasury Museum is open for public viewing everyday from 9 a.m up to 5 p.m, except during popular holidays like Christmas, Good Friday, and the Australian Boxing Day. Admission fees vary depending on the kind of visitor although in the last few years, an open day has been observed at the museum where the general public can freely enter the building and examine its many offices and its overall magnificence.