160 years ago in Geelong

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160 YEARS AGO IN GEELONG

(From the pages of the Geelong Chronicle)

MR KREITMAYER’S MUSEUM OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Mr Kreitmayer, of Melbourne, brought his Museum of Illustrations to Geelong, for four days

only, in April 1862. The venue was the Geelong Mechanics’ Institute in Ryrie Street.

Admission was one shilling; children half price.

The Museum of Illustrations was, in fact, a series of wax figures. One was of John Pascoe

Fawkner, one of the founders of Melbourne. Another was of Mr Hargreaves, the discoverer

of gold in Victoria. Chief among the works were several wax figures depicting the sad fate

of the recent Burke and Wills expedition.

After a visit to the Museum, the reporter from the Geelong Chronicle pronounced that the

exhibition was deserving of patronage by its readers:

“As a well executed work of art it can be commended, whilst the interest of the subject

illustrated places it beyond criticism. The chief group is composed of Burke, Wills and

King: the scene is Cooper’s Creek – the time, the evening of the day that the depot party

had turned homeward. Burke is portrayed as resting on a tree, and reading a

memorandum left at the depot; Wills is represented with his field book; and King is in a

reclining attitude.”

For the last two days of the Museum’s time in Geelong, a Band, under the direction of Mr

Stoneham, performed some choice selections of music. On its last day in Geelong, Mr

Kreitmayer advertised that schools would be admitted to the Museum at the rate of 3d each

child “in order to afford every child an opportunity of witnessing this interesting exhibition.”

After four days, including evening sessions, Mr Kreitmayer and his Museum of Illustrations

took leave of Geelong.

This article was provided by the Geelong Historical Society. For inquiries, please email

admin@geelonghistoricalsociety.org.au or write C/- P.O. Box 7129, Geelong West, 3218.