Earth Exchange, Sydney

Last updated

Earth Exchange
Former name
Geological and Mining Museum
Established1909-1995
TypeMuseum

The Earth Exchange was a museum of minerals and mining located at 36-64 George Street, The Rocks in Sydney. Prior to being re-branded and adopting a new corporate board as the Earth Exchange from 1988-1995, the museum was variously known as the Geological and Mining Museum, the Mining Museumand Chemical Laboratory. The building, collection and the site are of state heritage significance.

Contents

History

The museum operated under various names at 36-64 George Street from 1909-1995. [1] The Earth Exchange was a museum that was re-birthed from the former Sydney Geological and Mining Museum under the auspices of the New South Wales Department of Mineral Resources. Located in the Rocks area of Sydney the building which housed the museum was originally designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, the first New South Wales government architect, as a single storey Electric Light Power Station for the redevelopment of the area in 1900. However, demand for electricity outstripped supply the Powerhouse was capable of ever delivering and the structure remained unused. In 1908, Vernon was asked to submit plans to convert the building into a mining museum and chemical laboratory. He re-submitted his original plans for a six-storey building and added an additional three storeys which was accepted by the government of the day [2]

This public museum resource continued until 1991. Coinciding with a shift to convert some public assets to private enterprises, the Sydney Geological and Mining Museum became The Earth Exchange sponsored substantially by a number of mining companies and the NSW Government through an energy fund. It was one of the first museums to include 'visitor experiences' in developing technological interactivity with audiences in Sydney, including a simulated earthquake section and showcasing underground mining exhibits. However, The Earth Exchange closed in 1995 when the State Government withdrew its annual grant for administration costs. Its collection was dispersed to other public museums most notably the Australian Museum. It subsequently was used to house a number of arts organisations. [1]

Design of the building

The building was designed by the first government architect, Walter Liberty Vernon. Vernon's original plans incorporated six storeys but were reduced to one storey by the government. He re-submitted the original plans for the new museum in 1908 and added three additional storeys. [2] The re-submitted designs were in keeping with the adjacent Federation style wool stores. [2] Vernon used sandstone string work embedded into the predominantly red brick work and included gabled roofs. [2]

Transformation to The Earth Exchange

The Geological and Mining Museum was originally established in 1886 under the auspices of the NSW Geological survey. [3] [4] The collection consisted primarily of fossils, rocks and minerals - many of the petrological and paleontological specimens remained with the Department of Mineral Resources the parent of the Geological Survey. The comprehensive collection accounted for some 20,777 items [5]

The museum was open to the public and functioned as an educational institution with an annual visitation of over 100,000 students from schools. Peak public visitation coincided with school holidays. Refurbishment plans for the museum began in 1984 to coincide with the Bicentennial planned for 1988. [6] The opening of the refurbished museum was delayed until 1991 and rebranded as The Earth Exchange with a board of trustees including business and mining interests. [5]

There were a number of differences that marked the newly branded Earth Exchange from its former life as the Geological and Mining Museum. Firstly, it operated as a semi-commercial operation rather than under the auspices of a public government department. Secondly, the incorporated entity's governance structure (constituted under its own Act of Parliament) included few arts or cultural representatives on the Board of Trustees. Thirdly, the inaugural Director, a principal geologist recruited from the Department of Mineral Resources, who was responsible for the fund raising and redevelopment works, was followed by a new Director appointed directly from the museum profession to complete the project and open the Museum. The Earth Exchange, like all other museums in NSW, was dependent on government support for administration and reliant on continuing sponsorship from the mining industry. The mining industry and government committed a total of some $23 million to the development of this project. [7] Nonetheless, it was also expected to be part of the museum sector and to offer education and curatorial services and to develop and preserve its various collections. However, tension arose between The Earth Exchange and the Australian Museum when The Earth Exchange was successful, with NSW Government support, in acquiring competitively the world-class Albert Chapman minerals collection. The new director was not only an advocate of traditional museum services but was also an advocate of the value of entertainment for visitors - a relatively new and controversial concept in museology. [8] Like all other museums, this entity at its re-birth was to some extent caught in a tension between an adherence to museological practice which demanded scholarship, balanced exhibitions and scope for debate and specialist benefactors and sponsors who were keen to showcase the benefits of the extractive industries to Australia's economy. [9]

At the time of The Earth Exchange's entry into the museum sector, a number of other new museums entered the space. [5] This meant that there was significant competition for visitor numbers spread among more museum attractions. [5] The Earth Exchange's business model was predicated on high numbers of paying visitors in a culturally competitive environment. The projected visitor figures and associated income was always unlikely to be realised where entry was free at most museums. Even when subsequently museum entry fees were generally introduced, the entry fee to The Earth Exchange was double that of its competitors. [9]

Collection and Visitor Experience

The Earth Exchange had inherited a significant collection from its former incarnation. [10] It had also acquired the valuable and prestigious Minerals Collection, specially displayed on the fifth floor of the museum. [11] Additionally, the Earth Exchange introduced a number of interactive and immersive displays that were intended to involve visitors in simulations of earthquakes and underground mining. These immersive attractions were costly to develop and were subject to a number of ongoing technical disruptions, disappointing visitors who may have expected more from their entry fee. This became particularly problematic when a survey (1992) of visitors indicated that 73% of respondents had attended because of the entertainment elements. [9]

The building itself was difficult to navigate given its original purpose as a powerhouse. [2] It was designed as a vertical entity not the usual horizontal design of a museum. Visitor flow was difficult, costs associated with maintenance for interactive displays increased and turnover of exhibitions was minimal.

In addition, there was increasing dislocation between the Director and the Board of Trustees when temporary exhibitions on energy and environmental concerns were mounted . [9]

Controversy about the museum's future

There were a number of controversies surrounding The Earth Exchange even at its inception. These controversies compounded over the years 1991-1995 when The Earth Exchange was finally closed. The most significant controversies revolved around a mismatch of expectation among a number of stakeholders. The Board of Trustees were expecting The Earth Exchange to be a showcase of the value of the extractive industries; the Director of the museum was professionally aligned with concepts of museology which promoted education, debate and scholarship.

The Director was also an advocate of the value of entertainment as a way of attracting visitor numbers, which was critical given the museum's reliance on private resource provision. At the same time, Sydney was developing a number of visitor attractions where such entertainment and education could be consumed reliably and relatively cheaply compared to The Earth Exchange (The Story of Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Arts, Australian National Maritime Museum, Hyde Park Barracks, and Darling Harbour attractions).

The Earth Exchange, a creature of the Department of Minerals and Energy, lay outside the museum sector supported by the Ministry for the Arts. This was an uncomfortable position for The Earth Exchange to occupy when sponsorship started to fall away and reliance on government came to the fore. The Ministry for the Arts at the time became increasingly powerful within the government of the day and believed that the acquisition of the prized Albert Chapman Minerals Collection would have been better housed in another museum. They were reluctant to come to the aid of The Earth Exchange in the final analysis given their own growing cultural portfolio. [9]

The Earth Exchange finally closed its doors in 1995. Its collection was re-distributed among other museums and the prized Albert Chapman Minerals Collection was acquired by the Australian Museum. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

Powerhouse Museum Technology museum in New South Wales, Australia

The Powerhouse Museum is the major branch of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences (MAAS) in Sydney, the others being the historic Sydney Observatory at Observatory Hill, and the newer Museums Discovery Centre at Castle Hill. Although often described as a science museum, the Powerhouse has a diverse collection encompassing all sorts of technology including decorative arts, science, communication, transport, costume, furniture, media, computer technology, space technology and steam engines.

Australian Museum Museum in Sydney, Australia

The Australian Museum is a heritage-listed museum at 1 William Street, Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia. It is the oldest museum in Australia, and the fifth oldest natural history museum in the world, with an international reputation in the fields of natural history and anthropology. It was first conceived and developed along the contemporary European model of an encyclopedic warehouse of cultural and natural history and features collections of vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, as well as mineralogy, palaeontology and anthropology. Apart from exhibitions, the museum is also involved in Indigenous studies research and community programs. In the museum's early years, collecting was its main priority, and specimens were commonly traded with British and other European institutions. The scientific stature of the museum was established under the curatorship of Gerard Krefft, himself a published scientist.

State Library of New South Wales Central library for the state of New South Wales, Australia

The State Library of New South Wales, part of which is known as the Mitchell Library, is a large heritage-listed special collections, reference and research library open to the public. It is the oldest library in Australia, being the first established in the colony of New South Wales in 1826. The library is located on the corner of Macquarie Street and Shakespeare Place, in the Sydney central business district adjacent to the Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens, in the City of Sydney. The library is a member of the National and State Libraries Australia (NSLA) consortium.

Art Gallery of New South Wales Public art gallery in Sydney, Australia

The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), founded as the New South Wales Academy of Art in 1872 and known as the National Art Gallery of New South Wales between 1883 and 1958, is located in The Domain, Sydney, Australia. It is the most important public gallery in Sydney and one of the largest in Australia.

Jenolan Caves Protected area in New South Wales, Australia

The Jenolan Caves are limestone caves located within the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve in the Central Tablelands region, west of the Blue Mountains, in Jenolan, Oberon Council, New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The caves and 3,083-hectare (7,620-acre) reserve are situated approximately 175 kilometres (109 mi) west of Sydney, 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Oberon and 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Katoomba.

Parliament House, Sydney House of parliament for State of New South Wales, Australia

The Parliament House in Sydney is a heritage-listed complex of buildings housing the Parliament of the state of New South Wales, Australia. The building is located on the east side of Macquarie Street in Sydney, the state capital. The façade consists of a two-storey Georgian building, the oldest public building in the City of Sydney, flanked by two Neo-gothic additions containing the parliamentary chambers. These buildings are linked to a 1970s 12-storey block at the rear, facing onto the Domain. It is also known as Parliament of New South Wales, Parliamentary Precincts and the Rum Hospital.

Chief Secretarys building Heritage-listed government building in Sydney, Australia

The Chief Secretary's building is a heritage-listed state government administrative building of the Victorian Free Classical architectural style located at 121 Macquarie Street, 65 Bridge Street, and at 44-50 Phillip Street in the Sydney central business district of New South Wales, Australia. The ornate five-storey public building was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and built in two stages, the first stages being levels one to four completed between 1873 and 1881, with Walter Liberty Vernon completing the second stage between 1894 and 1896 when the mansard at level five and the dome were added.

Department of Lands building Heritage-listed government building in Sydney, Australia

The Department of Lands building is a heritage-listed state government administrative building of the Victorian Renaissance Revival architectural style located in Bridge Street in the Sydney central business district of New South Wales, Australia. The large three-storey public building was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and built in different stages, with Walter Liberty Vernon and William Edmund Kemp designing various components of the building. The builder was John Young.

Bridge Street, Sydney Street in Sydney, Australia

Bridge Street is a street in the central business district of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. Bridge Street runs for 500 metres (1,600 ft) in a west–east direction with traffic flowing in both directions. It is situated in the northern portion of the central business district. The western terminus of Bridge Street is at George Street, with the eastern terminus at Macquarie Street, adjacent to the Chief Secretary's Building. From west to east, Bridge Street crosses Pitt and Phillip streets.

Justice and Police Museum Living history museum in New South Wales, Australia

The Justice and Police Museum is a heritage-listed former water police station, offices and courthouse and now justice and police museum located at 4-8 Phillip Street on the corner of Albert Street, in the Sydney central business district in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Edmund Blacket, Alexander Dawson and James Barnet and built from 1854 to 1886. It is also known as Police Station & Law Courts (former) and Traffic Court. The property is owned by the Department of Justice, a department of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Broken Hill Post Office

Broken Hill Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at 258-260 Argent Street, Broken Hill, City of Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. The original building was designed by James Barnet, and was built from 1890 to 1892 by John Dobbie. Walter Liberty Vernon designed a telegraph office addition in 1900. The property is owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 08 November 2011.

Old Wollongong East Post Office

Old Wollongong East Post Office is a heritage-listed former post office, telegraph office and telephone exchange at 91 Crown Street, Wollongong, City of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the NSW Colonial Architect's Office and built from 1890 to 1892 by Messrs Banks and Whitehouse. Prior to 1968, it was also known as Wollongong Post and Telegraph Office or Wollongong Post Office. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 24 January 2003.

Department of Mineral Resources Historic Photographs Collection

The Department of Mineral Resources Historic Photographs Collection is a heritage-listed photographic collection at 516 High Street, Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. It was established from 1860. It is also known as the Geological Survey collection of historic images. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Pyrmont Post Office

Pyrmont Post Office is a heritage-listed former post office and now bank branch office located at 148 Harris Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of Pyrmont in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Government Architect’s Office under Walter Liberty Vernon. The property is owned by Australia Post, an agency of the Commonwealth Government of Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004 and to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.

Ultimo Post Office

The Ultimo Post Office is a heritage-listed former post office located at 494 Harris Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of Ultimo in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The property is owned by Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Science, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Old Bushells Factory

The Old Bushells Factory is a heritage-listed former Bushells Tea factory and warehouse, now used as shops, offices and an art gallery, located at 86-88 George Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. No. 86 was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon; and both buildings were built from 1886 to 1912. It is also known as the Old Bushells Factory and Warehouse; Bushells Place; Bushells Warehouse and Bushells Offices; and Health Commission Building (Bushell's). The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

Old Mining Museum Building

The Old Mining Museum building is a heritage-listed former chemical laboratory and mining museum and now commercial building located at 36-64 George Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and built from 1902 to 1909. It is also known as Mining Museum (former), Earth Exchange and Sydney Geological and Mining Museum. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

Public Trust Office

The Public Trust Office is a heritage-listed office building at 19–21 O'Connell Street, Sydney, Australia. It was designed by Ross & Rowe and built from 1926. It is also known as the Public Trustee. It was originally known as Rofe Chambers. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Young Street Terraces

The Young Street Terraces are heritage-listed former government offices and nurses' quarters, and now offices, at 36-42 Young Street, in the Sydney central business district in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. Its design and construction was attributed to Joseph Paul Walker and built from 1874 to 1875. It is also known as the Sydney Hospital Nurses Annex; Nurses quarters; or Government Offices. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

93-97 Macquarie Street, Sydney Heritage-listed building in Sydney, Australia

93-97 Macquarie Street, Sydney or formerly the Health Department building is a heritage-listed former government office, health clinic and hospital admissions depot and now hotel at 93-97 Macquarie Street, in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and NSW Government Architect and built from 1896 to 1898. It is currently part of the Sir Stamford Hotel, which formerly was a Ritz Carlton Hotel. In its history it has also been used as the Venereal Disease Clinic, STD Clinic, Hospital Admissions Depot and Former Health Board Offices. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 9 October 2013.

References

  1. 1 2 Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. "Mining Museum (former) Statement of Significance Heritage and Conservation Register". www.shfa.nsw.gov.au. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Earth Exchange Building". www.visitsydneyaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  3. ↑ "MINING AND GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM". Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). 10 December 1887. p. 10. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  4. ↑ Card, George William; Geological Survey of New South Wales (1902). Handbook to the Mining and Geological Museum, Sydney. W.A. Gullick, government printer.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Burton, Christine (2006). "Here to stay : the role of value creation, capture and exchange in limiting the liability of newness for new entrant museums" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  6. ↑ New South Wales Department of Public Works; New South Wales Department of Mineral Resources (1988). Redevelopment of the Mining Museum, Sydney.
  7. ↑ Garner, B. (1982). "Economic Strategy for the Mining Museum". Minute Paper State Records AK520 Box 5.
  8. ↑ Cochrane, P. "How Sydney became the Cultural Capital". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 50.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Burton, C. (1 June 2007). "How a museum dies: The case of new entry failure of a Sydney museum". Museum Management and Curatorship. hdl:10453/1160. ISSN   0964-7775.
  10. ↑ "THE SYDNEY MINING MUSEUM". Sydney Stock and Station Journal (NSW : 1896 - 1924). 30 December 1910. p. 15. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  11. ↑ Earth Exchange Annual report 1990-1. Trustees of the Earth Exchange and Geological Mining Museum. 1991.
  12. ↑ "Albert Chapman collection". The Australian Museum. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.