Fire Services Museum of Victoria (formerly Eastern Hill Fire Station)
Hours Open
10am - 5pm (last tour at 4:30pm)
Address
39 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne (access to building via Victoria Parade)
Architects
Smith and Johnson, Lloyd Tayler and Fitts; 1922 Oakden Ballantyne and Hare (alterations); 1994 Meredith Gould (watchtower restoration)
Year Built
1892 - 1893
Building Type
Museum
What is Open
The engine room, watch room, original boardroom, international and CFA displays
Tour Frequency
Guided tours every 30 minutes, general access all other times
Tram Stop
Stop 11: Albert Street and Gisborne Street on routes 31, 109 and 112 Stop 12: St Vincent's Plaza on routes 24, 30, 31, 109 and 112
Description
Built as the headquarters for the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Board, the Eastern Hill Fire Station remained the Board's flagship station for nearly ninety years and set the standard for the development of fire fighting installations throughout the city. The tall watchtower dominated the city skyline for over half a century and became an important civic landmark. Today the building houses the Metropolitan Fire Brigade's museum.
Significance
Classified by the National Trust and included in the Victorian Heritage Register, the building is a focal point in the historical development of organised fire fighting in Melbourne. Designed in the Queen Anne style with a number of other architectural styles and influences, the two storey brick building and watchtower contained living quarters, stables, workshop and offices. Commanding panoramic views over the city, the 52m high tower was manned 24 hours a day to allow fires to be quickly identified.
What’s Open?
The Fire Services Museum provides a home and focus for the history of fire fighting services in Victoria. Visitors will have the chance to see the southern hemisphere's largest collection of restored fire trucks, fire appliances, personal histories, memorabilia and associated items spanning several hundred years of fire history. The heart of the museum is a changing display of several fire engines dating from around 1850 to 1950. The regular entry fee will be waived for visitors of Melbourne Open House.
Referenced from: Victorian Heritage Database, www.heritage.vic.gov.au
