Comment

Comment on Discussion Thread 🦕 Wednesday 1 July 2026

Went to the museum. The kids wanted to go but I’m not really into it anymore. The “new” museum doesn’t really do it for me the way the old one did. I like the history of Melbourne display, pharlap and the outside forest bit but to me it’s just a cavernous space with convention centre vibes.

source

Sort:hotnew top

Seagoon_@aussie.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
I agree. The old cabinet museum style is more interesting in a way. There is more discovery as you see things. You have to make a effort too. There are more objects. And it’s not dumbed down. Also, it’s like an adventure in time to see old buildings and exhibits made in the past. That’s a part of our history too.

But it’s not the museum’s fault. A lot of the exhibits are now so old they require repairs and special preservation before they can go on display again.

I was sad to see the Foucault’s Pendulum had moved to Melbourne Uni. It was one of few in the Southern Hemisphere and proof the world is round and rotates!

The museum shop is so very disappointing, I could buy the things they sell just about anywhere.

and really expensive. It used to be free. It used to be in the centre of the city . It was once the most visited tourist attraction in Melbourne. But Crown Casino got built and Jeff’s mates didn’t want the competition.

source
- PeelerSheila@aussie.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
  True, and I guess at some point it became important for museums to generate an income, so a lot of displays are “interactive” (push a button, funky lighting) and aimed towards attracting little kids.
  
  On another subject, I thought at some point today, I miss how rich people used to be (was probably looking at the Coles Book Arcade display). As in, for example, “I’m rich and I believe all people should get to enjoy art,” “I’m rich and I believe all people should have access to books/botanical gardens/museums etc.” Now all rich people seem to want to do is build pen!s rockets and collect politicians.
  
  source
  - Seagoon_@aussie.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
    There are a lot of rich people who do charity work quietly
    
    source
- Seagoon_@aussie.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
  these small museums are weird, interesting, old fashioned and free.
  
  museumsandcollections.unimelb.edu.au/collections
  
  source
Taleya@aussie.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
big time. The wonderful victorian feel of the old museum was such a vibe

source