1891 Exhibition Building and Concert Hall (The Old Museum), Brisbane, Australia

SuperTrouper

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The Old Museum Building (originally, the Exhibition Building and Concert Hall) is a heritage-listed former exhibition building, former museum and now performance venue in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is made from 1.3 million red bricks. A narrative tells us that it was built in 1891 for the Queensland National Agricultural and Industrial Association. This was allegedly after Brisbane's first exhibition building was destroyed by fire on 13 June 1888. Apparently, in 1899, the Exhibition Hall became home to the Queensland Museum, with the museum remaining in the building until its relocation in 1986.

You've guessed it: there are no construction photos. Note that a narrative posits that Kodak n°1 box camera, the first easy-to-use camera with the slogan, "You press the button, we do the rest" was introduced in 1888. Why did no one bother to take a snap of construction?

A narrative gives credit for the exhibition building to George Henry Male Addison (1857–1922). GHMA must have been an absolute genius judging by the number of amazing heritage buildings he allegedly designed particularly in the period between 1888 and 1891. How does one get such an outburst of creative genius?

It is claimed that "this is an exotic building from the Victorian period which incorporates Romanesque, Byzantine, Indo-Saracenic architecture." The term Indo-Saracenic is particularly interesting. A broader home for it is Moorish Revival architecture. I'm feeling moreish. Have a look below at "sister building" Gran Teatro Falla in Cadiz, or the Palace of Manguinhos in Rio de Janeiro. How about the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, or all this in Bosnia? I could go on and on. What's this telling you?

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Gran Teatro Falla Cadiz.jpg
 

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