Cultural Treasures Festival, 28–29 July 2012

Above: The rhino, in The Historie of Fovre-footed Beastes …, by Edward Topsell, London: Printed by William Jaggard, 1607, p. 595. Gift of the Alfred Hart Bequest, Special Collections, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne

The biennial University of Melbourne Cultural Treasures Festival is a free program of exhibitions, walks, talks, seminars, demonstrations, displays and guided tours—all showcasing the University’s of Melbourne’s rich array of museums and collections. Included among the many walks through the historic Parkville campus will be programs focusing on botanical, medical, musical and scientific collections, architecture and ‘Cultural rubble’, a guided tour of some of the outdoor sculptures. In addition, staff and researchers will be running seminars and presentations.

This free, two-day event will take place over the weekend of 28 and 29 July 2012. On the same weekend two other major events will be held on campus: the 39th Australian Antiquarian Book Fair (in the splendid Wilson Hall), and the Melbourne Open House program, which gives visitors a rare opportunity to explore numerous buildings of architectural interest, including some of the colleges.

For further information about the Cultural Treasures Festival 2012 see www.unimelb.edu.au/culturalcollections/treasuresdays, email cultural-collections@unimelb.edu.au or call (03) 8344 0216. The website will be updated as new programs are confirmed. Bookings for tours are essential.