Perth
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...
, Western Australia. Designed in the Victorian Byzantine style by
George Temple-Poole
George Thomas Temple-Poole (born George Thomas Temple, 29 May 1856 – 27 February 1934) was a British architect and public servant, primarily known for his work in Western Australia from 1885.
As Superintendent of Public Works, and then Pri ...
St Georges Terrace
St Georges Terrace (colloquially known as "The Terrace") is the main street in the city of Perth, Western Australia. It runs parallel to the Swan River and forms the major arterial road through the central business district.
Its western e ...
to commemorate
Queen Victoria
Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 21 ...
's Golden Jubilee in 1887. However, by 1894, enthusiasm for the project had waned and the St Georges Terrace site had been abandoned. After several years, a site was selected near the corner of James Street and Beaufort Street to adjoin several other buildings including the old
Perth Gaol
The Perth Gaol (often referred to as the Old Perth Gaol) was a gaol built in Perth, the state capital of Western Australia, between 1854 and 1856 to house convicts and other prisoners. It is located just west of Beaufort Street.
It operated unt ...
which was being used for museum displays and storage. It was still termed the "Victoria Public Library" when it was being built in 1897.
The
Hackett Hall
Hackett Hall is a heritage listed building, previously housing part of the State Library of Western Australia. It is now a part of the new WA Museum Boola Bardip complex in the Perth Cultural Centre, in Western Australia. The name of the Hall i ...
that housed the Public Library is immediately west of the building.
Construction started in 1897. The museum moved into the basement prior to the building's completion in 1899.
It has been included in the redevelopment of the Western Australian Museum, as part of the Perth Cultural Centre. The entire building has been refurbished, with the terrace and grand entrance reopened.