One of many old Mercury Press printing plates in the museum's collection.
The Mercury Print Museum
The Mercury Print Museum is an interpretation centre with a particular focus on education. The museum has been established in one of Tasmania's oldest buildings, reflecting the early days of Hobart as well as the early days of printing in Tasmania. Displays are contained in three separate rooms, occupying the whole ground floor of the building, and providing easy wheelchair access to and throughout the museum.
Address:
89 Macquarie St, Hobart, TAS
Tel:
0362300736
Hours:
Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm; 1.30 - 4pm
Email:
Admission:
Adults $2, Pensioners and student $1
Facilities:
Guided tours (by arrangement), special and school-group tours, resources for schools, wheelchair access, flier available.
Collection:
Included is a collection of historic print and early Australian communications equipment and associated print memorabilia. The collection includes 18th and 19th cnary printing presses, type cases, early press photographic equipment and the first computers used in the production of The Mercury newspaper in the 1970s. The collection is contained int three rooms in historic Incle Hall, an 1814 Georgian building owned by The Mercury. Interperative panels, video and audio commentaries and archival films support the display. Present day production of the newspaper as well as access to The Mercury's text and photo library system are provided in the museum's main gallery space, depicting the change from early 19th century printing techniques to present day technology.
Items
Mercury press room
Description:
Tasmanian school students visiting the Print Museum are shown through the adjoining Mercury press room by the museum's manager, Rod Boucher.
Morse Code equipment
Printing plate
Mercury Press printing plate.
Camera
Speedgraphic newsman's camera
Veteran Mercury photographer Barry Winburn holds the camera in front of the museum building.
Computing equipment
Description:
An international student group visits the Mercury Print Museum.