LILYDALE ICON - The history of Lilydale’s Athenaeum Building
by Anthony McAleer

A monumental three-volume encyclopaedia that details the complete history of Lilydale’s most important heritage building, ‘The Athenaeum’. From Mechanics’ Institute to majestic theatre, for well over a century this building has been the showcase for Lilydale’s social and cultural history.

From 1888 onwards the people of Lilydale have constantly re-invented the Athenaeum to fit in with the community’s ever changing needs. As a result it has been a Mechanics’ Institute, a library, a community hall, a performance stage, a lecture hall, a place of worship, a meeting room, a cinema, an indoor sports stadium, a roller skating rink, a military drill hall, a work room, a venue for political forums, a polling booth, a ballroom, a concert hall and even a museum.

For the past 35 years however it has been the home of one of the best non-professional theatre companies in Victoria, ‘The Athenaeum Theatre Company’. Wonderfully illustrated with photos and historical ephemera, Lilydale Icon, chronicles a large slice of Australian life. It is also the detailed story of a building that holds a special place in the memories of many generations of Lilydale residents.

View alphabetical index of Lilydale Icon

The complete 3 volume set only $40.00.

Elegant leather bound limited edition set $60.00.

Postage and handling within Australia $11.00 per set. All prices include GST.