An aerial, wide shot of Trades Hall Melbourne, a large, historical, light-coloured stone building with neoclassical architecture featuring a prominent central portico with columns.

25 – 26 Jul

Trades Hall and Literary Institute: Open House

The Trades Hall and Literary Institute is the world's oldest continuously active trade union building. It has been the hub of working life in Melbourne since 1859, three years after the eight-hour day was secured for stonemasons in Melbourne.

The current building was constructed in ten stages from 1874 to 1960. It is mainly Neoclassical architecture with a relatively newer 1960s building at the back of the complex.

The venue will be free to explore open access as part of the Open House Melbourne weekend (self-guided tours; no bookings required).

For those wanting to dive a little deeper book a ticketed 60-minute tour that takes place on both days ($7): a Feminist History tour (12pm), or a Making a Heritage Building Modern tour (2pm).