North Melbourne Ghost Signs: Cultural Archaeology in Haunted Hotham

You’ve likely stumbled upon them, roaming the winding streets of North Melbourne, your eyes glancing skyward to glimpse the faded, tattooed history clinging to the shopfronts of Victoria, the bricks of Abbotsford, the plaster on Queensberry. Ghost signs – those timeworn remnants of advertisements past, keepers of tales hidden in plain sight.

You’re invited to a night drenched in stories, histories and mysteries. From 5:30pm view an exhibition of original records from our State Archives Collection, on display for one night only. Then at 6pm we'll be hosting a talk by Sean Reynolds, the madcap maestro behind the cult-hit Instagram phenomenon Melbourne Ghost Signs. Brace yourself to rendezvous with the Sartorial Sultan of Errol Street; gawk at the ludicrous matrimony of milk & cigarettes - the true breakfast of champions; and unravel the cryptic enigma of a “cultural archaeologist”.

You'll also receive your own ghost sign map, so when you walk out into the night air, take the opportunity to explore the streets surrounding the Victorian Archives Centre and see these echoes of history first-hand.

This event is part of Melbourne Rare Book Week 2024.

And for those unable to make it to the Victorian Archives Centre, we'll be live-streaming Sean's talk via Zoom - select the online option when reserving your ticket.

Host or Publisher Public Record Office Victoria