Old Mining Museum Building

The Old Mining Museum building is a heritage-listed former chemical laboratory and mining museum and now commercial building located at 36–64 George Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and built from 1902 to 1909. It is also known as Mining Museum (former), Earth Exchange and Sydney Geological and Mining Museum. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

Late 18th century maps and plans of the area indicate that the site was not occupied by any buildings or other human structures.

In 1807 Meehan's map includes the site within a larger parcel of land bounded by High Street (now George Street) and the northern end of Sydney Cove, with the reference "leased to Robert Campbell Esquire" along with two adjoining parcels of land, one to the south, and the other on the western side of High Street.

By 1902 the site of an old quarry that had otherwise not been developed before. Between 1902 and 1904 the lower part of the subject building constructed on the site for a power station and workshops. In 1908 the site vested in Mines Department. Between 1908 and 1909 the upper levels of the subject building constructed for a mining museum and chemical laboratories. In 1901 the Plan of Sydney in Fitzgerald's Royal Commission indicates the present site boundaries. In 1902 plans were drawn by Government Architect Walter Vernon for an Electric Light Station and Workshop. The plan shows six level structure facing George Street and a similar structure facing Hickson Road, with an octagonal chimney stack on the northern side, and an attic level behind Romanesque style parapets and gabled roofs. In 1903, revised plans drawn by Vernon for the Electric Light Station and Workshop now shows a two level structure facing George Street and a three levels high structure facing Hickson Road, with an octagonal chimney stack 60 metres (200 ft) in height on the northern side, and simple gabled roofs. Between 1902 and 1904 the lower part of the building constructed on the site for a power station and workshops but and left unfinished and roofless, with the generating equipment never installed. By 1908 the site was vested in the NSW Mines Department. Between 1908 and 1909 the upper levels of the subject building constructed for a mining museum and chemical laboratories, and a new entrance into George Street, with the Mining Museum opening in August 1909.

By 1930 the Julian Ashton Art School moved into the vacant first floor. A museum shop was established in 1972; and in the following year the Julian Ashton Art School moved out of the building. In 1987 refurbishment plans launched but later delayed until 1989, when the building was transferred to the Geological and Mining Museum Trust, and the name changed to The Earth Exchange. In 1991 the Earth Exchange opened in March; and by 1996 the museum closed permanently. Since 1996, the building has been fitted out for offices.

Archaeological History – Land occupied by Cunnyngehams shipyard by 1840s. Current structure originally constructed as a DC Electricity Power Station between 1902–07. The building is illustrative of the then debate on electricity supply, DC current being strongly, and stubbornly, supported by Thomas Edison. Generally however AC power was universally adopted and this power station was never put into action. In 1909 it became the Mining Museum and remained so until 1995 (by which time it was known as the Earth Exchange). Since then it has generally been vacant with various proposals by the NSW Ministry for the Arts.

The building is a former electrical power station; built between 1902 and 1909. The principal building on the site is the Former Mining Museum and Chemical Laboratory, consisting of a six-storey building and a detached 61-metre (200 ft) high chimney stack, which has been recessed into the side of the rectangular plan of the building. The building addresses two roadways, George Street and Hickson Road. It would appear that considerable bedrock has been excavated to George Street which is approximately three storeys above Hickson Road to facilitate the building on the site. The Former Mining Museum and Chemical Laboratory building has a direct relationship with Circular Quay, George Street and Hickson Road. Positioned between these two important roadways, the building dominates the immediate precinct with its impressive chimney stack, large building scale and its fine proportions. Generally, the building is constructed with a combination of sandstone, brick and rendered facades. The roof is composed of a series of gable roofs, with central sawtooth roof lights. The internal construction is chiefly rolled steel column and beam structure with various sections concrete slab and timber floor construction.

Brick chimney – 61 metres (200 ft) high and foundations.