Port Phillip Heritage Centre
Temporary Closure of Port Phillip Heritage Centre for sound treatment
Oral History Room Opening Soon!
The Port Phillip Heritage Centre (at Emerald Hill Library, South Melbourne) will temporarily close from Monday 19 May to Monday 26 May for sound treatment installation.
We're transforming our space to create a professional Oral History Room - a high-quality recording studio dedicated to capturing diverse local stories from across our community.
We appreciate your patience during these important improvements and look forward to welcoming you into a new space soon.
The works will not impact of the opening hours for the Emerald Hill Library.
The Port Phillip Heritage Centre will reopen to the public on Tuesday 27 of May 2025.
Our Port Phillip Heritage Centre
Housed within the Emerald Hill Library in South Melbourne, the Port Phillip Heritage Centre provides access to historical information and a rich range of experiences through its resources, programs and staff.
The Heritage Centre contains a wide range of material relating to the histories of South Melbourne, St Kilda, and Port Melbourne, once separate municipalities which were brought together in 1994 to become the City of Port Phillip. These former cities are some of the oldest municipalities in Melbourne. South Melbourne (formerly named Emerald Hill) became a municipality in 1855. St Kilda became a municipality in 1857, and Port Melbourne (formerly named Sandridge) became a municipality in 1860.
The resources in this collection can be used to assist in researching both local and family history.
Local History Services
We can assist you with
- access to the local history collection
- researching the history of your house
- accessing family history online databases
To make an enquiry or book an appointment phone 03 9209 6795 or email LocalHistory@portphillip.vic.gov.au
The heritage centre provides access to historical records and guidance on researching public resources. We do not actively identify or contact living individuals.
Discover the Local History collection
The Local History collection contains a wide range of information and research resources derived from the former cities of South Melbourne, St Kilda and Port Melbourne. Search through rate books, local newspapers, electoral rolls, and more.
This page is being updated regularly - please check back for new resources.
The History of your House
Search through rate books and the Sands & McDougall Directories to trace the history of your house.
Trace your Family History
Using resources from the Port Phillip Heritage Centre, learn about the history of family members who lived in South Melbourne, St Kilda, or Port Melbourne.
History and Heritage
Our municipality has many shared and diverse histories, from thousands of generations for First Peoples, to our newest migrants. Learn more about rich history of South Melbourne, St Kilda, and Port Melbourne through photographs, community stories, interviews, videos, and guided walks.
View from the Town Hall clock tower looking north-east along Bay Street, c1895 (Port Phillip City Collection PM1039)
Contact the Local History team
The Port Phillip Heritage Centre is open Monday to Friday. Check the opening hours here.
Email: library-LocalHistoryTeam@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 9209 6795
Heritage Centre address: 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205.
