Darebin Libraries Christmas closure

Our library branches will close at 1pm on Tues 24 December for Christmas. Branches will be closed on Wed 25 December (Christmas Day) and Thurs 26 December (Boxing Day). During this time you can renew online, return books via our chutes and access our digital content.
Branches will reopen on Fri 27 December at 10am.

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Mary Cunningham's Coffee Haven

89 Plenty Road, Preston

Mary Cunningham operated one of two coffee palaces which opened in Plenty Road Preston in 1891. Coffee palaces were often luxuriously decorated buildings designed to offer a non-alcoholic option to hotels however the public did not embrace coffee, preferring tea and hotels were never seriously challenged by this rival. As a result the palaces didn't last long and by 1893 Mary Cunningham was out of business.

Blainey, Geoffrey (2004). Black kettle and full moon : daily life in vanished Australia. Camberwell: Penguin Books.

Sands and McDougall’s Melbourne and Suburban Directory 1864- 1974. [Microfiche]. (1974). Melbourne, Australia: Sands & McDougall.

Image of The former coffee palace in now a private residence — The former coffee palace in now a private residence. [LHRN1761]

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Image of Northcote Leader Advertisement for Mary Cunningham's Coffee Haven on Plenty Road — Northcote Leader Advertisement for Mary Cunningham's Coffee Haven on Plenty Road. [LHRN1737-20]

(JPG, 106KB)

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