International Exhibitions and Urban Aspirations: Launceston, Tasmania, in the Nineteenth Century

As separate British colonies (prior to Federation in 1901 ), the Australian states, including Tasmania, participated in most of the large international exhibitions of the nineteenth century, beginning with London in 1851. The Australian contributions to the Great Exhibition were, however, assembled in rather an ad hoc fashion, with many submissions made by individuals without much reference to an overall organization. Recognizing the time and work involved in obtaining and preparing suitable exhibits, shipping them safely and displaying them to best advantage, some colonies decided to organize local or inter-colonial exhibitions, to take place in the year preceding a major international exhibition, both as an aid to preparation and for the benefit of the local community. Melbourne, for example, hosted such exhibitions in 1854, 1861, 1866, 1872 and 1875, prior to the Paris 1855, London 1862, Paris 1867, Vienna.1873 and Philadelphia 1876 events.