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Libraries ACT




ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collection

HMSS 0081 Hotel Acton Guest Books

Scope and Content Notes 

Call Number

HMSS 0081

Collection 

Hotel Acton Guest Books

Date Range

1960-1962

Quantity

0.32m  (1 large manuscript box)

Access Conditions

open

Copying Conditions

with attribution

Hotel Acton was opened on 5 May 1927 and accommodated many guests in Canberra for the opening of Parliament House on 9 May 1927.

The Hotel Acton was a replica of the Hotel Kurrajong in Barton designed by Commonwealth Architect John Smith Murdoch.  It provided accommodation for families and singles, including permanent boarders.

In 1930, the Hotel was closed to guests and was occupied by the Patent Office until 1940.  In 1940, the Hotel Acton was home to the ACT Police, the Canberra University College and the Office of the Prices Commissioner.

With a growth in population, it was decided to recommission the Hotel Acton as a hostel in early 1945.  It remained a Commonwealth Hostel until 24 July 1976.

In March 1977, the Hotel Acton was renamed Acton House and leased to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, the Australian Federal Police, the Resolution Centre and other organisations.  AIATSIS staff found these records and transferred them to the ACT Heritage Library.

By 2000 the Acton was privately owned and empty.  In 2006, developers The Molonglo Group, incorporated the heritage listed Hotel Acton into its New Acton development which included an 18 storey tower, private residences and the Diamant Hotel. 

Box List

BOX
NO.

DESCRIPTION

QTY

DATE RANGE

1

Guest Book

1 volume

01 July 1960 - 24 December 1960

Guest Book

1 volume

25 December 1960 - 20 June 1961

1

Guest Book
includes list of names of 31 former guests at Canberra establishments not to be re-admitted without consent of the manager of the Commonwealth Hostels Limited

1 volume

21 June 1961 - 17 March 1962

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