Yesterday's tomorrows : the Powerhouse Museum and its precursors 1880-2005

"Yesterday's Tomorrows: The Powerhouse Museum and its Precursors 1880-2005" explores the **history of the Powerhouse Museum** through a thematic lens, focusing on its **innovative exhibitions, significant personalities, and evolution over 125 years** 【1】【3】. The book is structured into three sections: "Visions," "Stories from the Collections," and "Tomorrows" 【1】【8】.

Key themes and topics that can help draw connections to other books include:

*   **Museum History and Evolution**: The book traces the museum's origins from the Australian Museum in 1878 to its transformation into the Powerhouse Museum in 1988 【2】. This provides a historical narrative of institutional change and development.
*   **Exhibition Design and Museum Space**: It delves into the reshaping of museum space, architecture, and design, particularly the transformation of the Ultimo Power Station into a museum 【4】【6】. This connects to broader discussions on museology and architectural history.
*   **Cultural and Technological History**: The book covers a broad spectrum of topics within the museum's history, reflecting its role in showcasing Australian technological and industrial advancements 【2】【5】.
*   **Public History and Identity**: It examines the museum's changing public face, its corporate persona, and its relationship with the community it serves and represents 【4】【7】. This links to studies on public history, cultural representation, and national identity.
*   **Curatorial Practices and Collections**: The "Stories from the Collections" section highlights how the museum's history is presented through its objects and displays 【1】. This relates to books on curatorial studies and the history of collecting.