Buckle up for a nostalgic ride through Australia's mid-century motels and drive-ins as Professor Graeme Davison takes you on a journey inspired by our touring exhibition, Reception this way: motels – a sentimental journey with Tim Ross.

Explore the rise of the motel, the most popular of the many American-inspired innovations that transformed Australia's towns and suburbs in the 1950s and 1960s.

From drive-in cinemas and bottle shops to service stations and carports, these developments were met with some resistance. Still, they were ultimately embraced by Australians due to the freedom and convenience that this new car-driven world created.

Reception this way: motels – a sentimental journey with Tim Ross exhibition is currently on tour in Melbourne at the Victorian Archives Centre until 27 October 2024.

This event is co-presented with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.