MANSFIELD'S Dr Will and Margie Twycross are major sponsors of a new permanent installation opening on October 29 at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building, which includes a significant collection of family objects with links to the two 'World Fairs' of 1880 and 1888 held there.

Following extensive restoration work between 2017 and 2020, the public will be privy to a view of 'Marvellous' Melbourne's history, unseen for 100 years.

The Royal Exhibition Building's southern façade has been restored and the Dome Promenade viewing deck reinstated.

The Twycross family connection is through Will's great grandfather, John 'Top Hat' Twycross; a wealthy wool merchant with a keen eye for valuable artwork and beautiful items which earned him a reputation as a 'well known expert' who amassed a large collection of works from around the world.

As Will explained to ABC broadcaster Virginia Trioli during a recent interview, the connection to the historic site has come full circle with many of the items purchased at the 'World Fairs' by his great grandfather now coming back to be shared by others outside his family.

According to Will, the 'John Twycross Melbourne International Exhibitions Collection' made up of more than 200 objects were carefully curated by four generations of women in his family before being donated in 2008 to Museum Victoria as custodian of the Royal Exhibition Building.

The offer to become sponsors following the donation was tied to a book being published and a commitment to display the collection by Museum Victoria.

Although it has taken 14 years for the work to be completed, Will and his family are delighted with result.

"The donation of the collection formed the nucleus of the idea for the Dome Promenade Experience, which will be a permanent feature at Museum Victoria," said Will.

"It is a gift that keeps giving and I enjoy the fact that it belongs to a public institution."

The pieces on show in both the basement display and as part of the new Dome Experience provide a rare insight into the tastes and trends of the Royal Exhibition Building which was built for the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition.

Will said while some Australian works of art were part of the collection, most items were international and included Japan, China and Europe.

"My great grandfather John and his wife Charlotte only had two children who went on to only have one child each, one of which was my father," he said.

"With a smaller family the valuable collection was not broken up between family members."

As a key attraction of the 1880 and 1888 international exhibitions, the Dome Promenade provided visitors a unique opportunity to overlook the gardens and view the Melbourne skyline.

Among the items on display is a parasol that was no doubt used by John's wife Charlotte to promenade around the dome.

A century later her descendants, including Will and his children, have the same opportunity to be part of a shared history.

The guided experience allows visitors to experience these spectacular views along with an exhibition that explores the building's history and varied uses over time, including the significant John Twycross Collection.