Historic Buildings

Newspapers, files on local organisations (eg churches, schools), photographs, local cemetery records, obituaries and some local family histories are included in this collection. The Society organises displays for special organisations and its local history artefacts are a useful resource for school groups.
The Italian Historical Society [I.H.S] was established in 1980 to collect, preserve, interpret and foster an understanding of the history and heritage of Italian immigration to Australia. It is the only historical society with this specialization in Australia. The main components of the HIS Collection are the library, the photographic collection, oral histories, letters, documents and official records. Within these collections are the other key sub-categories including diplomatic archives, internment records and newspaper cuttings. The HIS is located symbolically, in the heart of Italian...
Coolart is an historic farming property with buildings dating from the 1860s. A 100 years old mansion houses historic photographs and art exhibitions. Other features include historic trail with access to beach and wetlands with hides and walking tracks.Small photographic collection and small collection of old farm machines
Como is one of a few surviving large suburban estates, dating from 1847, just over 10 years after European settlement of the Port Phillip district. For 95 years it was owned by the Armytage family, prominent graziers and well known members of Melbourne Society. Much of their original furniture is in the house today. The house is surrounded by 6.5 acres of beautiful gardens.Approx. 1500 pieces of furniture and decorative art objects, mostly original to the Armytage family's period of ownership (1864-1959).

The Museum, consists of an historic post office (1890), a early and later period school buildings, pioneer's cottage and a bark hut. Lewis Lasseter (of fabled gold reef fame) - story of his activities in the district. His work boat is on display at the Museum. Displays deal with local history - from the discovery of gold, followed by timber getting, then dairying. As the area developed into a thriving community.Approximately 800 artefacts and 2000 photographs, and 100 documents

The Cottage is furnished in the early 1900s style and contains many maps and photographs. Farm machinery and fishing gear are housed in the implement shed that sits in the Cottage's yard.
The Centre is housed in the historic Port Fairy Court House, formerly the district's Supreme court. The main courtroom is intact and includes the original furniture. Four other rooms feature displays on shipping and seafarers of the area, local properties and the origins of Port Fairy, one of Victoria's oldest settlements. Temporary exhibitions relating to the history of the area are also provided.
The Cohuna & District Historical Society Inc was established in 1970 and meetings were held in the old library at the Memorial Hall until 1984. The Museum, which received accreditation from Museums Australia in May 2001, is now housed in the former Presbyterian Church (built 1922). A Co-operative was formed to purchase the Scots Church Hall to house and display the growing collection of artefacts, photos and records. Our main fundraising activity is conducted in the old Sunday School Hall where we have Quarterly Trash & Treasure sales. The Archive & Photographic Collections are housed in the...
The small, four room miner's cottage is a replica of one destroyed by fire in 1991. It contains basic furnishing from the era of the original cottage. The Research Group also maintains an archive collection relating to the development of Ringwood. Archivist at "archives" address on Mondays only, hours approximately: 9.30am-4.30pm.
The Nunawading and District Historical Society Inc. maintains a furnished cottage (c1885) built from local stone, a barn, wine cellar, blacksmith's shop, smokehouse, a museum and an orchard and domestic machine area.About 3,000 artifacts including costumes, lace, handicrafts, tiles and clay products, orchard farming implements, toys, blacksmith's forge and tools, antique furniture and domestic equipment. There are also 3,000 photographs and more than 3,500 documents, books and maps.
Housed in the Mechanics' Institute building, Sorrento, a limestone building classified by the National Trust. The Museum contains artefacts, Aboriginal relics, photographs and documents, models, nineteenth century fashions and household equipment, examples of early technology, shipwreck relics and memorabilia from pioneering families and the great George Coppin. The museum has received accreditation from Museums Australia.Approximately 4000 items some 2000 of which are photographs. The collection covers the history of the Parish of Nepean, Shire of Mornington Peninsula, ie. Rye, Sorrento and...
The Museum and Library of the Society is housed in the hundred year old former Heidelberg Court House, complete with many original furnishings. The regularly changing displays of artefacts, photographs, prints and maps provide an informative insight into the development of Heidelberg and district.2000 items, 2000 photograph
This small historic house was the home of the Cuttle family, founders of Robinvale. Memorabilia of the Cuttle family, especially Robin Cuttle for whom the town is named are displayed, together with some documents and photographs of the town twinning with Villers-Bretonneux.50 items
Buninyong is one of Victoria;s oldest communities, pre-dating gold discovery in 1851. Many historic buildings remain in this heritage township, and the historical society maintains three of these - the 1858 former courthouse, the 1884 courthouse (now the History Centre) and the 1860 Old Library. The Society collects photographs, maps and genealogical information.Paper based collection - 3000 index cards, 1000 photographs, 50 folders; also maps, letters on family history and indexes of rate cards.

This was one of several government magazines built for the safe storage of gunpowder towards the end of the 1850s when surface gold mining became exhausted and blasting was required. Miners lodged gunpowder in the magazine, paying a small rent for the service.20 objects.

The Homestead has been carefully restored and furnished in keeping with the period 1844-1851. It particularly reflects the enterprise and resourcefulness of Georgiana McCrae, diarist, artist, and musician, who raised eight children in the adverse conditions of pioneering life. A modern museum houses a collection of water colours and oil paintings by Georgiana McCrae and other family members.700 objects
Our Museum consists of a house and various out buildings located on two town blocks in Port Welshpool. The collection is spread over the whole area. Our strong point is the early fishing industry in Corner Inlet, including a daily diary kept by the Smith family from 1887-1958. Housed in Welshpool's first residence (1881), the Museum contains a local history collection that includes natural history objects, fishing and maritime artefacts. Original display cases house a magnificent shell collection that dates from the 1800s.Our collection is the contents of the house which is now the museum,...
The complex consists of a Victorian hand built stone cottage (by Arthur Worsley), furnished in the period and complemented by display areas depicting Maryborough's history from 1854 as well as Alfred and George Joyce's squatters' slab hut, now on the Register of the National Estate, and believed to be the oldest building in the district (circa 1844). The complex also has a new resource centre with family and district history records available for research.Approximately 1200 photographs and 1000 items. Items relating to the social history of the Maryborough District including Vic/Edwardian...
This purpose-built building was opened in 1991 and includes a Viewing Room, Archives Room and a Committee Room. The collection includes documents, photographs, slides and a map cabinet.Approximately 51 coloured photos and 360 black and white photographs plus 10 videos and 10 radio cassettes
Heritage Hill is a unique historic precinct located in the heart of Dandenong featuring three century old buildings and 2 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. St James Anglican Church (1864); Laurel Lodge (1869); and Benga Oral History Centre and Garden (1936). survive as fine examples of 19th and 20th century architecture and represent the social, cultural and natural history of Dandenong. Through exhibitions and period rooms, visitors can gain an insight into Dandenong's transformation from a rural market town into a bustling, multicultural metropolis.Laurel Lodge and Benga House a...

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