CRESWICK MUSEUM RE-OPENS SATURDAY 4TH 2010 11AM TO 3.30PM.
Research Centre (Cnr. Raglan & Cambridge Street)will be open Friday & Saturday 11am to 3.30pm
Creswick Museum is housed in the former Municipal Offices of the Shire of Creswick, situated in the Town Hall complex. The Town Hall was built in 1876 a magnificent two storey National Trust classified building, with a tower and clock. It was opened to the public on November 20th 1970 by Sir Daryl Lindsay. The interior of the building is notable for the magnificent classic winding staircase of local Basalt. From the balcony on the second floor you can look down onto the Lindsay Gallery.
The nucleus of the collection was provided by the late Dr. E.J. Semmens who was a keen collector of photographs and artifacts of Creswick & district. Dr. Semmens believed in saving all items that would be of historical significance, to be held in trust for Creswick and district residents. The Museum has been fortunate to receive several bequests. The collection has been expanded with works of the Lindsay family, especially of Lionel and Daryl, who spent their childhood in Creswick. Paintings by Moyle and Tibbitts illustrate Creswick during the goldrush era. Victor Litherland bequeathed to the people of Creswick the paintings in his studio, the Museum has a collection of over 60, some of which are on display. Paintings by Bernaldo and Longstaff are also featured.
Creswick was the place where the New Australasian No. 2 Mining Disaster happened in 1882 with the loss of 22 miners. Over 125 years has passed but it is still the worst gold mining disaster in Australia. Of the 27 miners who were trapped in the mine on the 12th December 1882 only 5 came out alive. The Museum has a display telling the story and on display artifacts from the mining era, including the lunch pail (billy) on which one of the deceased miners wrote his farewell message.
Upstairs the old Council Chamber is left very much as it was when the Councillors had their last meeting in the room. The walls of the room are covered in portraits of former mayors and councillors.
Researching family history can be undertaken by Museum staff. If we find we have sufficient material the charge is $25.00. Members of the public can have access on Friday & Saturday to our collection at the Research Centre (corner of Cambridge and Raglan Street) Creswick (11am to 3.30pm) . The Museum holds a complete set of “Creswick Advertiser” from 1859 to 1974 on microfilm. At this stage 1975 to 1995 is only available as hard copies and are not available to the public. Fees for public access to our records are $10.00 for 3 hours. Museum’s collection of photographs and artefacts have been digitized and are a great help to people tracing their family history. Copies are available for purchase at $5.00 each.
The Museum is run entirely by a small number of volunteers. The Museum is opened Saturday, Sundays & Public Holidays between 11am to 3.30pm. The Museum is closed Christmas, Boxing Day and Good Friday. Entrance fee is $4.00. Tours can be arranged for groups of 10 or more during the week if 3 days notice is given. Fees for tours are $3.00 per person. Special arrangements can be made for schools. Please contact the Secretary.
Our telephone number is 5345 2845 and if unattended please leave a message or contact us on by e-mail info@creswickmuseum.org. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 215, Creswick 3363.
THE MUSEUM WAS GRANTED A HERITAGE VICTORIA GRANT 2010 FOR RENOVATIONS IN THE MUSEUM
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