Clunes Museum |
36 Fraser St, Clunes - The Museum is housed in the former Warehouse (c.1860) of contractors Nichol and Wallace.
The redeveloped Nichol and Wallace building, now known as The Warehouse, to reflect it's 19th century history, reopened in 2014 as a Hub housing the Museum, the Library, the Visitor information Centre, the Hepburn Shire Service Centre as well as event and meeting spaces.
Museum Window Display
The Fraser Street shopfront display is designed to arouse curiosity and increase visits. Displays are changed throughout the year. A regular feature is a display of newspaper reports from 100 years ago published in the Clunes Guardian and Gazette.
The Clunes Museum's Research Department has a wide range of historical records of the town of Clunes and the surrounding district. These records cover the period from 1860 to 1940. There are a few documents prior to 1860 and some after 1940.
Our main resources of information are the Borough of Clunes Rate Books and Voters Rolls and the Shire of Talbot records of the rural areas surrounding Clunes.
The Clunes newspapers, which began publication in 1860, are an invaluable source of information although several issues are missing until the 1880s. Cemetery records, Church records (except the Roman Catholic records), School rolls, banking ledgers and mining association lists, council minutes and local histories of the town and organisations add to the resources we have.
These records enable us to trace most families who lived in Clunes, except the "floating" population of the mining days, who moved from goldfield to goldfield and lived in tents or stayed with relatives or perhaps in one of the many boarding houses.
We have also records of all Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages and can undertake Family Tree research.
Punching the Bundy
One of the many interesting pieces you will find on display in the Clunes Museum is the 'Bundy' time clock from the Clunes Interknit Mill. This rare early twentieth century IBM time clock was used by employees at the Knitting Mill.
Permanent Exhibitions
The Gold Room
This room displays artifacts related to Natural History, the traditional owners - the Dja Dja Warrung, the pastoral era and the discovery of gold. Highlights include the 19th century taxidermy cabinet of local native fauna and the miner's cradle.
Sir John Longstaff Kitchen
This room recreates a typical kitchen in a 19th century miner's cottage and is inspired by Sir John Longstaff's iconic 1887 masterpiece "Breaking the News".
Laura Hudson Parlour
This room reflects the domestic life of Laura Hudson (1848-1953) and the contents of a typical miner's cottage parlour.
Rivett Bland / Mayor's Room
This room displays items relating to the mining era, the Borough of Clunes era of local government and the church history of Clunes.
Holly Barkell Gallery
This space contains a fascinating collection of artefacts reflecting the Musical, Industrial, Farming, Fire Brigade, Dressmaking, Educational and Military heritage of the district.
Museum hours
Monday 10am to 5pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday to Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 1pm
Sunday 10am to 2pm (subject to volunteer availability)
❊ Address ❊
⊜ 36 Fraser St, Clunes View Map
✆ Telephone: (03) 5345 3592
❊ Web Links ❊
➼ Clunes Museum
❊ Also See... ❊
➼ Clunes Agricultural Show 2025
➼ Clunes Farmers' & Makers Market
➼ The Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles - Clunes
Disclaimer: Check with the venue (web links) before making plans, travelling or buying tickets.
Accessibility: Contact the venue for accessibility information.
Clunes Museum is located on Djaara Country. Dja Dja Wurrung Clans and their forebearers are the Traditional Custodians of this land. We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung living culture and the unique role it plays in the life of this region.
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