Donated buildings on display

The Society was formed in 1970. Beginnings were humble and for some years items were collected and displayed in shop front windows to encourage membership and the donation of artifacts. The dream was always to have a building in which to house items and do justice to the generosity of the donors.

This building - the old Stanthorpe Shire Council Office - was moved to the site in 1973.

 

Today we are proud caretakers of several buildings, with ten of them open for public viewing.

 

The main building houses the reception area, the Jean Harslett Research Room, a comprehensive geological display, the military display, a bottle collection, old clocks, donated art works, photographs, cartoons of local identities and much more.

 

 

 

Willson's Downfall Gaol was once claimed to be the most secure country gaol in Australia.

This 1876 lockup tells its own story of the harsh reality of life in pioneer days.