The Queenscliff Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying the social history of the Borough of Queenscliff since the earliest explorations and settlement in Port Phillip.

From 1838 the maritime history began with services offered by pilots such as George Tobin, and lighthouse keepers and signal masters such as Captain John Preston at Point Lonsdale. Their social history is retraced through the Museum's records and displays.

From 1853 when the area known as Shortland's Bluff was proclaimed the township of Queenscliff, the Museum records show the development of private land ownership and of the municipality.

The story of the Borough of Queenscliff is displayed through a representative selection from the Museum's collections of personal memorabilia, household artefacts, furniture, maps, photographs, documents and works of art.

There is also a display of shipwreck relics recognised by Heritage Victoria. And, a special collection of clothing and textiles including hand embroidered clothes, home made toys, lace and tatting, hats, gloves, shoes and uniforms.

The Museum seeks at all times to focus on the people, who as pioneer families, have contributed to the development of the Borough and the wider Australian society. Their names are documented on land titles, voter's rolls, cemetery records and church baptismal records.

In the archives of the Museum there is a selection of school registers which record children's enrolment dates, birth dates, father's name and occupation, and previous schools attended.

This rich source of information complements the hundreds of personal documents and diaries that have been donated by descendants of pioneers. The growth of the commercial sector in the Borough is reflected by the changing advertisements in the weekly publications of the then local newspaper The Sentinel.

Phone:

5258 2511

E-mail:

qhminf77@bigpond.net.au