What You'll See
The Old Schoolhouse
State School No. 2212 is a one-teacher rural school building that was originally built at Hilldene a few kilometres north of Broadford. It was relocated to Kurkurruc Creek west of Broadford in 1928, and was used by the local community there as their school until 1943.
After this it was sent to Broadford Primary School and was used as a classroom until 1995, when it was moved to its present location in our Historic Precinct.
It is currently used as our museum, genealogical research centre and general office.
After this it was sent to Broadford Primary School and was used as a classroom until 1995, when it was moved to its present location in our Historic Precinct.
It is currently used as our museum, genealogical research centre and general office.
Part of our Schoolhouse collection
The Courier newspaper office
This was the original office of the Broadford Courier and Reedy Creek Times. It was run continuously as a hand type set printing office until it closed in 1978 when the retiring owner donated it to the Broadford & District Historical Society. The office is as it was in 1978.
Individual letters and numbers by the tray-load were used to hand set the newspaper each week. These had to be replaced in their correct compartments before the next edition could be compiled.
Some of the many trays of letter and number characters. Note the rack of additional trays back left.
After a column was set, it was run off on the proof press to check for errors so they could be corrected prior to printing.
The Ingle (London) flat-bed press with its Ingles patented roller, on which the Courier was printed each week.
Mr. Eric McDonald’s desk showing the 1907 Underwood typewriter.
The treadle-operated Chandler & Price platen press was used to print handbills, dockets and tickets too small for the larger press.
The guillotine (above). An “Improved diagonal cutting machine” by Shackell & Edwards of London. It was manufactured in 1865.
Binding machine by Hughes & Kimber of London.
Mr Eric McDonald hand-setting the next edition of the Courier and at work at his desk. His 1907 Underwood typewriter and his Burroughs mechanical adding machine which we still have, are not visible in this photograph.
Drop Slab Cottages
Mill’s cottage is an original shingle roofed vertical drop-slab cottage erected in this area.
The 3 room replica pioneer cottage is typical of cottages commonly used in this area. It is fully furnished and has been set up to help explain the life style of Broadford’s early settlers. Unfortunately the bark roof was badly damaged by vandals a couple of years ago and had to be removed. It will be replaced.
The Outdoor Pavilion
Our Outdoor Pavilion contains items of historical interest which are less weather-affected in the open air. It contains mainly old farm machinery, tools and equipment used by the local pioneers, businesses and public institutions.
During 2022 and 2023 we have had the assistance of a number of Broadford Secondary College students, who have restored several of the major items on display. This has been done under the guidance of mentors from Broadford Men's Shed and the Historical Society. They have done a fantastic job, and we invite you to take a look. There is a lot more about this on our Facebook site, www.facebook.com/groups/926768294723022 or at the Broadford Men's Shed website at www.broadfordmensshed.org/project-ready-2023.html
The silver ball is a straw boiler digester. One of 12, it was operating in the town’s paper mill from the 1890s to make paper from straw and other materials. These materials included the sails and rigging from the sailing ships that brought people and goods to booming Melbourne town and the Victorian goldfields.
Until recent years the APM Mill at Broadford was the largest employer in the town.
During 2022 and 2023 we have had the assistance of a number of Broadford Secondary College students, who have restored several of the major items on display. This has been done under the guidance of mentors from Broadford Men's Shed and the Historical Society. They have done a fantastic job, and we invite you to take a look. There is a lot more about this on our Facebook site, www.facebook.com/groups/926768294723022 or at the Broadford Men's Shed website at www.broadfordmensshed.org/project-ready-2023.html
The silver ball is a straw boiler digester. One of 12, it was operating in the town’s paper mill from the 1890s to make paper from straw and other materials. These materials included the sails and rigging from the sailing ships that brought people and goods to booming Melbourne town and the Victorian goldfields.
Until recent years the APM Mill at Broadford was the largest employer in the town.
