Dromana and District Historical Society Inc.
Reg.No. A0017085C
ABN: 78 607 969 964

Historical Museum
Old Shire Offices, 359A Point Nepean Road, Dromana,
Melbourne, Australia
Melways Map Ref. 159 F 7
Telephone 03 59 89 22 43
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 30, Dromana, 3936, Australia.
email: dromanahs@gmail.com

Museum Hours and Admission

The hours of the Museum are: -
Open Sundays 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Open daily during January 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Open at other times by prior arrangement
Special arrangements are made for school and other groups

The Museum is not open on Christmas Day and Good Friday

Admission: Gold Coin Donation

Collections

In the collections approximately 5,000 items have now been catalogued and the Society is in need of volunteers for further cataloguing, computer data entry, conservation and preservation.

The Museum has many artifacts and photographs of historical interest. These cover the central area of the Mornington Peninsula and include Dromana, Red Hill, Red Hill South, Main Ridge, Safety Beach, Arthurs Seat, McCrae, Rosebud and Boneo.

We welcome donations of old photographs, cards, letters, ephemera, and other memorabilia relating to Dromana, Red Hill, Red Hill South, Main Ridge, Safety Beach, Arthurs Seat, McCrae, Rosebud and Boneo in the central Mornington Peninsula.

Book Launch - A Dreamtime of Dromana

On 8 April 2006 the Society launched the book - 'A Dreamtime of Dromana- A history of Dromana through the eyes of a pioneering family.' Written by local historian Colin McLear, the book has 227 pages, over 100 photographs of early Dromana and contains a detailed index.

To obtain a copy, visit the Museum during open hours or write to the society. Please include cheque with order. Price $30.00 if purchased at the Museum or $40.00 by post.

Museum Displays

Red Hill 2008 Show Display

A display of photographs was prepared by the society for the Red Hill Show on 25 March 2008. This event celebrated 150 years of shows on the peninsula and 80 outstanding years of achievement in 2008 of the presentation of the Red Hill Show.

This display is now set up in the museum at 359A Point Nepean Road, Dromana.

The Burrell Family

The museum has a cabinet with a display of artifacts donated by descendants of the Burrell family. The Burrell family occupied the Arthurs Seat homestead for a period of approximately 75 years from 1851 to 1925, and were prominent in the affairs of the district.
A book titled 'The Burrells of the Arthurs Seat Homestead' is on sale in the museum.

Shipping

For those interested in shipping, there is a model of the Cutty Sark, a model of the engine and paddle wheels of the Hygeia and some parts from the Edina which was launched in Glasgow in 1856 and ended its days in Port Phillip Bay in the 1930's.

Monthly Meetings - Guest Speakers

Monthly meetings are held in the Old Shire Offices, Point Nepean Road, Dromana, and a guest speaker may be heard. All vsitors are welcome. Meeting times are advertised at the museum and also on the society noticeboard in Ritchie's supermarket, Dromana.

Details of past speakers may be found here.

Circuit of Museums

Visit these museums as you drive around the Mornington Peninsula.

For more information see also: Flinders, Hastings, Mornington and Sorrento.

These museums are managed entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to the collection, preservation, conservation and display of items of historical interest.

Other Sites of Interest

Other sites of interest including schools and museums may be found here.

Historical Markers

This section on Historical Markers will be of interest to students and local historians. Including the Pioneer Pathway, it provides details of approximately 70 plaques in the Red Hill, Dromana, Rosebud and Arthurs Seat area. A free brochure/map 'Heritage Walk around Dromana' is available at the museum and also at the Information Centre nearby.

Historical Calendars

Historical calendars are produced by the society each year, and those unsold are available at reduced prices. To purchase, please contact the society or visit on a Sunday afternoon.

Historical Notes

A selection of 'Historical Notes' may be referenced here.

Pioneer Pathway

A Pioneer Pathway has been established at the Museum with plaques showing the names of some 32 families who settled in the Red Hill and Dromana area prior to 1875. A booklet which gives a brief background to each of the settler families is available at a nominal charge.

This page last modified on 5 October 2008.