Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum
The Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum was founded in 1967 and is the only public costume museum of its kind in Victoria.
The Museum specialises in costume and local history, including much of the Ned Kelly Story.
The costume collection dates from 1770 to the present, and is shown in regularly changing exhibitions of dressed models, with appropriate accessories and decor to suit the theme of the exhibition.
Local history is displayed in several permanent exhibitions, depicting Benalla Memorabilia, the Kelly Story and three of Benalla's famous sons. Two of Benalla's famous sons - surgeon and war hero Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop, and Captain Hector Waller, RAN - are remembered in the Services Room. The tea room and associated display is named after a third 'famous son' - Michael Joseph Savage, first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand, who was born at Tatong near Benalla.
As Benalla is in the heart of Kelly Country, the KELLY STORY is given considerable emphasis. Here is a transportable prison cell in which Ned was once imprisoned, and it contains authentic memorabilia including Ned's bloodstained sash (which he wore at the siege at Glenrowan) and his bridle as well as other items. You can also read many letters and documents about the gang and Ned's family, and see an excellent 12 minute video.
Be absolutely sure you and the children especially, come into the Museum to see the Miniature House.
The Museum complex in Mair Street also houses the Visitor Information Centre with local tourist and accommodation information and The Creators Gallery selling quality art and craft and souvenirs. And you can enjoy a tea or coffee in our Tea Room!
The Miniature House
This 14 roomed house is the meticulous creation of Mrs Gay Steil. The work extended over a period of 10 years from 1970.
She made most of the furniture and furnishings using a Stanley knife and other simple tools. Bamboo grown in her garden was used to construct the cane furniture.
Many authentic replicas in miniature can be seen in appropriate rooms including such details as morocco leather bound books in the study, hand made envelopes in the desk, a chess set in the sitting room, toast in the toaster, brooms in the laundry, soap and toilet rolls in the bathroom and numerous floral arrangements throughout the house. Details even include whisky in the decanter.
Some of the paintings which hang on the walls are the work of Mrs Steil. Others are by the well known artists Frank Mutsaers and Ernest Vogel.
A number of commercial manufacturing firms produced miniatures of their products especially for the house. Examples include the porcelain toilets and wash basins by Armitage Shanks, the stainless steel sinks and laundry troughs by Radiant. Westinghouse Apprentice School produced the washing machine, dryer and stove and the firm of Clunies Ross supplied the wallpaper.
This remarkable achievement has been donated by Mrs Steil, OAM, to the Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum.
Opening Hours:
Opening Hours
Cost:
Entry Price
Location
14 Mair Street, Benalla 3672 Map
✆ (03) 5762 1749
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum
→ Military History Trail
