Dunolly - Goldfields Historical and Arts Museum
The museum holds an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia. The world's largest gold nugget, the 69 kilogram 'Welcome Stranger', was found in nearby Moliagul. See a replica of the famous nugget at the museum.
History of Site
In 1856 there was a tent on this site occupied by Middleton. It appears to have been a bakery. Soon after Thomas King purchased the block and built a weatherboard shop. Over the next few years there were a number of tenants including a painter, bootmaker and milliner. In 1879, William Freeman opened here as a bootmaker. It was to remain a bootshop over 50 years, operating as the Dunolly Boot Warehouse.
In the 1930s this building became a drapery then later a fruit and vegetables shop.
The Goldfields Historical & Arts Society was formed in Dunolly in 1960 and started a museum in the Public Library. Needing more space, they purchased this building for 5850. The Dunolly Museum has been in this building since 1968.
The Anvil
As you arrive at the museum you will notice the anvil atop the cairn. This anvil is said to have been the one used by the blacksmith when he cut into pieces the 'Welcome Stranger' gold nugget so that its weight could be ascertained.
Stamped into the anvil are the words Attwood warranted.
The 'Welcome Stranger' nugget was discovered in 1869 so the anvil had to have been made prior to that date.
It appears that the anvil may be attributed to Thomas Attwood who was a vice and anvil maker in the Worcestershire district in England. He was in business in 1820 and the 1851 census lists him and his business in Lye-Waste in the same district. He was at Upper Lye-Waste in 1861 and in 1871 he was at Wollescote Hill in Cradley and in 1881 he was at Coleman Hi in Cradley and in 1891 was still there. He died in 1895.
Most of the Attwood anvils were imported by Smiths Bros & Co, of 14 Macquarie Place, Sydney.
Window Displays
The front windows have a number of displays including fourteen items which you can guess what it is.
The items are:
1. Early 1900's cream cooler
2. Cigarette roller.
3. Coconut corer.
4. Brass dog collar.
5. "Jews Harp" old musical instrument
6. Queen-bee holder.
7. Early stethoscope.
8. Candle snuffer
9. Necklace made from rabbit backbones
10. Bar-b-que
11. Universal cake mixer. Patented 1896
12. Gas hair dryer. Circa 1920
13. Chinese fireworks launcher
14. Wooden mitre jack or vice. Used to hold an item in place on the angle for easy planeing.
Opening Hours:
Open Hours
Cost:
Admission Fees
Location
75 Broadway, Dunolly 3472 Map
✆ (03) 5469 1262
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ dunollymuseumsite.wordpress.com
→ Dunolly Museum on Facebook
