Hamilton Pastoral Museum

The Hamilton Pastoral Museum has two complexes of collections covering farming and domestic history, wood turners and model train display.

Hamilton is situated in south western Victoria, south of the mountain range named the Grampians. Fertile and widespread grazing land impressed explorer Thomas Mitchell who was the first European to set eyes on the area, and he named it "Australia Felix" in his reports. Settlers moved inland from Portland to take up pastoral runs. The Grange, as Hamilton was known at it's earliest, became a major town, the largest in rural Victoria around the 1900's. Sheep farming, dairying and cropping were the main activities of the region. In the 1980's it became known as the "Wool Capital of The World" based on the numbers of sheep per acre.

The Hamilton Pastoral Museum preserves the local farming and domestic history and makes it come to life for visitors.

Historical buildings at the museum include St Luke's Church, Cottage, National Bank, Drik Drik Post Office, Byaduk Automatic Exchange, Blacksmith, Myaring Woolshed, Warrayure School rotunda, Coleraine Lock-up and Old Penshurst Police Station. Other sheds display horse drawn vehicles, threshers, the Deutscher Foundry, extensive collections of tractors, stationary engines, headers, the sheep and wool industry, household, fashion and a Saddler & Bootmaker Shop.

Hamilton Pastoral Museum The Hamilton Pastoral Museum began in 1968 by a group of volunteers interested in local history. The museum houses an extensive static display of farming implements, small town and domestic displays. Members provide active demonstrations, whenever possible, enhancing the historical experience for visitors. The museum is situated over three blocks. The Church block takes on a small town feel and is the organisational centre of the museum. The Dundas block and the Handbury block have a small farm atmosphere and is the site of large farming demonstrations. The areas all open onto Hiller Lane. Allow 1-2 hours to see it all.

History in Action
The Museum's active displays are the highlight of any visit to the Museum. The "Plough & Seed" weekend and the "Harvest Days" have become a unique annual feature of this Museum. Exhibitors with tractors, stationary engines or collections of tools etc. are invited to exhibit at any rally. Schools or groups can organise hands on activities to make history come alive. The Museum has a large open area with an adjoining canteen for schools or groups to plan meals or undercover activities.

Regular exhibits include:

Shearing equipment

Historic Woolshed

Cropping & Harvesting implements

Domestic scene

Tractors & engines

Blacksmith

Horse equipment

Stables

Wood turners

Heritage Lutheran Church

12 volt Windlight and Cottage

Soldier settlement Garage/home

Telephone exchange

Tools

Bank

Post Office

Model Railway Group

Saddler & Bootmaker Shop

Lock-up

Many display sheds.

The Museum's Activities
The museum runs three rallies each year in which equipment is activated and various themes explored.
February - Portland Rally
May - Plough & Seed, plus supporting themes
October - Vintage Tractor Pull plus supporting themes

The crop planted in May is harvested demonstrating a variety of horse drawn implements, vintage tractors, and harvesting machinery. An advertised Rally is held in January when seasonal conditions arc favourable.