Chiltern Athenaeum Museum

The present brick building was erected in 1866, replacing an earlier timber construction, and used as Council Chambers, Town Hall and Library/Reading Rooms. When the Library was relocated in 1970 many old books remained in the present building forming an interesting collection of Goldfields reading matter in the original setting. About this time the Chiltern Athenaeum Museum was formed by enthusiastic members of the public who operate the museum on a volunteer basis.

The Museum Collection Features –

A display of memorabilia relating to Sir John “Black Jack” McEwen, who became Australian Prime Minister after the disappearance of Harold Holt. Sir John was born in Chiltern where his father was a pharmacist. His father's chemist shop later became the Dow Pharmacy a noted National Trust building in Chiltern. READ MORE >>

A series of paintings by Alfred William Eustace, a self taught artist and poet, who came to this area in 1852 and was employed as a shepherd on the Eldorado Run. Several of Eustace’s works painted in oil on gum leaves are displayed in the museum along with other more conventional works. READ MORE >>

The First World War honour roll is a dominating feature of the Chiltern Athenaeum and forms the central point of an ongoing collection of photographs, profiles, medals, certificates and other memorabilia relating to Chiltern and district people who served in both World Wars. READ MORE >>

A collection of novels and publications by local authors – Henry Handel Richardson, who penned, amongst other stories, The Fortunes of Richard Mahoney and The Getting of Wisdom; Mary Gaunt, daughter of Judge Gaunt, goldfields magistrate, who wrote Kirkham's Find and several travel tales; and Wilfred Busse whose History of Chiltern gives a wonderful insight into the development of our areas. READ MORE >>

The Museum also houses photographic displays and an outdoor exhibition featuring our mining and agricultural past. Along with microfilm of the local newspaper “The Federal Standard” 1859 – 1970, an extensive collection of local family histories and community records enable the volunteers to carry out family and historic research. READ MORE >>

Tours of the township which includes three National Trust buildings, historic goldfields and other places of interest are also conducted by Chiltern Athenaeum volunteers. Any enquiries regarding these tours please contact the Chiltern Athenaeum Museum on 03 5726 1280 or 03 5726 1467