Heidelberg Historical Society
Inc. No. A0042118P
Museum

The Heidelberg Museum
The old court house, which is now the Museum of the Heidelberg Historical Society, was opened in 1900, replacing an earlier wooden structure. In the 1960s, the red brick building was judged to be inadequate and was replaced by a modern one further down Jika Street.The Museum Today

You can Contribute to the Museum
The Society is always on the lookout for items of relevance to Heidelberg's history. If you have old photographs, papers, brochures, maps that you would be prepared to donate, they would be gratefully received. If you have information regarding our district history, or if you have been engaged in projects or research, we would very much appreciate a copy of your work for preservation in our archives.Heidelberg Courthouse 100 Years Ago

from 'Heidelberg Historian' No 197, April 2000 On Monday 2 April 1900, an historic event took place in Heidelberg, the opening of the then new Heidelberg Courthouse, before a gathering of councillors and the shire officers, and perhaps some parliamentarians and members of the legal profession. It was a quiet enough occasion for the growing township, but the fine new brick building was an adornment to the place, a far cry from what was there for the magistrates and court officials throughout the previous forty years. The old building had been shifted across the road and now formed part of the Heidelberg Shire Offices. For the past few months, it had housed the new Heidelberg Public Library. The old courthouse was completely unsuitable, far too small and inadequate for court purposes. A new one was planned in 1896, and following Council requests and deputations and the efforts of the local MP, Mr M.J.S. Gair, the new courthouse was promised in 1898, when the Government was prepared to build a new brick building for a cost of £1700. This was later modified to £1200 by the Premier, Sir George Turner, who was known for his efforts to save costs wherever he could. In July 1899 the old courthouse was donated to the Shire and moved across the road, again through the efforts of Mr Gair, and attached to the Shire Offices. The business of the court then moved temporarily to the Sir Henry Barkly Hotel while work began on the new building. When the old building was in place, it was arranged that it be used as a public library, as well as for meetings by such groups as the Australian Natives Association. The foundation stone of the new courthouse was laid on 4 October 1899, and work continued throughout the summer, in time for the opening and first court on 2 April 1900. Accounts of the opening appear in Articles 2 and 3 below. The courthouse continued in use until 1979 when a new modern courthouse was built in Jika Street nearby. With the help of our local member, Bruce Skeggs, and the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. Roberts Dunstan, the Heidelberg Historical Society was able to acquire the old building for our Museum. The large elongated octagonal court room with its magistrate's desk, witness stand and prisoner's dock retained, became the Museum's main display room. Larger items are displayed in the former vestibules on either side of the main entrance porch. The research room occupies what was the clerk of court's office, which also has a bench where people would pay their fines or conduct their legal business. The committee room and kitchen was formerly the magistrate's retiring room. The prisoner's room behind the prisoner's dock is used for storage of artifacts, and another room behind this, also used for storage, was the barrister's room. The room to the right was for female witnesses, and was also used as a second court room.
Courthouse Opens in 1900
New Courthouse at Heidelberg. Open for Business. - 'The News', 6th April 1900 The new courthouse erected at Heidelberg by the Public Works Department for the Crown Law Department has been completed. It cost £1800, and occupied a triangular site adjoining the police station. It is constructed of brick with cement dressing, and is roofed with slates. The external architecture is of the simplest character, but the main lines of the building produce a very pleasing effect... More newspaper articles on the opening of the courthouse in 1900 and its history... more
Contact Us
Postal Address
PO Box 39
Heidelberg Vic 3084Museum Street Address Old Heidelberg Court House Jika Street, Heidelberg Next door to Heidelberg Police Station Museum Opening Hours Sundays 2.00PM - 5.00PM. Admission $5. Free for Members and Children under 16. Email heidelberg.historical.society@gmail.com Telephone (+61 3) 9455 2130
Meetings
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every second month throughout the year.
Visitors are welcome!!
Venue for all meetings
Uniting Church Community Centre,
Seddon Street, Ivanhoe
(Enter from the car park at the rear)
More Images
Thousands of photographs are available to view in the Heidelberg Historical Society Museum. You can visit on a Sunday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm.







