We Regret that the Museum is Closed to the Public at Present.
Due to health concerns about the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), and in line with increased restriction levels announced by the Victorian Government — - Our building is also closed for all volunteer activities. - Enquiries will continue to be handled by email only. - Our Guest Speaker program remains on hold until further notice. Take Care, Stay Safe and Well. We urge members and others to follow all precautions in the hope that we can defeat this challenge and come together again soon.
Meanwhile -
The ‘What’s New’ section is updated approximately every 10 days with a blog post that gives short glimpses of the history of the Heidelberg District. You can see this by clicking here or on the ‘What’s New’ label above. Members can use the online resources available at this website for research, and for news about further developments.
As well as our photographs and maps, the Members section contains links to all 317 of our Heidelberg Historian newsletters. Material will be added to the blog and our Facebook page from time to time.
If you are not a member you can join by submitting the online application form which will be processed by our Secretary promptly. See the "Join Now" link at the top of the screen.
This information is current on 23rd June 2020
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Heidelberg Historical Society was formed in 1967.
Since then, we have developed a substantial collection of photographs, objects, maps, documents, works of art and other items that help to tell the story of Heidelberg and its surrounding localities.
Visit our Museum or contact us by email etc to find out what we can offer you.
We always welcome those interested in joining our Society as well as members of the public who wish to research the materials we hold in our museum.Museum and Research Centre
Our museum is located in the Old Heidelberg Court House, corner Jika Street and Park Lane, Heidelberg, next door to the Heidelberg Police Station. Opening hours are 2PM to 5PM on Sundays.
The current exhibition is
Heidelberg’s Busy Bee Signature Quilt, 1895-1896.
Entry charge is $5 per person.
(Free for Members and children under 16.)
moreResearch our Collections
We have a large collection of photographs, maps, newspapers and other documents, books, art works, costumes and other items relevant to the history of this area. Visitors are welcome to research our collections.
Membership and Involvement
Anyone interested in local history can become a member. We welcome people who can assist us to staff the museum on open days and help us to keep our collections up to date and in good condition.
Donations
Donations are always welcome to assist us in maintaining the museum.Why the name "Heidelberg"?
Following the 1838 government land sales, which were held in Sydney, "Heidelberg" was the name used by some people for the district rather than the current Heidelberg suburb. It appears that land owner R.H. Browne called his farm "Heidelberg". It was Portion 6 in the 1838 land sale. It's southern border was the Yarra River, including the later named Sill's Bend and Fanning's Bend. The vast majority of his land was way to the north of the township. Its northern boundary line intersected the current Lower Plenty Road. To the east it did not reach the Plenty River, and to the west it was some way back from the current line of Rosanna Road. By the 2000s, the land was to be partly Viewbank, partly Rosanna and partly Heidelberg.
Like most of the 1838 purchasers, including Thomas Walker, R. H. Browne was looking for a quick profit. He did not keep his "Heidelberg" for long. "HEIDELBERG, July 26 (1839). Portions of land on the Darrebin River (sic) with right of road to the Yarra Yarra..." was part of an advertisement he placed in the "Port Phillip Patriot" on 29 July 1839. He was still around later in the year as an advertisement in the Port Phillip Gazette, 14 December, 1839, still refers to him as "R. H. Browne Esq. of Heidelberg." The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser, Monday 9 March 1840, page 3, refers to "Heidelberg, the estate of R. H. Browne". For whatever reason occurred to him, he called his farm "Heidelberg" and the district came to be called "Heidelberg." We do not know whether or not he spent time at the German University town of that name. By mid 1843, he had sold the last sub-division of it.
In our museum, which is the former Heidelberg Courthouse, we have a collection of bound Victorian Government Gazettes in a number of volumes. The first few volumes have "Warringal" on the spine. From the 1860s onwards, it changes to "Heidelberg". The township was called Warringal until the 1860s.
At different times, the Shire/City of Heidelberg included Fairfield and Alphington to the south and went as far north as Hurstbridge. Our area of interest therefore covers areas included in municipalities under the name of Heidelberg at that time in our history. Since the demise of the City of Heidelberg in the 1990s, our subsequent interest is in the areas covered by the City of Banyule.
Places of interest to Heidelberg Historical Society.
Eaglemont
Around 1900, a hot air balloon landed on Mt Eagle, attracting the interest of local residents.
Ivanhoe
Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe,1920s. This continues to be a major shopping precinct.
Yallambie.
Yallambie is an historically important house, built in the 1870s, in Italianate style. It is also the name of the suburb.
West Heidelberg
The Treyvaud family lived in "Moora", 198 Upper Heidelberg Road, West Heidelberg, during the 1920s.
Watsonia
Aldermaston, located in Watsonia Barracks, was built for Dr Ainslie Meares in the 1930s and requisitioned by the Australian Army during World War II.
Heidelberg
Mount Street and Yarra Street intersection, Heidelberg, near the railway station. Area of car and bus park near station.
Viewbank
View of Viewbank in the 1950s, before the development of suburban housing. Looking south from Lyon Street.
Alphington
An overhead view of the Australian Paper Manufacturers at Alphington in 1936. The larger view shows the railway, the road bridge, later called the Chandler Highway Bridge, and some of the older houses that were swallowed up by the large factory.
Fairfield
Fairfield Railway Station was called Fairfield Park in earlier years. It was from there that the railway junction to the APM was managed.
