User:HistoricVillageHerberton

The Historic Village Herberton
The Historic Village Herberton is an open-air museum located in the town of Herberton, Queensland. The Village depicts early life in Far North Queensland, after the discovery of tin in Herberton in 1880.

The Village opened in 1977, but following a period of closure, reopened in April 5 2009 after its purchase by Australian businessman Craig and his wife Connie Kimberley. Since then, the restoration work has continued and the Village is now one of most significant cultural and heritage attractions in Australia. Set in the Australian 1880s, the Village is located on a 16 acre site. The museum comprises over 60 historically restored period buildings, set out like a tin mining town with shops, pub, bank, chemist, grocer, printer and garage.

The history of the Historic Village Herberton is closely tied with the township of Herberton and features many antiques as well as buildings that have come from the town’s ancestors.

History
Herberton came to importance after a party of prospectors led by Willie Jack and John Newell discovered tin in the area on April 19, 1880. The settlement was named Herberton because it was the headwaters of the Herbert River.

The discovery of tin at Herberton was largely responsible for the development of the other towns on the Atherton Tablelands, making it historically significant.

In the 1950s, when a lot of the older buildings in the town were being condemned, collector Harry Skennar and wife Ellen set about saving these old buildings. In 1973 he brought the first building, Elderslie House (circa 1882), onto the site beside Wild River. Many more buildings and relics followed.

In 2008, Craig and Connie Kimberley purchased the Historic Village Herberton and continued the restoration with the support of the local community. Open year round to visitors, the Village collects, preserves and displays historical exhibits from across Australia. .

Every year, on the first weekend of May, the Village’s history is celebrated with a Pioneer Weekend celebration. Staff, volunteers and members of the public dress up and there are working displays.

Collection
The museum’s mission is to “To preserve, cherish and present the stories of Australia’s pioneering past in an outdoor museum experience, which adds to life’s enjoyment”, which is accomplished through a wide variety of long-term exhibits, tours, programs, activities and special events.

The more than 60,000 objects in the museum's collection include cultural and historic artifacts. Artifacts from Aboriginal culture are included in the Aboriginal Collection.

Founder of Herberton, John Newell and his home, Elderslie House is presented in the museum. The home once stood on the hill near the present day Mount St Bernard College overlooking the town in the 1880s. The 130-year old house has now been restored and is the proud “jewel in the crown” of the Village.

The Village’s collection includes items relating to the town’s founding, mining industry, military installations and motor vehicle and coach transportation.

In 2014, a John Deere Tractor Exhibit was opened. It includes a 1916 Waterloo Boy, John Deere’s first fuel powered tractor, a 1937 RB Model tractor and a Model B from 1935.

The museum has won regional and Queensland awards for excellence.