Casterton Community Museum
Casterton Community Museum is a volunteer-run local history museum housed inside the historic former Casterton Railway Station. It is owned and operated by the Casterton and District Historical Society.
The museum collects, preserves, researches and displays objects connected with the people, events and history of Casterton and the surrounding district. Its collection contains more than 3,500 items, ranging from household objects and clothing to agricultural equipment and farm machinery.
The museum also holds a comprehensive collection of historic photographs. These provide a visual record of Casterton, its residents, businesses, pastoral properties, community organisations and surrounding settlements.
The railway station is an attraction in its own right. The railway reached Casterton in 1884, making the town the western terminus of the branch line from Branxholme. The station is an early example of the railway building design that became known as the "Casterton" type. The railway line closed in 1977 and the surviving station was subsequently restored as a home for the museum collection.
The station building and other structures within the approximately 14-acre railway precinct are included on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Collection:
The collection includes:
- Historic household objects
- Clothing and textiles
- Farming equipment and machinery
- Railway-related material
- Historic photographs
- Documents and local records
- Objects associated with Casterton residents and community organisations
- Material relating to surrounding pastoral and rural districts
Family Interest:
The museum is best suited to school-age children and families interested in trains, historic buildings, farming, machinery and local history.
As this is a traditional volunteer-run museum rather than an interactive children's museum, younger visitors may need help interpreting the exhibits.
Allow approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the displays available and the interests of your group.
Research and Family History:
The Casterton and District Historical Society maintains a separate Research and Family History section at 3 Racecourse Road, Casterton.
Research enquiries should be arranged in advance by emailing castertonhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Facilities:
- Local history displays
- Historic photograph collection
- Railway heritage building
- Research and family history resources by arrangement
- Parking around the railway precinct
- Nearby playground
Opening Hours:
Open by appointment only.
Both the museum and the Historical Society's Research and Family History section are closed annually from 24 December until 1 February.
Arrange access in advance by emailing castertonhistoricalsociety@gmail.com. Check the Casterton Historical Society information for current arrangements.
Location
Jackson Street, Casterton 3311 View Map
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ www.casterton.org.au/casterton-historical-society.html
→ www.swvic.au/castertonhistoricalsociety.htm
