The Brookfield District Museum is located in the Brookfield Showgrounds. The building which houses the Museum was originally a farm house located in Pullenvale which had a room dedicated for use as a Post Office.
Displays in the Museum reflect the occupations of Brookfield families in the past. The main industries were timber getting, farming and goldmining. The Museum has three rooms which feature exhibits relating to early Brookfield pioneering families, the Brookfield Show and many household items used last century.
It has been said that “Brookfield built Brisbane”. This refers to the timber industry which was prominent in Brookfield from the 1860s. The timber (mainly pine and cedar) was cut and hauled by bullock teams to the rafting ground on Moggill Road and floated down the Brisbane River to the sawmills in Brisbane. The timber was also taken to Brookfield’s own sawmill ‘Bon Accord’ which was established by Charles Patterson in 1875 located on Brookfield Road. Photos and implements used in the timber industry are on display.
A waistcoat worn by Patrick Pacey, a major land-holder in the area, at his wedding in 1854 is a special feature on display at the Museum.
The Museum is open from 2pm - 4pm on the first Sunday of each month (except January). Off-street parking and disabled access are available.
It is also open for any Brookfield Show Society event, in particular, the Brookfield Show which is held in May each year.
Community groups are welcome to view the Museum by appointment. In addition, members of the Brookfield District Museum will provide a scrumptious old-fashioned morning tea for groups of up to 20 people at $7 per person on the verandah of the Museum. Mouth-watering sandwiches, delicious butterfly cakes and scones and freshly brewed tea and coffee are served on delicate bone china with lace tablecloths and serviettes.
After having your cuppa, you can then take your time browsing through the Museum.
A tour of the Brookfield Cemetery which is located just across the road is also available for those who would like to hear about the people who are buried there, for example, did you know that the first Flying Doctor, Dr Leslie Welch is buried there?
If you would like further information about the Museum or would like to make a booking, please phone 3374 0505.
Documents:
Links