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Formerly known as Jim Crow or Wombat, the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs area is situated on the northern fringes of the Wombat Forest and is an easy 80 minute drive (110km) from Melbourne.

Pastoralists occupied the Jim Crow and Upper Loddon districts following white settlement in 1838. Prior to that the districts from the Great Dividing Range to the Murray River had been occupied by the Djadja Wurrung tribes for thousands of years.

Following the discovery of gold in the district in 1851 Daylesford, Hepburn and other settlements quickly established. Fortune seekers from all around the world converged upon the golden triangle of Victoria , including a large contingent of Italian speaking Swiss and a large population of Chinese, though the majority were of Anglo-Saxon background. The diverse heritage is still evident in the district.

100 Vincent Street Daylesford 3460 ( 3 Doors down from the Post Office)
Open: 1:30pm to 4:30 pm - Weekends, School Holidays (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only), Public Holidays or by appointment.
Entry Fees: Adults - $4.00 & Children - $1.00

The Daylesford & District Historical Society was formed in 1964 and the Museum established in 1971.

The Museum has approximately 800 square metres of interior displays and approximately 250 square metres of covered yard and houses an large collection of local memorabilia and artefacts.

The museum has extensive archival resources that are accessible by arrangement for research to researchers and genealogists.

As the Museum and archives are operated entirely by volunteers please contact the Society to arrange for use of the research facilities. Copying and postage charges are made where applicable. The Society makes a small charge for access to the research archives and also for research undertaken by our Research Team on an enquirer's behalf. As we are a not-for-profit community based organisation we are always most appreciative of any donations

Group tours are welcome by arrangement.