Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre facts for kids

The Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre is a cool museum located in Beaconsfield, Tasmania. It used to be called the Grubb Shaft Gold and Heritage Museum. This centre helps everyone learn about the rich history of the area, especially about gold mining. It opened its doors in 1984 and now has over 10,000 amazing items in its collection!

Beaconsfield mine

A Look Back: The Centre's History

The idea for a museum in Beaconsfield started way back in 1972. A group called the West Tamar Historical Committee began collecting old items and raising money. They wanted to save the history of their town.

In 1982, they got a special chance to use the old Grubb Shaft engine house ruins. This was a perfect spot to create a place where people could explore the area's past.

The Grubb Shaft Gold and Heritage Museum officially opened in 1984. Later, in 1999, the West Tamar Council took over running the museum.

In 2006, after the Beaconsfield Mine collapse caused the mine to close for a year, the centre received special funding. This money helped the museum grow a lot! They added more space and made the visit even better for everyone. In 2008, the museum's name changed to the Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre.

Today, the West Tamar Council still owns and runs the centre. It's a really important place for the local community. It helps the economy and keeps the history of the Tamar Valley alive.

The centre has more than 10,000 items in its collection. It's always growing with new donations from people in the area. The staff work hard to protect these old treasures and are always looking for interesting pieces to add.