Heidelberg Historical Society facts for kids

The Heidelberg Historical Society is a special place in Heidelberg, Australia. It's like a museum and a research center all in one! Their main goal is to collect and share the history of Heidelberg and the areas around it in north-eastern Melbourne, Victoria.

This society started in 1967. It's run by its members and volunteers. In 1979, they opened their museum and research center in the old Heidelberg Courthouse. They are still there today, helping people learn about local history.

The Old Courthouse Building

The main home of the Heidelberg Historical Society is the Old Heidelberg Courthouse. This building used to be a court where legal cases were heard. It's made of red bricks and was designed by an architect named J B Cohen.

The building was finished and opened on April 2, 1900. It was used as a courthouse until 1979. After that, a new, more modern courthouse was built nearby.

Why the Courthouse is Special

The Old Heidelberg Courthouse is owned by the government of Victoria. The Historical Society helps manage it. In 1982, it was listed as an important historical building. This is because it's a unique example of architecture from the Edwardian period.

People especially notice its tall, eight-sided court room. This room has windows high up and a steeply sloped roof. It's surrounded by other offices, and there's a cool entrance porch with a special stained-glass window above the door.

In 2018, the Society let the public explore the building. This was part of the Open House Melbourne program.

What the Society Collects

The Society collects and keeps important historical items from the Heidelberg area. This includes things from when the area first started in 1838. They also have items from the different local government areas over time. These include the Shire of Heidelberg, the City of Heidelberg, and the City of Banyule.

The Heidelberg area used to be very large. It stretched from the Merri Creek along the Yarra River and Plenty River. It went through the Diamond Valley all the way to the Kinglake Ranges.

Types of Historical Items

The Society collects many different kinds of things. They have old objects, photographs, and maps. They also keep records from businesses and community groups. You can find audio and video recordings, local newspapers, and computer databases. They also have a library with books and other information to help people do research.

Exciting Exhibitions

The Society creates special exhibitions to show off items from their collections. Sometimes, they also borrow items from their members to display. These exhibitions help people learn about different parts of Heidelberg's history.

Past Exhibitions to Explore

Here are some of the interesting exhibitions they have put on:

• An Invitation to the Ball: Women's formal wear, 1850-1950 (2010): This show looked at fancy dresses women wore for special events over 100 years.
• Against the Forces: A tribute to the memory of Walter Burley Griffin and Marian Mahony Griffin (2013): This exhibition celebrated the famous architects who designed the city of Canberra.
• A Brush with Heidelberg (2016): This show highlighted how artists have painted the local landscape.
• Remembering 67 (2017): This exhibition let visitors experience what the year 1967 was like. This was the year the Society began!
• Planting Heidelberg (2018): This show explored the history of farms, parks, and gardens in the Heidelberg area.
• Heidelberg's Busy Bee Signature Quilt, 1895-96 (2019-2021): This exhibition featured a special old quilt. Many people signed their names on it long ago. The quilt is even listed on Australia's National Quilt Register. You can even explore an interactive website to learn about the people who signed the quilt.
• Truth, Beauty & Utility (opened July 10, 2021): This exhibition looks at the Arts & Crafts Movement in Heidelberg. It shows how styles changed from Japanese-inspired designs to Art Nouveau and Californian bungalows.

What the Society Does

The Heidelberg Historical Society works hard to protect historical places in its area. They also help celebrate important events for the community.

Community Involvement

They hold public meetings where guest speakers share interesting facts and ideas about Heidelberg's history. Sometimes, they organize tours to important historical sites. If you are doing research, volunteers at the museum can help you find information.

The Society also publishes a newsletter called The Heidelberg Historian. It comes out every two months.

The Society is a not-for-profit group. This means they don't try to make money. They are supported by their members and people who donate money. They also get help for special projects from other organizations.

Awards and Special Recognition

The Heidelberg Historical Society has received many awards and special mentions for its important work.

Notable Achievements

• The Society is allowed to keep original public records that are important to local history.
• Their exhibition 'An Invitation to the Ball' won an award in 2010 for 'Best Exhibit/Display'.
• The exhibition 'A Brush with Heidelberg' was praised in 2016. The Age newspaper even called it one of the "six reasons to visit Heidelberg."
• In 2017, the Parliament of Victoria recognized the Society's 50th anniversary.
• In 2018, a local politician, Mr Anthony Carbines MP, spoke about the Society. He said it was a very important part of the Ivanhoe district.
• The 'Heidelberg's Busy Bee Signature Quilt' was listed on the National Quilt Register in May 2019.
• Also in May 2019, the Society's Weekday Volunteers won a Community Group Award. This was from the Banyule City Council.
• The 'Heidelberg's Busy Bee Signature Quilt' exhibition was also praised in 2019. It received recognition in the Collaborative Community Award category.