Pioneer Settlement facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pioneer Settlement |
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The Pioneer Settlement is a special museum in Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia. It's like stepping back in time to see what life was like along the Murray River between 1830 and 1930. This was a time when pioneers settled the land.
It first opened in 1966 and was called the Swan Hill Folk Museum. A few years later, in 1970, the Queen visited, and after that, it was renamed the Pioneer Settlement.
What You Can Explore
The settlement has about 50 buildings that look just like the originals from the past. You can see many different places, including:
- A Masonic hall
- A coach-house
- A post office
- A photography studio
- An old-fashioned 1895 kaiserpanorama (a cool way to view pictures!)
- A newspaper office
You can also find many old tractors and historic vehicles. One of the tractors was even the very first one brought to Australia!
Historic Riverboats
The Pioneer Settlement is home to two amazing 19th-century riverboats:
- PS Gem: This large paddlesteamer was built in 1876. It was brought to the settlement in 1963. Today, the PS Gem is a big part of the museum. You can walk inside it, and it even has a restaurant! It serves as the main entrance to the settlement.
- PV Pyap: The PV Pyap is another historic boat. It started as a barge in 1896 and was later turned into a paddlesteamer. You can even take daily cruises on the Pyap from the Horseshoe Bend Wharf inside the settlement. It's a great way to experience what river travel was like long ago.
How It's Managed
In 1994, a special law was passed by the government. This law put the Pioneer Settlement under the care of the Swan Hill City Council. This means the local council helps to manage and look after this important historical site.
