Community & Business
7 January, 2022
Significant Findings at Herberton Mining Museum
A RECENT assessment at the Herberton Mining Museum has identified 71 internationally, nationally and regionally significant items.
A Community Heritage Grant funded Dr Jan Wegner and Dr Dave Phoenix to conduct the “significance assessment” of the museum’s collections.
The team discovered two items of international significance — the James Baines oil painting of the Irvinebank Hotel and the Risley Sculpture in the Gordon Gardens.
“With a little more research, the Roger Taylor tin collection may also be added to the internationally significant findings,” Tablelands Regional Councillor Annette Haydon said.
Of the 38 items recognised for their national significance, the Herberton and District Rock Drill Club collection, Leffel turbine, Mazlin pick and tin dredge collection were standouts.
The national significance of the museum itself was also recognised and the collections were acknowledged for the regional importance in preserving the history of many families and organisations in the area.
“The findings will inform our strategic planning early next year and help to make sure the museum and collections are well recorded and preserved,” Cr Haydon said.
“This level of recognition is testament to the dedication, passion and hard work of the museum’s volunteers”.
In June 2020, the museum won the prestigious John Oxley Library Community History for excellence in the preservation, recording and sharing of Queensland history by a community organisation.
Last week, the museum also unveiled two brand new initiatives, a brand-new website and a Geologic Time Wall.
The Time Wall is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, located in the car park and displays the linear history of the Earth.
To visit their new website, head to www.herbertonminingmuseum.com/
