The Burke Museum is a treasure trove of different artefacts from the over centuries. It is a small museum that has a range of displays from First People to European settlement, the role of the Chinese community in the goldfields. As well as natural history displays.
Burke Museum
Robert O'Hara Burke Museum in Beechworth is named after Burke of Burke and Wills fame. Burke had been the Superintendent of Police for the district from 1854 to 1858.
Burke Museum Plaque
The Natural History section includes a specimen of a female thylacine through to a diverse array of birds.
Tasmanian Tiger that was acquired in 1870s.
Wall of birds.
At the back of the museum, community donations collected in 1979 by Roy Harvey, curator, make up the Street of Shops. Look closely at each of the shops as there are many small items that could be easily overlooked but together make up a rich insight into eras gone by.
Street of Shops
This Japanese suit armour, 1870s, was brought to Beechworth in 1873 by the Chinese Community. There is also a school of thought that Ned Kelly's armour is based on this. Joe Byrne viewed the armour at the Beechworth carnival and remembered its design.
Japanese suit of armour brought to Australia by the local Chinese community.
After your visit to the museum, there is a park next door where you could enjoy a picnic or stroll back into the main streets of Beechworth and enjoy some refreshments on offer at the many eateries.
