Eldorado Museum

Eldorado Home l Historic Gold Dredge l Mining History l Eldorado Services & Facilities
Eldorado Activities l Eldorado Accommodation

The old brick school No.246 was built in 1870 , at a cost of 750 pounds ($1500), with 450 students and 9 teachers.   There are records of earlier schools dating back to 1861.  In the 1890's half of the school was converted into a residence which was last used in 1963, and demolished in 1965.
In the early days, the school was the centre of the town's social activities, before the hall was built.  Dances, Christmas Trees and Euchre Parties (card nights) were all held in this building.   The Eldorado Musuem Trust was formed in 1966 to save the old school building from further demolition.  The Education Department agreed to hand over the building to the Museum.   Members of the Trust began the collection in 1969 and opened the museum to the public in 1971.  

The open times are Sunday 2pm-4pm and public holidays 10am - 4pm or by appointment, for bus tours from schools, groups or visitors needing access at other times.   Volunteers staff the museum. Most of the items at the Muesum have been donated or are on loan by residents of the town and district. 

Phone: 03 57251 542   www.eldoradomuseum.com


The Museum Collection features:
 - Mining History
 - Cock's Eldorado Dredge Information
 - War Memorabilia
 - Household and farming clothing, utensils, ornaments, books and tools
 - Transport - farming, mining, general
 - Some school, cemetery, lodge and church records
 - Photos and books
 - A video of "100 years of Cock's El Dorado Dredge" for viewing and DVDs for purchase
 - "El Dorado Gold - An Australian Story" edited by Sandra Buchan - a book about the life and times of El Dorado and its families.