Clik here to view.
Environmental Changes to Victoria’s Landscapes
During the 19th century, what we now call the State of Victoria changed dramatically. In 1800, it was an organised collection of Aboriginal cultural landscapes, and by 1900, it was dotted with new...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Eureka Rebellion – what we can and can’t ever know
George Browning, Eureka Stockade, 1854, 1985-9. The City of Ballarat Historical Collection, reproduced with permission from The City of Ballarat. Is this a primary or secondary source of historical...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Animals on the Goldfields
During Ballarat’s gold rushes, there were many animals – both native and introduced – living on the diggings. Some were of great use to the miners and their families as a source of transport or food,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sovereign Hill’s Gardens Explained
Many visitors to Sovereign Hill are surprised to see the vegetable and decorative gardens on display around the Outdoor Museum. Did you know that many of the gardens are inspired by understandings of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Women on the Goldfields Part 1 – 19th Century Womanhood
The lives women led in 19th century Australia were similar in some ways and very different in others to those experienced by women in this country today. Much has changed for Australian women in the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Women on the Goldfields Part 2 – Working Outside the Home
Alice Cornwall, also known as ‘Madam Midas’ ran a company mine and became a millionaire by the age of 30. Reproduced with permission from the Gold Museum. While getting dirty hands in search of gold...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Women on the Goldfields Part 3 – Working in the Home
.A costumed character at Sovereign Hill emptying the contents of a chamber pot. This is yellow cordial, not real urine. The most valuable and respected role a European woman in the 19th century could...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Gold Rushes of Victoria and California Compared
In 1848, three years before Victoria’s gold rushes began, the shiny yellow metal was found in California which made the seaside city of San Francisco in the United States of America (USA) grow...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Study History with help from the Sovereign Hill Museums Association
There are many great reasons to learn about the past, and that is why The Sovereign Hill Museums Association (SHMA) exists! We aim to “Connect people through our history to adapt for a better future”...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why is the Museum called Sovereign Hill?
Sovereign Hill Museum’s Association’s outdoor museum is located on Sovereign Hill, where quartz mining began in 1860 by what became known as the Sovereign Quartz Mining Company. The ‘sovereign’ name...
View Article
