The heritage-listed Springsure Hospital Museum celebrates its 150 anniversary this year and to commemorate this important milestone a special exhibition is being developed.
Central Highlands Regional Council Mayor Kerry Hayes says the celebration is about more than just the museum.
‘This is not only a celebration of the museum and the heritage-listed architecture,’ he said.
‘It’s a celebration of the Springsure community, their values and stories.
‘Most local families have a story to tell in connection to the hospital and we are lucky to have this piece of history well-preserved to educate visitors and the next generation.
‘I’m looking forward to see the completed exhibition.’
Queensland Museum’s Museum Development Officer for Central Queensland Dr Melanie Piddocke will set up the exhibition from 16 to 18 July 2018 and is looking for community input for its completion.
‘If you have objects, documents, photographs or recollections relating to the use, administration, patients or personnel of the old hospital from 1867 to 1938, we’d like to include these in the exhibition,’ she said.
‘We won’t be collecting your items, unless you wish to donate them, we will be just using the information or objects for the exhibition with your permission.’
The Springsure Hospital Museum is one of the oldest surviving Queensland hospitals. It was built in just six months in 1868. The building and running costs of the hospital was community funded until the 1940s, when funding was taken over by the state government.
Built on a stonework foundation, the building has intact gothic-style timber bargeboards, a corrugated iron roof and well-preserved wooden shingles. Unusual for Central Queensland, the building has three fireplaces and large double French doors opening out to a verandah. When open, the doors allowed for a breeze through the hospital in hot summer days.
If you have items you’d like to contribute, please take them to the Museum between 16 and 18 July. For questions, contact Dr Melanie Piddocke at melanie.piddocke@qm.qld.gov.au.
The exhibition is planned to open in August.