St Clair Villa Museum & Archives

Closed for conservation work until further notice -please see below for alternate arrangements during closure period.

This museum houses important cultural objects and archives from Goulburn's rich historical past in one of its oldest residential buildings at 318 Sloane Street.

St. Clair Villa Museum and Archives, as we know it today, was built by James Sinclair for his family in 1843 and is a typical example of early provincial colonial villa of its period. After the death of Sinclair in 1851 the house was sold on for private use, over the years becoming consulting rooms for a doctor, a school for young ladies, a guest house and flatettes.

The Goulburn and District Historial Society made St. Clair their headquarters in 1970, with the Goulburn Council as trustee. The Historic Society have created a folk museum and established a research centre. They are now joined by I Love Goulburn Group.

The museum collection comprises items dating back to the early 1800's and consist of things that would have been used in everyday life to include period furniture, bric a brac, clothing, framed portraits and photos.

Archive items include photographs, glass negatives and slides, a comprehensive collection of Goulburn newspapers from the 1800's, parish maps, historic files from former Goulburn businesses, scrapbooks, diaries and journals from early pioneer families.

The collection is also significant as it houses personal items from many famous Australians who at some point in their lives had roots in Goulburn. They were Caroline Chisholm, Miles Franklin, Col. William Thomas Leggett and architect EC Manfred.

While Goulburn's St Clair Villa and Archives at 318 Sloane Street is closed for restoration by Goulburn Mulwaree Council, historical and family history research enquiries will continue to be met at temporary premises adjacent to St Clair Villa at
316 Sloane Street.

Visitors are invited to call in and discuss their historical or family history research enquiries with members of the Goulburn District Historical and Genealogical Society Inc.

Opening hours: Fri, Sat, Sun 10am - 1pm

Postal enquiries: PO Box 396, Goulburn 2580