Enhancing the shire’s vibrant horse and carriage heritage

Last updated on 28 March 2023

Kyneton Museum’s important collection of horse-drawn vehicles will be improved even further thanks to an external grant helping to champion the area’s rich gold rush history.

More than $36,000 has been awarded to the Council-managed museum following a successful application to the Copland Foundation, with the grant named after avid collector Alexander Ewart Copland who had a special interest in historic houses and their contents.

Council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss, said the funding would go towards a series of improvements over the next 18 months including new signage, a soundscape, vehicle upgrades and model horses to display equipment.

“We’re grateful for this funding from the Copland Foundation, which will boost public knowledge and appreciation of the historical importance of the horse and horse-drawn vehicles and their intertwining with Kyneton’s history,” she said.

“We know residents and visitors to Kyneton are eager to learn more about the history of the area, and the museum’s dedicated exhibitions like this help to solidify the town as a key tourist destination.”

To celebrate the grant and to get the creative juices flowing, members of the Kyneton Museum team – Meredith Blake and Clare Rule – joined Friends of the Kyneton Museum members – Hanne Juul and Rose Latimer – earlier this month for a horse-drawn buggy ride in North Woodend, with Rose driving her circa 1890s horse-drawn canoe-front wagonette.

The wagonette was pulled by 12-year-old Percheron-cross, Patrick (pictured), who has been happily pulling carriages for eight years.

Kyneton Museum is currently closed for restoration works and is now expected to reopen by Friday 30 June, coinciding with the launch of the Stitch In Time exhibition.