Beechworth Historic And Cultural Precinct

The Beechworth Historic and Cultural Precinct is a collection of nationally significant buildings telling the story of how Australia grew and prospered. These buildings played an integral role in the administration of North East Victoria and parts of Southern New South Wales. Beechworth Historic Courthouse: One of Beechworth's most visited attractions the historic Courthouse is a beautifully preserved living history museum and the site of some of the dramatic events of gold era Australia, including the trial which sealed Ned Kelly's fate. Ned Kelly's mother Ellen was sentenced to three years gaol here and the fate of Elizabeth Scott, the first woman hanged in Victoria, was sealed in this building. Built in 1858 and in continuous service for 131 years, the Beechworth Courthouse retains its original furniture and fittings. Daily Courthouse tours are available to visitors. Robert O'Hara Burke Memorial Museum : One of Australia's oldest museums, the Museum boasts a fascinating and historically significant collection of more than 30,000 individual items, many dating back to more than 150 years ago and some linked to famous and infamous figures of history such as Ned Kelly, Dame Nellie Melba and Robert O'Hara Burke. Highlights include an extensive collection of Aboriginal artefacts; Chinese, Goldmining, Natural History and Ned Kelly Collections and the 19th century Street of Shops. Telegraph Station: Built in 1858, the Telegraph Station once linked the town to the outside world through the medium of Morse code. Powder Magazine: Built in 1859 (restored by the National Trust in 1966) and of solid, buttressed granite, with a slate roof and surrounded by a high stone wall, the Powder Magazine was used as a storage room for large amounts of gunpowder used in mining and quarrying. By law, miners were required to leave bulk gunpowder in this building overnight.