Museums & Galleries

Armidale Folk Museum

Tracing its origins back to 1933 the Armidale Folk Museum is housed in the magnificent 1863 Armidale Literary Institute and documents the history of this New England city. A wide range of exhibits show everyday life and work in the past, and of the citizen’s solemn sacrifice in times of war. 

The Armidale Folk Museum is located on the corner of Faulkner and Rusden Street

Opening Hours:

  • Monday: 11am - 2pm
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11am - 2pm
  • Thursday: 11am - 2pm
  • Friday: 11am - 2pm
  • Saturday: 11am - 2pm
  • Sunday: 11am - 2pm

Contact: 6770 3836 

Explore Armidale Folk Museum via the VIRTUAL TOUR

Hillgrove Museum

Hillgrove was a mining town of 3,500 which grew and died between the 1880s and 1920s. This museum, situated in the former school building of 1896 on Scouler Street, portrays the history of this town and the mines which it serviced. A fascinating collection of mining and agricultural machinery gives a valuable insight into the town's busy past.

Hillgrove is open Friday to Monday from 10am to 2pm, however to help plan your visit and ensure we have volunteers available to show you around please phone ahead before your visit. Ph: 6770 3836

Explore Hillgrove Museum via the VIRTUAL TOUR

The Bicentennial Railway Museum

The Bicentennial Railway Museum was founded by local railway maintenance staff and has been operated by council since 1993. Armidale was an important railway centre in the past, and this museum commemorates this role and the work of generations of local men and women who worked for the railways. The museum is located at the Armidale Railway Station on Brown Street.

The Railway Museum is open by appointment. Contact: 6770 3836.

Explore The Bicentennial Railway Museum via the VIRTUAL TOUR

All three museums are facilitated by Armidale Regional Council and conduct public programs which include guided excursions, assistance with research, functions and commemorations, as well as answering individual enquiries. Ph: 6770 3836 

Armidale Regional Museum Collection Management Policy

The Collection Management Policy (PDF 450.2KB) contains the philosophies, policies, procedures and practices for acquiring, documenting, securing, valuing and disposing of the collection objects of the Armidale Folk Museum, the Hillgrove Rural Life and History Museum and the Armidale Bicentennial Railway Museum. 

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Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Keeping Place

The Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place (ACCKP) is a community-based centre where you can experience the diversity of Australian Indigenous arts and culture. 

Armidale Art Gallery

 The Armidale Art Gallery is dedicated to stimulating and supporting the creativity of the New England's regional arts community hosting a wide range of exhibitions showcasing original paintings, drawings, photography, prints, textiles, sculpture, pottery and jewellery.

Gallery 126

Gallery 126 is the only commercial gallery in Armidale and is a major venue for showcasing the diverse works of the large regional artist community. In addition to static displays in the shop, exhibitions in the gallery space change every 4-6 weeks.

Guyra Historical Society and Museum

The Guyra Historical Society and Museum has an extensive collection of artifacts and historical material relating to the Guyra district displayed in the Old Shire Buildings 162 Bradley Street Guyra. Open by appointment. Phone 6779 2132.

Museum of Stone Tools

The Museum of Stone Tools is a virtual collection of 3D modelled artefacts, created and managed by Archaeology researchers at the University of New England. The museum aims to encourage research and learning with open access models and detailed information. The collections showcase hundreds of stone tools and artefacts spanning many time periods and locations across the globe.

Two Folk Museum objects are included in the virtual museum and the museum is curated from Armidale:

New England Contemporary Print Gallery
New England Contemporary Print Gallery (NECPG) is an exhibition, workshop and studio space dedicated ton printmaking in its many forms. They aim to provide printmakers and collectors with exciting opportunities and to make a strong contribution to the cultural life of New England. 

New England Regional Art Museum

The New England Regional Art Museum is home to over 4,500 works of art including two of the most important and extensive collections of Australian art in regional Australia, the Howard Hinton and the Chandler Coventry Collections. NERAM hosts an active and frequently changing annual exhibitions program with works from its own collections, travelling exhibitions curated by other galleries, and exhibitions of works from leading regional artists.

NERAM Museum of Printing

Museum of Printing houses a historically significant collection of printing machinery and equipment which comprise the FT Wimble & Co. Collection.  The collection includes printing presses, a Linotype machine, guillotines, book binding equipment, wooden and metal type and a history of printing in Australia from 1850 to the early 1900s. 

University of New England

UNE houses expansive museums and collections that are open to members of the public. These include impressive collections of scientific, aesthetic and cultural material, two permanent museums and two important heritage buildings.

For more New England North West Galleries and Museums, go to Arts North West HERE