The development of the Technology collections commenced in the 1850s, when Frederick McCoy, Director of the National Museum of Victoria, purchased and commissioned a substantial number of mining and machinery models.
The History collection formally commenced in 1986, with a new focus on the social history of Victoria and Australia.
The History and Technology collections were formed in 2001 by combining the two separate collections, and comprise 260 000 objects, 300 000 images and 42 000 items of trade literature.
Select from collection areas at left to view further details of our diverse and extensive collections.