The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology

Museum in Caboolture, QLD

The Abbey Museum is a public museum almost unique in Australia. Its collections are derived from Britain’s first social history museum – the Abbey Folk Park. The Museum has won international acclaim for the quality of its displays and programs.

The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology has its roots in the Abbey Folk Park, established by Rev. JSM Ward at New Barnet, England, in 1934. A pioneer of modern museology, Ward displayed artefacts in sympathetic historic settings. Dubbed “the man who collects houses” by the press, Ward amassed 30 salvaged historic buildings at the folk park, where he displayed his substantial collection of prehistoric, classical and medieval antiquities. Ward constructed a replica prehistoric village, making him an innovator of experimental archaeology and open air museums.

Not only has the breadth of its collection made the Abbey Museum unique in Australia, its public programs have provided entertainment and education to hundreds of thousands of visitors. From humble beginnings the Abbey Medieval Festival has grown to be a truly international event, attracting more than 27,000 visitors in 2014. The Museum’s education programs give students a unique chance to experience archaeology on recreated dig sites, explore the environmental heritage of the Moreton Bay Region or learn how to mummify their classmates, Egyptian style! The Museum also hosts talks, themed family weeks and the very popular Regency event, Picnic at Pemberley.

The Abbey Museum is constantly developing new events and programs, researching and acquiring objects for display. One of the Museum’s top priorities is the establishment of a permanent art gallery. The Abbey Museum boasts a magnificent collection of Old Master artworks from Medieval to Baroque periods which cannot currently be displayed due to space and conservation restraints.