Chiltern Athenaeum pops up at the town's Old Courthouse

A POP–UP display of memorabilia including paintings by early artists has been organised by the Chiltern Athenaeum at the Chiltern's Old Court House while restoration works of the Athenaeum built in 1866 is taking place. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley Award–winning art is on display, family history details can be accessed as well as cemetery information on around 2000 people buried at the Chiltern Cemetery – among them pioneers, service men and women, business operators and those who contributed to establishing the Chiltern township. Chiltern Athenaeum volunteer researcher and committee chair, Maureen Everitt, said with works due to be completed later next year, the committee decided not to reopen until October. "With the Athenaeum temporarily closed, there's too much work involved in moving everything out and then moving everything back in again," she said. Ms Everitt said the pop–up display which opened on Sunday two weeks ago would continue depending on the level of interest with visitors but so far there had been a steady stream. Despite the Athenaeum being closed, she said volunteers are working in the background with cataloguing all collections on Wednesdays and Saturdays with the help of staff from the Burke Museum. Burke Museum's collection manager Ashleigh Giffney said the Burke Museum had been highly commended for its innovative online cataloguing program in the Archival Survival Award for small museums–galleries in Tuesday night's Australian Museums and Galleries Association awards. "Part of our award recognition is being able to help museums and athenaeums around the shire to catalogue their collections," she said. Judges commended the museum for its successful adaption to COVID–19 and for creating a good partnership program that strengthened skill levels in the sector. Among restoration works being undertaken in three stages are rectifying damp affected plaster, stonework, external drainage, brickwork desalination to external walls and fireplace in a small gallery room, roof plumbing as well as door and window works. Stanley's Period Building Conservation is undertaking the works overseen by Indigo Shire Council. Chiltern's Old Courthouse in Main Street with the pop–up is open on Sundays from 10am to 3pm with entry by gold coin donation. Further information can be obtained by leaving a message on 03 5726 1280, email info@chilternathenaeum.com.au or by visiting Facebook at Chiltern Athenaeum Trust.

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