Documents, records and photographs relating to the early history of Beechworth and the Ovens goldfield. The collection contains: minute books and letters dating from 1856 of organisations such as the Beechworth Athenaeum and Burke Museum, sporting groups, and the local branch of the Australian Natives Association; copies of the Ovens & Murray Advertiser dating from 1855; The Constitution newspaper (1856-68) and the Ovens Register newspaper (1875-1918); early mining records (Registers of Claims and Races); courthouse records; water right books; United Shire of Beechworth records; hand written reminiscences including Edward John Dunn (geologist) biographical notes; and photographs of early Beechworth, including streetscapes, people and events. There are references to and photographs of many prominent people including: Ada Cambridge, Sir Isaacs Isaacs, Judges Cope and Kerferd, Ned Kelly, Danial Cameron, Robert O'Hara Burke, Baron Von Mueller, Dame Jean Macnamara, Joe Byrne, many identified members of the Chinese community, Aaron Sherritt and John Wallace (M.L.C.).
