The Clunes Museum was established in1974 when a group of volunteers decided to accept the challenge of making a Museum where Clunes unique history could be preserved from a derelict warehouse which had been given to the people of Clunes by Mrs. Holly Barkell. The Museum officially opened in 1976.
Many years of hard work and fund raising particularly in the early years have produced the building we have now. During this time the Clunes Museum has been Accredited with Museums Australia (Vic).
Since 2004 several plans were considered to enlarge the Museum to accommodate the ever growing collection.
The decision to include the Clunes Library and Tourist Information Centre in new plans for the Clunes Community Interpretive Centre enhanced the chances of receiving the funding needed to complete the project.
As the major project for the Hepburn Shire Council it received a $2.7 million grant in the first round of the Regional Development Australia Fund, one of five to be awarded in Victoria.
  Receiving this grant gives us the opportunity to move into the future with a building that will meet the community needs on many levels.
Construction of the new facility will commence in late 2012 and is planned to be completed in 18 months.
There will be limited access to the Museum Collection from June 2012.
The Museum will have to be cleared by August 2012, but arrangements are being made to keep our Family Research Department functioning at another location in the town.