The Museum of Timeless Memories

Words by Ken Roberts | Photos kindly supplied

When you walk through the door of this fascinating museum, a time capsule of everything and anything, be prepared to lose several hours as you get lost in the amazing array of treasures that await. There is a mind-boggling amount of stuff here, some that you would never think to keep but thankfully somebody has because these inconsequential items are a record of everyday life from the near and far past.

Peter and Rose Smolenaars are the creators of this gem of an attraction that should be more well known than it is. To say they have a passion for collecting is an understatement. They love anything old and interesting and have been collecting on and off for over 50 years. At times due to circumstances they have reduced their collections and then began again to slowly amass things to the point where they decided to open a museum for others to appreciate what they have. It truly is a remarkable endeavour to gather together such a diverse range of objects.

A brief sample of what they have on offer include a bullock wagon, Blacksmith’s shop, working model dairy, old schoolhouse, chapel, children’s toys, kitchenalia, motors, garagenalia, tools of every kind, tricycles, mowers, tractors, chainsaws, vintage cars, haberdashery, sewing machines, caravans, a boarding house and much more. There is too much to mention but they guarantee there is something of interest for everyone.

When you walk around the collection it triggers so many memories from your own past. I saw an old washing machine that mum had; I remember I asked for a turn and then had my fingers squashed by the rollers of the ringer. I saw a toy that I yearned for but never got (it was a farm set with buildings, fences, animals and people). It really is a place to reminiscence for many.

The museum is open for groups of 10 or more and by appointment only. They have had visits from residents of Hostels and Nursing homes who absolutely adore what they see and have such treasured memories of what they find. School groups visit the museum and to them it is an Aladdin’s cave of wonder and excitement. Even just a rotary dial phone is something most would never have seen before.

The working dairy with model cows and fully functional milking machine is a great draw card and for many they can actually see where their milk comes from. The kids, and teachers, find such learning stimulation from what they discover. The schoolhouse with blackboard, wooden desks and slates is an eye opener for young students used to whiteboards and tablets.

Any groups are welcome through the museum and Peter and Rose say they have never had a group through who haven’t been surprised and amazed at what they have achieved.