The society will move into the 157-year-old Specimen Cottage House in Hargreaves Street in coming weeks, and will set up displays of photographs and historic artefacts. 

Society president Jim Evans said the move would be great for the organisation. 

“It’s terrific news for the Bendigo Historical Society to have a home and display area at last,” he said. 

“To get a historical building like that, arguably the oldest in Bendigo, it’s terrific. 

“It’s very central and easy to access for people to come in and have a look. ” 

The group will also start tours from the site. 

“We’ll certainly have a mining display with a lot of objects related to that,” Mr Evans said. 

“We’ll have items relating to music and the arts and of course the famous men and women in Bendigo’s history. 

“We’re very grateful to both the City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo TAFE.” 

City of Greater Bendigo organisation support director Marg Allan said the council had sought a home for the society for some time. 

“The Historical Society previously operated out of the old Bendigo Gaol, before it was earmarked for development and plans were set in place to build the new community theatre,” she said. 

The cottage was built by stonemason James Brierly in 1856.