Violet Town Museum

The old Op Shop at 20 Cowslip Street, Violet Town, will be renovated and its use donated to the community. The larger shop will become Violet Town's Museum of Local History, and the smaller shop, as well as the buildings attached to it at the rear will become an Art Gallery where local artists will be able to display and sell their works.

Other plans in the works include incorporating tourist information within the museum, and a shop to showcase and sell local produce.

Other possibilities being considered include the construction of a number of small spaces along one of the boundary fences, to be made available to local entrepreneurs for peppercorn rent, to encourage local business.

Businesses and uses that have already been proposed include tea rooms and artists' workshop.

The walkway between the two shopfronts will be widened and opened up, and together with the driveway being cleared, will be designed to create inviting entrances to encourage visitors to wander in and enjoy a courtyard/art park and check out the shops within.

It was first thought that as the buildings were in such a state of disrepair, they would have to be demolished. A heritage engineer has been engaged to advise on the restoration of the facade, and the possibility of retaining some of the buildings, and it now appears that some of the buildings can be restored.

Upon completion of the restoration of the facade and the external and internal structure of the buildings, the shops will be handed over to the Violet Town History Group under the auspices of the Violet Town Action Group.

This is an exciting project which will rejuvenate the appearance of our main street, and contribute to bringing cultural and economic benefits to our town.

Thank you to all the local residents who have contributed by volunteering their labour, skills and knowledge so far.

Keep checking this page to follow the progress of the renovations!