All About Us

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We have taught in the Beaudesert District for over thirty years. During this time we have collected and preserved objects and buildings which are culturally and historically significant to the district.  A museum, gallery, cafe and cold climate garden are all part of Garden Hill, McGhee's small property located in the Lost World Valley.

About Garden Hill

We purchased this 100 acre block called Garden Hill over 30 years ago. Ray Stephens, a locally born historian, visited us and explained the origins of the name. It was called Garden Hill in the very early years because it was the location of a vegetable market garden operated by a Chinese man. He prospered by selling vegetables to the local timber-getters. At that stage quite a large community of people lived close by. He also pointed out that the original dray road to Beaudesert passed along the present driveway to the gallery, information supported by the discovery of a compressed road base when the new road was being constructed.

Exhibition Spaces

Six sheds form the gallery and display area – Collins' Dray Shed, Dunn's Hay Shed, Klan's Slab Hut, Cashell's Slab Hut, Ike Alexander's Dairy Shed and Ward's Hay Shed. Each shed represents a part of the early architectural development of the district. Most were in a state of serious disrepair. They have been upgraded using recycled materials from various places, but all were sourced from within the Beaudesert Shire. This has been achieved using a wonderful team of local tradesman, each of whom used local business for supplies.

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