This striking red brick building was constructed in 1859 as a market building for Maldon, but it wasn’t a success and the market closed down a few years later. Now it is home to the Maldon District Museum and History Research Centre, which seems entirely appropriate given the historic significance of the building. During the intervening years the building housed a hall and shire offices; the council eventually moved to the nearby yellow brick building in the 1960s.
The market was established in the classic English market building tradition and it originally had large arches at either end. It’s worth visiting inside the museum just to see the fascinating painting of the building as it looked in around 1864, painted by Henry J.C. Mitchell who was a painter, draughtsman, surveyor and mining engineer and the first Shire Secretary of the Shire of Maldon.
The classical style portico at the east end of the building was added in 1865, while a mezzanine was built inside (‘renovated warehouse’ style: ahead of its time!). Now there’s a lovely manicured lawn area near the entrance to the museum and lovely trees of course; the building is nestled in amongst the Maldon Shire Gardens and an easy walk from the retail strip.
Reminder! To experience a special insider’s view into this wonderful historic building, come to the Maldon Museum & Archives Association’s Open Day on Sunday 6 July from 11 am to 3 pm.
This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 4 July 2025.
