Emerald Museum & Nobelius Heritage Park
Museum temporarily closed
Unfortunately Emerald Museum is closed until further notice due to concerns for the medical safety of our visitors and volunteers. Feel free to still visit the Nobelius Heitage Park.
Nobelius Heritage Park
The four and a half hectare heritage site was part of the world-famous Nobelius Nursery, started in 1886 by Swedish immigrant Carl Axel Nobelius. The nursery exported fruit and ornamental trees to five continents.
Emerald Museum
Set in the beautiful and historic Nobelius Heritage Park, Emerald Museum tells the story of Emerald's colourful past through displays of memorabilia, photographs and documents dating from early aboriginal occupation to the present day.
History of Nobelius' Gembrook Nurseries
Carl Axel Nobelius migrated from Sweden in 1872 and with his training and experience in horticulture he quickly obtained work as a nursery assistant, and later foreman, for the prominent landscaping firm Taylor & Sangster of Toorak. He then worked for South Yarra nurseryman Joseph Harris.
However, Nobelius dreamed of having his own nursery, so whilst continuing to work for Joseph Harris in South Yarra he began looking for land where he might be able to fulfil his ambition.
A Short History of Brookdale, Emerald
Brookdale Guest House
(click to enlarge)Bullocky David Charman selected land in 1890, extending from Charman Ave to Menzies Creek up to Monbulk Rd. He named the property “Brookdale”.
The Charman sons, Edgar & Percy, ran the farm with their father. Both David and Edgar had bullock teams. They attended church in Avon Rd, Avonsleigh which was then known as East Emerald. .
David & Lily made many friends who came to stay and as a result they started a guest house sometime around 1908.
The house became known as ’Brookdale Guest House’ and was located between Charman Ave and Brookdale Ave off Monbulk Rd, Emerald.
In 1914 Brookdale Guest House was sold to the Ferres family, and the farm later sold to Mr Robert James in 1980
Volunteers
An active group of volunteers with a variety of skills and experience meets each Wednesday morning.
Volunteers undertake a wide variety of tasks that gives opportunities to help in many different ways.
New volunteers are most welcome.
Where we are
- From Emerald follow the Beaconsfield Road.
- Turn left at Crichton Road just before the railway crossing.
- The entrance to Nobelius Heritage Park is at the end of Crichton Road.
- Follow the signs to the Museum Building.
See our map
(or Melway Map 127G4).
Salvia Display Garden
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When you are visiting Emerald Museum and Nobelius Heritage Park, make sure you visit the Salvia Display Garden. The Garden is maintained by the Salvia Study Group of Victoria.
For more information visit the Salvia Study Group of Victoria web site (salvias.org.au).
