School Programs at Samford Museum

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A living history experience for schools

School Excursions at Samford Museum

Bring history to life with an unforgettable school visit to Samford Museum. Our interactive education program has been running for over 20 years and is a favourite with teachers, students, and the wider community. Designed to showcase life in the 1900s – 1950s compared to today, our program offers a hands-on and memorable learning experience.

Your school day at Samford Museum

What To Expect

Your day out to Samford Museum includes:

8 engaging demonstrations covering topics from pioneer living to communication and schooling

Runs 9:30am to 1:30pm, Monday to Friday (school terms only)

Includes two scheduled breaks for morning tea and lunch

Free entry for attending parents, plus complimentary tea, coffee, and hot water

All visits by appointment only, booked through our bookings form or call 0417 610 983.

What your students will experience

Program Higlights

We aim to inspire curiosity & connection, providing an inclusive space for
diverse stories to shine, fostering a deep appreciation for creativity.

Timber Getting: Discover how early settlers cleared land, split logs for floors and walls, crafted roof shingles, and built post-and-rail fences.

Blacksmith: Watch the village smithy at work and learn his vital role in farming life — including a demonstration of horse shoeing.

The Corner Store: Step back into the world of the 1870s general store and compare it to today’s supermarkets

The Schoolhouse: Experience a 19th-century classroom using slates and chalk, all inside a replica of the original 1872 school built by local farmers.

Horse-Drawn Transport: Explore the different horse-drawn vehicles and how people travelled, including a look at Ferny Grove Railway Station.

Cow Bails & Creamery: See how milk was collected, cream separated, and butter churned. Students can even sample freshly made butter on bread.

Slab Kitchen & Laundry: Hands-on with old-time kitchen and laundry tools — from taking a bath in a tub to using a copper boiler and hand wringer.

Toys & Communication: Try out vintage telephones, talk through jam tin phones, and explore games from a time before screens.

Timetable for your school group

Visit Itinerary

Your school excusions begins at:

9:30am – Arrival and welcome in front of the Timber Stage (including a safety briefing)

Groups of ~12–13 students rotate through 20-minute demonstration stations

Morning tea at ~10:30am (30 mins)

Lunch break at ~12:30pm (40 mins)

1:30pm – Program concludes with a group debrief at Ferny Grove Station building

For more information or to make a booking, use our booking form or call 0417 610 983.

Get in touch!

We're Just a Message Away

We’d love to hear from you! It’s a great day out for the students and a valuable accompaniment to the school curriculum. Book your visit today.

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Yes! We offer programs and resources designed specifically for children and families. What’s more, admission for guests ages 18 and younger is always FREE. (Note that even when admission is free, an admission sticker is still required for entry into the galleries.) Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Yes! We offer programs and resources designed specifically for children and families. What’s more, admission for guests ages 18 and younger is always FREE.

What are your opening hours?

The museum is open on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm and Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

School and private group visits are available on other days by prior arrangement.

We are also open on special event days. We’re open from 9am to 2pm on Australia Day (26th January) and Anzac Day (25th April.)

The museum takes a summer break, around the same time as the long school holidays. We will post information here as soon as 2025’s closure dates are known.

What is the cost of admission?

Adults $6
Children $2 (Years 1 to 12) *
Children 0-5 years FREE
* Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult

Group rates are available for schools and private group visits.

FREE ADMISSION on Australia Day and Anzac Day (January 26th & April 25th.)

Do I need to book in advance?

Bookings aren’t required for general visits. However, schools, tour groups or private visits should book ahead. Historical demonstrations are available for groups larger than ten people. Please email info@samfordmuseum.com.au or call 0417 610 983 to organise.

Can I book a group or school visit?

Absolutely! Group and school bookings are available by arrangement. Historical demonstrations are available for groups larger than ten people. Please email info@samfordmuseum.com.au or call 0417 610 983 to organise.

Is parking available?

Yes, there is free parking available on Station Street for cars. There is also room for one large coach or two smaller buses to park at the museum’s front gate on Station Street. Additional parking can be found in Samford Village. Take a look at our map for more details and directions.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Most of our outdoor and indoor displays are accessible, but please contact us ahead of time if you have specific access needs.

Our main building has a ramp to enter on the western side of the building opposite the transport Mews and there is one for entering the School. There are two toilet facilities available, both of which are marked on the Site Map. The toilet nearest the Blacksmith’s Workshop is disability abled. All but two of our attractions are wheelchair accessible and the Samford Museum’s entire property meets with the standards demanded by the Moreton Bay City Council.

Do you have a map of the museum & exhibits?

Yes. When you enter you will be supplied a Map of the Museum with all the dedicated display sites shown numerically. Follow the numbers from 1 to 21 & they will take you around the Museum at your leisure.

Here is also a Google Map of the Samford Museum location.

Can I volunteer at the museum?

Absolutely! We’re always keen to welcome new volunteers. Whether you’re into local history, gardening, admin or event support, there’s a place for you. Get in touch via our email or visit during open hours.

What's your postal address?

Samford District Historical Museum Society (Inc.),
The Secretary,
PO Box 100,
Samford 4520

Can I take photos?

All photos taken of the Samford Museum exhibits may be re-used publically, providing you acknowledge they have been taken at and used with, “Courtesy of The Samford Museum.”

Onsite safety advice

Operational machinery and other safety hazards are present throughout the site. All visitors are reminded to take care to ensure their safety. Children must be adequately supervised at all times and kept a safe distance from any machinery or likely source of risk to their safety.

Do you have historical resources & can help with research?

We have limited copies of photos, publications, CDs, DVDs and photocopying facilities on site. Charges if appicable, are on request. Or volunteers are happy to assist with family history enquiries.

How are you funded?

Our museum is self-funded and operated completely by volunteers. Funds are raised through our admission fee, good old-fashioned hard work at special events held at the museum, other local events, and occasional grants from local, state and federal government. Want to support us? Visit out donations, volunteering and sponsorship section. You can also purchase from our shop to raise funds.

Your support helps us offset the cost of: