You're almost there! If you look to your left, you'll spot a striking, majestic red brick building with large, arched windows-this is the National Wool Museum. At 26 Moorabool Street, it’s housed in what used to be the Dennys, Lascelles Ltd Woolstore. You might also notice the charming, old-timey feel of the building, which harks back to its storied past.
Now, let's dive into its rich history! The National Wool Museum, which opened during Australia's Bicentennial Celebrations in 1988, is much more than just a homage to wool-it's a tapestry of history woven into the very fabric of Geelong. Imagine, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself cut the ribbon on April 14, 1988! Talk about a royal endorsement!
The idea for this museum actually started brewing as early as 1979, thanks to the Geelong Regional Commission. It took nearly a decade of knitting those plans together before the museum came to be. Initially, it had three galleries dedicated to wool and the significance of the Geelong Wool Exchange.
Today, it's more vibrant than ever. Besides the museum, the building houses Denny's Kitchen, a delightful restaurant, and Lambys, a lively nightclub-so you can learn about wool in the day and party like a shearer at night!
Whether you're interested in textile history, contemporary art exhibitions, or special events, the National Wool Museum has something that will make your visit un-fleece-getable!
