Visitors to the Ipswich Hospital Museum can view instruments from 19th century operating theatres and the memorabilia of a student nurse in the late 1940s when the museum reopens to the public on 7 June.

The museum will reopen with a special exhibition that also features the Dr Trumpy and Matron Wilcox Collection and the Pharmacy Recipe Book. Dr David Trumpy was the hospital’s first medical superintendent from 1887 to 1920.

Ipswich Hospital Museum volunteer Jane Kingston said she was thrilled to once again welcome visitors and researchers to the museum.  

“Throughout this time, our dedicated team of volunteers remained committed to preserving our valuable collection and maintaining our connection with the community," she said. 

During the closure, the collection was stored in other West Moreton Health facilities, including nearby Cribb House and The Park – Centre for Mental Health at Wacol.  

“It was a considerable task to move and catalogue the items effectively, and we stayed engaged with the community through our Facebook page,” she said.  

“Our museum volunteers rose to the challenge, ensuring that the historical collection remained safe and accessible for the future.”

As construction of Ipswich Hospital began in November 1859, five months after Queensland separated from the colony of NSW, it is fitting that the museum’s official re-opening occurred on Queensland Day, 6 June 2023.

“We take great pride in considering ourselves the state's first hospital,” Mrs Kingston said.  

Ipswich Hospital is also the oldest Queensland hospital still located on its original campus.

“We are proud to maintain the history and story of staff who worked at the hospital during its 160 years,” she said.  

Before the closure, the museum’s collection was formally assessed to evaluate its historical, aesthetic, scientific, research, and social or cultural importance. A second assessment provided valuable recommendations on storage, care, and preservation techniques. Both assessments were possible through heritage grants.  

The museum is located on the Ipswich Hospital campus at Jubilee Building in Court Street, adjacent to the East Street entrance.

It is open each Wednesday from 9am to noon by appointment. Details for appointments can be found on the Friends of the Ipswich Hospital Museum Facebook page.