August Schwerkolt (1822-1886) emigrated with his wife Paulina (1823-1884) from the town of Świebodzin in Prussia arriving at Hobson’s Bay on 20 December 1849. They settled initially in Northcote, where a number of fellow Germans had already become established. On 14 December 1861, the Schwerkolts purchased 88 acres of land beside the Mullum Mullum Creek or Deep Creek, Mitcham, and with their children worked both properties for a time, with a market garden at Northcote, and charcoal-burning at Mitcham, while they cleared the Mitcham property for mixed farming. Schwerkolt built the first house at Mitcham in 1864 using stone excavated from near the creek, and progressively added a number of other outbuildings, including a stone smokehouse, a second timber cottage and stables, blacksmith and a wine cellar. Schwerkolt built a third cottage in stone with three rooms around 1886. August married a second time (to Wilhelmina) in 1885, and the cottage was only partially finished when he died in January 1886.[2] The cottage was rented out to tenants for a period of time but was condemned in 1960 by the Department of Housing, but the impending demolition resulted in the local community campaigning to preserve it. The former City of Nunawading purchased the site in 1964, and restoration was carried out by a group of volunteers committed to local heritage issues. The restored building was opened by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe, on 17 November 1965. Further reconstruction of original buildings including the blacksmith, barn, stone smokehouse, and the underground wine cellars were undertaken, and new buildings were erected to house the collection of the Whitehorse Historical Society. The smokehouse has been reconstructed using original photographs from the Schwerkolt family whilst not on the original location. The cellar however was reconstructed on its original place after archaeological excavations located its existence. This local history museum was opened in 1977 and has had several extensions added to it over the last 15 years. An orchard shed was also constructed in mid 2000.

Only open weekends and public holidays but worth the visit. Allow about an hour or more to browse and read about the various displays that date to early mid 1800s. Some of the toys and implements will surely bring back memories for some grandparents. I was fortunate to go with one and hear his stories. Very well preserved and maintained cottage next to the museum.

We visited here with our art group to sketch and paint. It’s a beautiful historical setting and it’s wonderful to see these places lovingly restored and maintained. Toilets and plenty of car parking available.

Schwerkolt Cottage is an enjoyable visit, especially on a mild day where you can enjoy the scenic views around the park it's settled in. There is an off street free public carpark adjacent to the complex which contains several buildings. The original cottage, stables, Blacksmiths shed, smokehouse, underground cellars and a substantial visitor centre and museum. These are only open at limited times generally on weekends only. We visited when everything was closed and still enjoyed our walk around the complex and gardens. The park Schwerkolt Cottage is in has lots of open lawn area for games, some stunning mature Eucalypts, a walk down and along the creek, children's playground, shaded BBQ areas, toilets, benches etc. On nice weekends it can be very busy and parking may be difficult.

Great walking and bike riding area nearby surrounded by nature, that travels along Eastlink tollway. The cottage has beautiful gardens and well preserved or restored historical buildings. The museum provides a peak into the history of the local area as well as a detailed history of the voyage and the land on which it stands. Certainly interesting if you like history.

Tucked off deep creek road near the cottage is a secluded park that has a walking track to quarry road at the deep creek end ample parking with a playground and BBQ. Opens to a grass clearing with a shared bike and walking path that winds along the creek towards quarry road. The path has a fork with a bridge over the creek you can go left or right as the path will loop back either way. Good 40 minute round trip walk in the late evening plenty of bird life.

I had never been inside the cottage before, but had been to the park many times on days the cottage is closed (it's only open on weekends). The volunteers were informative, and it's great to see this piece of local history. I had no idea the museum was there. It has some amazing treasures inside. Definitely worth a visit. Not to mention, you can take a walk along the Eastlink Trail and the creek.

I've been coming here for many years, it's just a great location for a quite afternoon family picnic.

Built in 1884, Schwerkolt Cottage is an original pioneer’s stone cottage surrounded by 2.25 hectares of bushland. The cottage has been restored to its original condition and furnished in the style of the period. Visitors can evoke the past by exploring the delightful cottage and its barn, wine cellar, smokehouse and orchard machinery shed. The complex also features a museum containing a large local history collection of household artefacts, photographs, toys and costumes. There are also barbeque facilities, a playground and walking paths. Located in Deep Creek Road, Mitcham, the Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum Complex is open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (except Christmas Day and Good Friday) from 2pm-5pm. Entry is free. Guided group tours on weekdays are available by appointment

Great historical place! Kind Staff!

It’s free entrance. Worth a visit if you are in this area, plus a nice walking track to walk and explore is just next to the museum.

Loved the play area and the park here. Amazing greenery around

Lovery landscape, great place for family visit for all ages. This is a really hidden gem in this area. Every seasons got different look. Must visit. No entry fee or parking charge. Very close from Nunawading or Ringwood.

You can visit this mini museum for a trip down memory lane and learn about the history of the Schwerkolt family and how they have contributed to the history of Blackburn. There are video presentation with naration, also a lot of artefacts displayed from the olden days. From Iron, telegraph, to washing machine made out of gears and wood, heater and stove. There are underground cellars just a few meters walk from the main museum and also a farm shed full of old farming and harvesting equipment. The nice grassland around the area is good for picnic when the weather is good.

It's like stepping into a time machine... being transported to a tangible space frozen in time. Makes you reflect on the past, present, and future within tranquil, lush grounds.

They’ve put a massive effort into finding period accurate antiques and information for the facility. It very well build and a pleasure to walk through

Pretty spot to take photos

Nice park to visit. Pity about all the noise from Eastlink. Was there at 12pm .Museum Opens 2pm .

Very interesting. Free activity. Heaps parkland around it

Unfortunately due to the Covid 19 lockdown the centre was closed but there was definitely enough there to spark up our curiosity, we walked around and had a look at as much as we could. Definitely have earmarked for a return to investigate further, even make a day of it with bbq and picnic ground located close by.

Fascinating place with friendly knowledgeable staff. I will be back!

nice place hopefully it will open again soon

This is a bit of history here in the Eastern Suburb of Mitcham. It's a beautiful part of the suburb with a reserve right next door and the historical cottage at one corner. Access is great from Deep Creek Road and parking is ample.

It's a nice Park with BBQ and toilet facilities, there's plenty of historic stuff around too.

Absolutely filthy toilets in the park, no paper whatsoever, the hand air-dryer was not working. If this can break, how can we have sufficient faith that we won't get locked inside these electronic facilities? Who is in charge, and why has it been let get in this condition?

Ideal place for a picnic

Great destination for a picnic.

A great place to catch up with friends while social distancing Lovely gardens with a walking track nearby. Friendly and informative staff.

Very nice spot for a picnic - lots of shade available, toilets, huge outdoor green spaces.

Beautiful place.great for picnic, walking.The only problem was to wear mask.

Interesting rainy day spot to pass time. Surprising how old the stuff is.

Very interesting, went on the annual fair day, but it is open each week. Free entry, free entertainment for the kids. Not very big, can do it in an hour and a variety of interests covered. Curiously, some of the exhibits were things from my childhood in grand mother's house, radio, ice chest, wall phone etc models dressed in clothes from the 70s and 80s. As a child of the 50s that does make me feel much older 😄

A beautiful tranquil place to visit with family and friends. A lovely piece of history and nature in the middle of suburbia.

Really beautiful and dog friendly (on lead) spot. Plenty of nice spots for a picnic and a small playground if you have kids.

Great piece of local history

I love the history if this pioneer cottage

Hidden gem of history.

Great venue for a outdoor wedding.

Great place for walks and picnic

Interesting 1850 onwards clothing, medicines, kitchen implements and appliances. For 60+ yrs young sure to recognise a few items from grand parents homes. Well worth a visit

This is a bit of history here in the Eastern Suburb of Mitcham. It's a beautiful part of the suburb with a reserve right next door and the historical cottage at one corner. Access is great from Deep Creek Road and parking is ample. The building is absolutely grand in a muted sort-of way and seems quite at home in its surroundings. Once a year there is more of a party atmosphere here on the grounds of Schwerkolt Cottage. This is the one time entry is free and there are lots and lots of old style activities on the grounds and you can't help but take in what it was like back in those days.

Very interesting to learn about the history around that area. Cottage was beautifully maintained and staff were helpful and willing to answer any questions

The old cottage fortunately has been retained in a large area of garden and grounds and is a small part of the history of the Mitcham-Ringwood area. The Museum is free and the cottage and museum are well worth a visit as it is not far from Eastlink.

Well set up and very informative. Great to see history as it was. How people lived and worked to sustain their families and acheive prosperity. Lovely grounds and parks for picnics and for the children to play nearby. Finish the day off with a walk through Yarran Dheran.

Great local history

Perfect place for a family picnic or barbecue.

Beautiful.

It was lovely looking at the old stuff.great grounds for picnic.

Great for kids and history of VIC. Beautiful surroundings and gardens

Who knew this was even there? Awesome little piece of history.

In addition to the heritage cottage, you can enjoy a nice walking alongside the green path beside highway, nice relaxing green hillside and a playground for kids.

The view wasn't too good some trees need pruning grass needs mowing few weeds in garden bins not quiet full . Other than that quiet relaxing .

Very nice place to picnic

Interesting place , nice facility

It was nice

A great piece of Victorian history.

Beautiful place with rolling grass

Interesting place to rest when on a long bike ride along Eastlink. Family picnics would be great here too.

Lovely place for a walk but need to be alert for hoon bike riders

Was a great attraction that very popular with wedding photographers. This place is very interesting attraction. also has great picnic facilities.

Such a small local museum!Open at Sat,Sunday only.

Simple yet informative. Quiet setting, great exhibits.

Lovely Park,

Good place for a family day out with event

Hidden gem. Wonderful pocket of history.

Great place for walk on Eastlink trail. Schwerkolt cottage worth a visit.

Lovely place. The cottage is charming. Lots of history and an impressive museum. Well worth a visit.

Right beside the bike path so was a great spot for a picnic lunch in the gardens. We should have brought a few sausages for the public BBQ. The electronic toilets were in good condition when we were there. They were actually played privacy music when the door closes.