Closure

Museum records list curators until 1878. However, in 1861 the committee's report noted that the museum had been in abeyance for several years and documented the committee's dismay that a considerable collection of articles and specimens was "remaining entirely useless to the public."

 

A museum display case, circa 1870
detail of image of Church of England Assembly
From the pictures collection of the State Library of Victoria

The committee noted that to properly arrange and exhibit the collection would require a large outlay, and to have it efficiently taken care of a further constant expenditure. The committee recommended that the collection be catalogued and deposited on loan to the National Museum "subject to being restored to the Institution on demand at any time." So far no evidence has been found of the collection's final destination. No catalogue or list of the museum's contents has been located.