Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology

21/08/2026

Congratulations to Edith Cuffe OAM for being named a finalist in this years’ Museums & Galleries Queensland GAMAA awards.

The awards recognise excellence across Queensland’s gallery and museum sector, and Edith’s 40 years of commitment to the Abbey make this a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both her contribution and the journey of the Abbey.

For four decades, Edith has believed in what the Abbey could become, through the exciting periods of growth and the difficult years when keeping that vision moving forward required enormous persistence and sacrifice.

Together with Michael Strong and the wonderful community around the Abbey, that belief has shaped an enduring vision for the Museum, growing and sharing its remarkable collection, taking history beyond its walls through Archaeology on the Move, which laid the foundations for the education programs we are so proud of today, and helping establish the Abbey Medieval Festival 35 years ago, beginning a tradition that has continued to grow and evolve into the extraordinary event it is today.

Congratulations, Edith! Thank you for continuing to believe in what the Abbey can be.

⭐ Museums & Galleries Queensland is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2026 Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards (GAMAA) ⭐

The winners will be revealed at a special awards ceremony hosted by Ipswich Art Gallery in October.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who submitted a nomination this year. The breadth and quality of nominations received reflect the outstanding work being undertaken across Queensland's gallery and museum sector.

Our congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. We look forward to celebrating your achievements in October!

See the full list of finalists here:
https://magsq.com.au/gallery-and-museum-achievement-awards/







australia

Australian Museums and Galleries Association Queensland

Public Galleries Queensland

21/08/2026

A PopUp Museum has arrived at the Abbey!

We’re delighted to be hosting a fascinating exhibition from the PopUp Museum Project, created by members of Historia, a not-for-profit living history group.

Featuring objects loaned from private collections, this temporary exhibition explores arms, armour and warfare across different cultures and periods, from Iron Age bronze, Renaissance weaponry and Indian arms.

Keep an eye out for some particularly interesting pieces, including a 16th-century wheellock pistol, an impressive Zweihander sword, and 3000yr old jewelry.

The Popup Museum Project brings objects that might otherwise remain in private collections into public view, creating new opportunities to explore history through real objects and their stories.

Now on display at the Abbey Museum — make sure you have a look on your next visit!

18/08/2026

Winter Warmer Special - This Week Only 🥧🥪☕️🫖

We'd love to welcome you to the Abbey Museum Cafe!
This week only, we're offering a sale on savoury with 50% off all savoury food until this Saturday 22nd August or until sold out.

Warm up with one of our flaky pastries including pies in a variety of flavours, golden sausage rolls or spinach & fetta rolls. Tickle your tastebuds with a hot ham and cheese toastie, dine in with a creamy quiche or grab a savoury muffin or sandwich to go before the school or work run.
All available for dine in or take away.

Pair your meal with a barista-made coffee or a soothing cup of tea for the perfect winter treat.

If the Abbey Museum Café has been on your to-do list, there's never been a better time to visit.

Whether it's your first time or you're stopping by again, we'd love to welcome you in for great coffee, delicious food and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

See you soon! Cafe Open 10am - 2pm Monday - Saturday
📍31 The Abbey Place, Caboolture

14/08/2026

Another successful Abbey After Dark. A sincere thank you to Stephen Booker-McLay for his insightful and interesting presentation, and to each of our guests for joining us this evening. Our Abbey After Dark events are an excellent opportunity to showcase local historians and educators from our community in a relaxing and welcoming environment, with the chance to showcase relevant artefacts from our reserve collection. Join us next time!

14/08/2026

Has your Friday evening just opened up?

This is your LAST CHANCE to join us tonight for Abbey After Dark: I Am Spartacus with historian Stephen Booker McLay.

Discover the story behind Rome's most famous slave revolt, and the two others history almost forgot, through archaeology, ancient texts and fascinating historical evidence.

Enjoy an evening of history, refreshments and great conversation at the Abbey Museum.

🎟 Last tickets available. Book now:
https://abbeymuseumofartandarchaeology.rezdy.com/772441/abbey-after-dark-i-am-spartacus-by-stephen-booker-mclay-aug-14th

Image Credit: Nicola Sanesi, "Slave Revolt in the Final Battle Crassus Defeats the Slaves and Spartacus is Killed", Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

13/08/2026

We’re so excited to welcome back Tania Crossingham - Illuminator, Heraldic Artist and Teacher

Don’t miss tickets to our 40th celebration- Abbey History Festival!

https://abbeystowe.com/history-festival/

10/08/2026

Think you know the story of Spartacus? Think again...

Before you step into the world of Ancient Rome at the Abbey History Festival this September, uncover the darker history that shaped the Roman Republic at our next Abbey After Dark this Friday evening.

Join historian Stephen Booker-McLay as he reveals the forgotten stories of Rome's three Servile Wars, pieced together through archaeology, ancient texts and the lives history almost erased.

Enjoy an intimate evening of fascinating storytelling, accompanied by refreshments and a delicious charcuterie selection in the unique surrounds of the Abbey Museum at night.

🎟 Tickets are on sale now. Book your place now.
Link in comments.

09/08/2026

What are you doing this EKKA Monday?

If you're spending the Moreton Bay public holiday close to home, make it a day of discovery at the Abbey Museum!

Wander through our Inspired Images exhibition in our beautiful Art Gallery.
Explore a million years of human history in our Archaeological Collection.

Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, there's always something new to discover.

Open tomorrow, 10am – 4pm
Plus we're open every Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm.

22/07/2026

Have a love of Roman history? Join us at our next Abbey After Dark on Friday, 14th August 📅

We'll be exploring the series of three major slave revolts known as the Servile Wars during the Roman Republic hosted by Stephen Booker-McLay with his talk, 'I am Spartacus' 🏛️

For most people, their knowledge of Roman slave revolts, start and finish with the historical figure, Spartacus, when in fact his story makes up only one of the three revolts.

Most slaves lived and died without a trace. Join us to reconstruct the history of Roman slavery by weaving together evidence from a mix of archaeological finds, written primary sources, Imperial law codes, and more. Discover how slavery underpinned Roman society and the bloody histories of the three Servile Wars which are stories of savagery, betrayal, torture and crucifixions.

Doors open from 6pm with light refreshments to start 🧀🍷

Tickets only $45pp. - get yours NOW via the link below 🎟️👇

https://abbeymuseum.com.au/event/abbey-after-dark-i-am-spartacus-with-stephen-booker-mclay/

21/07/2026

COMING UP IN AUGUST

Join us and Prof John Moorhead on Saturday, 15th August, for the next Friends Presentation, Goths and Vandals.

These Germanic groups, who settled in the territory of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth and sixth centuries, have long had a hold on the popular imagination; even today, a Gothic subculture flourishes and we speak of acts of vandalism. We'll consider the origins of these peoples, their impact in Italy, Spain, and Africa, and the fall of the states they established there, before delving into their long-term significance in the history of those regions.

📍 The Abbey Hall (behind the Abbey Museum), 31 The Abbey Place, Caboolture
📅 Saturday, 15th August
⏰ 2pm - 4pm
🎟️ $10 Friends Member | $20 Guest
+ Booking Fee

Includes a light afternoon tea.

Tickets are on sale now! Secure yours via the link below:

https://abbeymuseum.com.au/event/presentation-by-professor-john-moorhead-goths-and-vandals/