It was set up in 1997 by Dr. Elizabeth Arthur, Honorary Medical Historian and Curator of the Museum collection, to celebrate the opening of the new hospital extensions. It consists of a permanent display of historic photographs and memorial plaques and also lists the names of donors, past and present, who have made generous contributions to various hospital causes.There is a changing display of museum artefacts in the corridor glass cabinets and in cabinets near the Board Room and the Education Centre. 
For items to be held in the museum collection, they must have an association with the medical services in the Western District, especially those connected to the Hamilton hospital and other hospitals in the area.
It is one of the largest medical collections held in a hospital in Australia that is dedicated to a specific geographical district and covers Medicine, Surgery, Nursing, Pathology, Pharmacy and Radiography. The archive contains a vast collection of relevant books, papers and photographs. For this we must thank former Hamilton surgeon, the late Mr Alistair Matheson, whose foresight saved much of the material that was destined to be destroyed in an era when past history was not valued.
Mr Matheson gathered suitable items together for a small display and from this early beginning, the collection has constantly been built upon as new pieces are discovered or are given to the museum by members of the public. About twenty five years ago, Mr Matheson passed on his role to Dr Elizabeth Arthur, who was a member of the AMA Medical History Unit and who had written extensively on the early medical history of the Western District. She is currently undertaking the mammoth task of catalogueing the entire collection.
In addition to the public displays, a special selection of rare books, photographs, hospital plans and surgical instruments is available for viewing by appointment. The museum archives are a great historical resource especially for research and for those seeking general hospital information or specific data about forebears who had lived in the district 09-Oct-2008
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