The Johnston Collection

The Johnston Collection is a decorative arts museum housed in a restored 1860s townhouse where English Georgian, Regency, and Louis XV furnishings and objects are displayed across multiple rooms. The collection was assembled by William Robert Johnston, an antique dealer who spent decades acquiring these pieces.

William Robert Johnston spent his life as an antique dealer collecting English and French artworks with care and dedication. When he passed away in 1986, he bequeathed his entire collection to the state of Victoria, which led to the museum opening in 1990.

Artists and designers from the local art scene regularly reinterpret the collection through seasonal installations that appear three times a year. These collaborations let visitors see historical pieces from fresh perspectives and connect the past with contemporary creative thinking.

Visitors must meet at the Pullman Melbourne on the Park hotel, where transportation to the site is arranged since the actual location sits on private grounds. Planning ahead is recommended because the address is deliberately kept confidential.

The objects are displayed without labels, ropes, or barriers, creating the impression of viewing them in someone's private home rather than a formal museum setting. This intimate approach lets visitors connect with the works in a personal way that feels more like a personal collection than a traditional exhibition.