It was announced in July that the museum, housed in the former Guyra Shire Council Chambers, 162 Bradley Street, would be repainted and recarpeted.

Painters Barrie Cox and Quinn Larsen, from BJ & LM Cox Painting Contractors, began work on Monday.

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This is the first stage in the renovations, which Dorothy Lockyer, of the Guyra and District Historical Society, says could take from 6 to 12 months.

To minimise disruption, only two rooms will be renovated at a time, starting with the two front rooms, which house, among other items, the museum’s collection of war memorabilia.

A small but dedicated group of volunteers have spent the last six weeks cataloguing and photographing the artefacts, before stowing them safely in boxes.

Once the rooms are painted, builders will take up and replace the floor.

The renovations mean that the museum’s full collection will be on display. Other upgrades to the museum include better signage, and the choice of brochures or a volunteer guide.

The museum, funded by the Armidale Regional Council, opened in 1984. It was only open by appointment until last year, when it opened on Sundays.

Ms Lockyer would like to see the museum open all week, operating partly as a tourist centre, but says this would require more volunteers.

Throughout the renovation period, the Museum will still be open on Sundays from 11am to 3 pm.