[1] Notable artefacts include: Originally built as a four-storey windmill on Corbelly hill, the highest point in Maxwelltown, in 1798, the site was purchased by Dumfries and Maxwellton Astronomical Society in 1834.

[10] Over a two-year period the tower was converted into an Observatory,[11] and with advice from polar explorer Sir John Ross, a telescope was purchased from a Mr Morton of Kilmarnock.

The main hall of the museum was built in 1862, and housed the collections of the newly founded Dumfries and Galloway Natural History & Antiquarian Society.

In 1981 a major addition of a new gallery, shop, search room and offices for curatorial staff was added.

[13] The instrument, based in the top level of the windmill tower, offers a complete 360° panorama of the surrounding landscape.