The Elphinstone Pioneer Museum was started by Les Peterson in the 1960s, and operated for years as the regional museum for the south Sunshine Coast.

Dick Kennet also was involved at the beginning.

In May of 2002 it amalgamated with the Sunshine Coast Maritime Museum to form the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives.

At the time of the amalgamation, Barrie Stewart was president of the museum society, and he continued on the board of the SCMA during the transition.