The museum has been left two downtown Hobart houses and their contents by benefactor Henry Baldwin, who died late last year.

Museum Trustee Alderman John Freeman says Mr Baldwin wanted one of the properties turned into a museum, and the aim will be to concentrate on Tasmania's colonial years.

Alderman Freeman says a manager and curator are being sought.

"There's really a a broad range, from furniture through to memorabilia that have been collected over the years," he says.

"I've been there and had a look, but I mean it's going to take some considerable time for the people who we've advertised for to sit down and actually catalogue it all."

Alderman Freeman says issues such as disabled access still need to be resolved, but it's a wonderful opportunity for something new.

"It would be, I suspect, a focus on Tasmaniana, not 20th century, perhaps a bit earlier than that, translating across 19th century to 20th century," he says.

Source: By Australian Broadcasting Corporation