WHEN it comes to history, there are few antique collections that could tell as many stories as Ken and Joan Bradford's.

For decades the couple have been collecting items of historical significance, from axes to antiques and memorabilia.

Now their collection of hundreds of items is on display for the public to marvel at.

Taking pride of place in the old grain shed next door to the Killarney Heritage Centre, the collection is a centre piece for the Southern Downs Heritage Festival.

Mr Bradford was raised in Tannymorel.

His love of axes began as a child, and came from his father - a bullock in Mt Colliery.

"I always wanted my grandfather's axe," he said.

"It's gradually grown from there - I've got about 70 axes done up and more to be handled."

The keen collector also has a collection of saws and accordions.

For Mrs Bradford, her collection comes with countless memories of her childhood in Swanfels.

From dolls she won in a raffle as a child to a leather bag owned by her great, great grandmother, every piece has a story.

"For me it's all about the memorabilia of it - the stories I can tell about them all," she said.

The collection has been drawing plenty of attention from Killarney Heritage Centre visitors during the past week.

Heritage Centre president Tony Pearson said there had been great feedback from the Southern Downs Heritage Festival.

"It's wonderful to see the whole region come together," he said.

"We were all so excited when the Pringle Cottage team contacted us to see if the Heritage Centre was interested in being part of it (the festival)."

In the past few days, two bus tours have stopped off at the Heritage Centre.

"We're getting about 50 people through each day," Mr Pearson said.

"People absolutely love it."

The Killarney Heritage Centre, along with the Bradford's collection, will be open from 10am to 2pm each day until Anzac Day.