Local History

Local shire history from the period of the shire's establishment. Previous to that the general pastoral history of the area is collected, including a comprehensive base history. The emphasis is agricultural and social and includes the four other small towns that existed in the area. We have set up a virtual identity by making our library of machinery manuals available in a digital format. The index to our holdings can be accessed on our website. Strengths are local community archives and objects collected locally. A new focus is on Australian Windmills and about 60 have been collected, with...

Chiverton House is a community museum; its collection reflects changing lifestyles influenced by mining (1848-1950). The building, histories and collections relating to Capt Samuel Mitchell and his family provide a link to the convicts and Lynton Hiring Station (1853-56), the railway (1879-1957), pastoral and farming development (1850 onwards) and the local effects of events such as depressions and wars.4,000 objects include house (as operating home) objects, farm machinery (some restored) 1,000 photos include local families, identities, property homes and events.
The museum complex comprises four main buildings, an entrance and parcels office circa 1923; signal box with 95 levers circa 1913; ladies and men's waiting rooms circa 1917; and a refreshment room and bar circa 1923 with bar circa 1906. Main collection areas are the railway history of the Merredin area; Merredin's social, agricultural, mining and war (1939-45) history; and a large doll collection. Garden surrounds include a waterfall (the only one between Perth and Adelaide); fish ponds where children are encouraged to feed fish; and an overhead water tank from which steam engines were...
Maritime museum focussing on display of shipwreck material. Housed in a registered historic building - the former convict built government commissariat (built in 1851, with later additions). A major 'icon' is the reconstructed hull of the Dutch East India 'Batavia' (1629) and associated objects. The Batavia mutiny story is a major feature.Over 25,000 shipwreck relics. Artefacts associated with historic shipwreck sites in Western Australia dating from 17th to the 20th Century. Mainly archaeological material recovered in the course of underwater excavations. Includes structural elements of wood...

1906 Road Board Building
1930 Road Board Building
Mining Industry of Collie

Kalamunda History Village is a local history museum on the site of the original Kalamunda railway station yard. The two original station buildings and platform are listed as buildings of significance by the National trust of Australia. To this site the original Kalamunda School, the first two Post Offices and three domestic buildings have been relocated as well. Hence a village-like atmosphere is created around the station yard.

Three domestic buildings: a pioneer's cottage dated at 1881 (off site), a 1900s settler's cottage and a 1920's guest house are presented as period houses. A school...
This museum is a branch of the Western Australian Museum. It's colonial, modern and recycled buildings have spectacular views. The collection highlights dioramas of natural history, maritime, whaling, social history, exploration and aboriginal interactions. Features include works by leather artisans, a lighthouse and a display from Eclipse Island, the Jardine "Sea and Touch" collection exhibition.200 items plus, from the main collection of 4,000 items in Perth.
In 1863 the first school between Perth and Freemantle was built on Freshwater Bay. This building now forms the core of the museum site, which opened in 1975. Exhibits are changed periodically and address issues related to the loacl history of Claremont. The museum collects and preserves material culture associated with the district of Claremont, including oral histories and photographs. The Public Access System (PAS) provides researchers with information on Claremont's history. Our education program for schools is designed to fit the curriculum.Local community. Artefacts, photographs, oral...
Anzac Cottage is a historic house built in 1916. The house was built in one day by a team of over 200 volunteers with donated building materials. It is Australia's first war memorial dedicated to World War I and was built to house a returned Gallipoli war veteran. The first veteran to live in the house was C.J. Porter, who lived there for many years with his family. The house is now the headquarters of the Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia (Western Australia branch).
The Museum has a collection of items relating to the local history of the the districts within the City of Belmont and resides in a purpose-built building, in early colonial style. The collections cover household items and early industries, with a special interest in horse racing. "Hands-on" activities are provided for school groups, which involves the use of early days equipment.approx. 600 photographs covering all aspects of the life and times of citizens - buildings of the area, items of everyday use in home, work and play.
The City of Gosnells Museum - Wilkinson Homestead (formerly known as Orange Tree Farm) is a local history museum located in a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. The Wilkinson Homestead, built in 1912, is the main museum building and is State Heritage Listed. The Wilkinson Family established a citrus orchard which became one of the largest in Western Australia. The collection and displays reflect the life of earlier times, including domestic life and agriculture. Hands-on education programs are presented by the volunteers who support staff in the work of the Museum.
The neighbouring park is...
A very large historical precinct of mining equipment and buildings (commissioned by Herbert Hoover, 1896) and restored houses, shop and boarding house in the town of Gwalia. The Museum has a excellent display of photographs, business and household equipment from 100 years of mining. This History blends with the modern open cut mining of the sons of Gwalia mine which the Museum overlooks. The state hotel and mine managers residence are impressive buildings against the simple timber and iron structures of Gwalia.1 000 photographs and 2 000 items record the history of mining and the people of...
Built C1852 as part of Convict Hiring Depot, later extended for use by Resident Magistrate. Taken over in 1902 by the State Health Department and included in the hospital complex until 1963. Vacant until 1969 when restored by the York Society for establishment of the museum.The development of York from 1831, including surrounding area. Reflects changes in York society and lifestyle since settlement. Large photographic collection.
Housed in an old building that has been extended. We have a small Museum which embraces a costume collection of c 2,000 pieces, an art collection of c 200 pieces, a huge photograph collection and a library. All of these are focused on Western Australian history and are run and maintained by volunteers of various trained expertise.Historic costumes and all related account remain including sewing machines, irons act. Photographs. Paintings and drawings.
The Kojonup Historical Society have been given the responsibility of two major historical buildings in Kojonup. The military barracks, built by the 51st regiment in 1845 as a military outpost, is now a museum featuring the building's past as the outpost, a school and a private residence. Elverd Cottage is a restored Pensioner Guard Cottage. One of a very few still featuring many of its original structures.The Kojonup Historical society also have a large collection of early photos, research material and over 1,000 objects ranging from household to farm machinery. A military room in the...
Very early suburban development in Perth, Western Australia with interesting variety of architecture in the area, colourful history, strong local community awareness.
Building - 1923 heritage building, originally an electrical sub-station. Became the Subiaco Museum in 1975, with five gallery spaces.The scope is limited to the geographical area of the city of Subiaco, taking in the suburbs of Subiaco, Shenton Park, Jolimont and Daglish. However the scope is wide in terms of time and in its coverage of all aspects of local cultural history. Social change eg The "Gentrification" of former...
The local history museum collects, documents, preserves and promotes those records and artefacts relating to the cultural and natural heritage of the city of Melville.3,500 items (2000 photographs)
Russ Cottage is a typical Yeoman's residence built on the banks of the Irwin River by Titus Russ in 1868-70 from local limestone. The cottage consists of four rooms with verandahs all around, and is furnished in the style of the early farming families with gifts from local residents. The sitting room features a portable organ which arrived in the Swan Colony with the Dent family on the "Marquis of Anglesea" on the 23/8/1829, and an octagonal table once owned by the Russ family is the centrepiece. Framed photographs of pioneer family members adorn the walls.

The kitchen features a pine dresser...
The museum is located inside the original Mingenew Government school, built in 1894. We are run solely by volunteers. We have two machinery sheds housing farming machinery and implements, some in working order. Located in a small rural community. We have a small collection of aboriginal artefacts. We also have a telephone exchange switchboard.Farming machinery, photographs, curios from the late 1800's to present day. Minutes from most of Mingenews sporting and community groups. Our main focus is on Minenew and it's development.
The museum is housed in a large modern brick building in the township of Serpentine, 55kms south of Perth. The museum's aim is to preserve our rural past for future generations. Some of our tractors are used for demonstrations at field days. Bus tours and school groups are encouraged to visit.The collection contains 58 Tractors, most in very good condition and working order, including a very rare M.A.N diesel tractor. Also on display are restored stationary engines, saws, pumps and various other farm items.

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