History of the Site

0 Page | Created 11 May 2012

Well before the WA Museum was on this site it was part of a landscape that was a large system of freshwater lakes, swamps and wetlands.

For thousands of years, my old people used to rely on the wetlands, freshwater springs and ochre pits that surround the area where the Museum stands today. When food was abundant, Nyoongar people gathered to share in the rich and diverse plant and animal resources, practice their Lore and cultural rituals and catch up with family and friends.

Brett Nannup, 2012.

The following details show how the Museum site has developed over time.

1. 1850

   Surveyor General Roe chooses the current Perth Cultural Centre site to build the Perth Gaol and house convicts sent here to work.

2. 1856

   The Perth Gaol construction is complete.

3. 1891

   The WA Museum is established as the Geological Museum with a collection of geological specimens housed in the Old Perth Gaol.

4. 1892

   The term ‘geological’ is dropped from the Museum’s title and the building became simply the ‘Perth Museum’.

5. 1892 - 1913

   WA prospers during the gold rush.

6.   1899

   The Jubilee Building opens housing the State’s Library, Art Gallery and Museum. Part of the Gaol is removed to make way for this building.

7. 1902

   The Geologists’ offices is built on the Beaufort Street part of the site.

8. 1903

   The new Victoria Library is built and the State Library is relocated into it, leaving the Museum and Art Gallery to share the Jubilee Building.

9. 1908

   The Beaufort Street building is constructed between the Jubilee and Geologists building to house the Art Gallery.

10. 1913

    Hackett Hall is built as an extension to the Victoria Library building increasing the size and services of the State Library.

11. 1914 - 1960

    There is little development on the site due to two World Wars, the Depression and slow economic recovery after World War II.

12. 1957

    The George Weick gallery is built to house the Museum’s collection of military arms and medals.

13. 1960

    WA experiences the start of a mineral boom.

14. 1967

    Premier Brand announces plans for a new museum building. To make way some of the buildings around the Old Gaol are planned to be demolished.

15. 1968

    Woodward Gallery which housed the mammal collection was demolished from the site.

16. 1971

    The Wieck gallery and Nicolay Galleries are demolished.

    The Francis Street building is completed.

17. 1972

    Francis Street building is opened to the public with three floors of exhibitions and four floors of collection and administration space. The centrepiece of the Museum was the rare Blue Whale skeleton, an artefact that has become an icon of the WA Museum.

18. 1980

    The Art Gallery moves to its current premises on Roe Street.

19. 1985

    State Library moves to the Alexander Library building. The Victoria Library is demolished.

    Hackett Hall becomes part of the Museum and some alterations made to the rear wall in order to join it to a new extension for offices and store rooms.

20. 1999

    A glass insertion is placed between the Jubilee Wing and Hackett Hall to join the two buildings and become the Museum foyer.

21.   2003

    The Francis Street building is closed due to asbestos and for safety reasons. Staff and the collections are moved to the Collection and Research Centre in Welshpool.

22. 2011

    Francis Street building is demolished.

23. 2012

    The temporary Museum Grounds are opened and become home to the Perth International Arts Festival’s Festival Gardens.

24. May 2012

    Minister for Culture and the Arts John DAY MLA announces the State Government’s commitment to build a new museum on the former Francis Street site.