History Department

The Museum’s History department was established in 1970 – the first history department in a state museum in Australia. The History department specialises in developing collections reflecting the material life of Western Australians, and researching the story of the people and places in Western Australia in all its diversity.

TEDDY BEAR, soft toy

Item Count: 30,004

History Collection

By looking at the everyday objects that people made, used and cherished, we are able to understand the identity, history and community of Western Australia.

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Ruth Tarvydas Collection

Through her designs Ruth Tarvydas showcased Western Australia to the world, garnering both national and international recognition throughout her 46-year career.

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HAND GRENADE, ‘cricket ball’, No. 15, Mk 1, British

United Services Institute

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POSTCARD, V.A.D. Nurse

Item Count: 130

Swan Collection

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BEACH BAG, plastic, transport motifs

Item Count: 167

Stanwix Collection

The Stanwix Collection holds over 350 significant items donated by Shirley Stanwix (formerly Cläre Freudenberg) who fled Nazi Germany in 1938 as a young Jewish refugee with her extended family.

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BADGE, enamelled, large, circular, Noongar community 'ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY/ SECURITY OFFICER'

Sheridan's Collection

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DRESS

Prinsep Collection

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McWhinney-Scurlock Collection

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Marshall Collection

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EPERGNE, four rose coloured glass vases

Lockyer Collection

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L.A. Mills Collection

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BUST, Queen Elizabeth II

Kohler Collection

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CARVING KNIFE

Item Count: 694

Hall Collection

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PANEL, Beadwork

H.G. Nairn Collection

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CHESSMEN, Set of

H. Aubrey Hall Collection

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CHAIR, Dining

Gugeri Collection

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Forrest

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Fauntleroy Collection

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KNIFE, Bread

Elgee Collection

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Hannan Street H.R Redmonds arrival at Australia Hotel 1905. Mr William was MP born 1861 Barrister by profession. He was the son of late WA Redmond MP of Ballytrent County Werford who was MP for Werford from 1872 - 1880. Mr William Redford was returned to Parliament as member for Werford in 1883. Subsequently he represented Cpounty of Fermanagh and while in Kalgoorle was member for Clare. His wife was an Australian and his elder brother was leader of the Bush Nationalist Party. Mr Redmond and his...

Item Count: 9,951

Dwyer and Mackay

J.J. Dwyer moved to Kalgoorlie in the late 1800s with a dream of owning his own photography studio. He worked hard to achieve this, and soon opened a studio in Hannan Street.

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