Jar of animals

Animal

Elixir of life

This concoction is made of snakes, birds and local mammals from around York. It was made by two Chinese brothers, Lee Lee and Lee Wan Chong, as an elixir, which they drank regularly. The brothers settled in York and developed a market garden. In 1975, the brothers, aged 102 and 95, decided to return to China. Local residents conducted fundraising to pay for the Lee brother’s airfares. They returned to their village of Hung Kay on Toi Shan Island near Shanghai. Lee Wan died a couple of years later at the age of 97, however Lee Lee lived to the very old age of 114. Donated by Rebecca Elliott

Available at:

Shire of York Residency Museum

The history of York in an award-winning heritage listed building

This beautiful old building in York is a treasure trove of history. The former Magistrate’s residence has been reimagined as The Residency Museum, which sensitively shares the history of York...

Address:

5 Brook Street
York WA 6302
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9641 1751

Email:

museum@york.wa.gov.au

Open Hours

Friday 10am - 3pm. 11am to 3:00pm Saturday, Sunday and some publicised Public Holidays.
(Closed Good Friday, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day)

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Padlock

Hard history

This padlock is a harsh reminder of the way that Aboriginal people were treated. It was widespread practice during early settlement, to shackle Aboriginal prisoners when held in custody. It is...

Helena London’s red cape

Carmine cape

This red cape belonged to Helena, a child of Joseph London. In 1865 Joseph came to Australia as a convict from Worcester in England, for a seven-year sentence of 'servitude and labour' in York. Once...