Bridgetown Police Station Museum Overview

Bridgetown Police Station Museum

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A South West highlight - compelling insight into local history

Bridgetown Historical Society curates the museum within the original Bridgetown Police Station and Lockup 1880. The graffitied cell walls and the well-worn floorboards of this 1880 building speak of the many people that have spent time here, either as police or as prisoners. The early settlement was called ‘Geegelup’, taken from the Pibulmun/Wadandi people’s term for the freshwater crustaceans in the local brook (now known as gilgies). In 1868 the town was proclaimed as Bridgetown. The Aboriginal history is not lost, however, in fact it is incorporated as an important part of the story of this building and the district. In recent years, the Historical Society has consulted with local Elders to develop the current displays. Changing exhibitions draw on the extensive photographic collection of more than 1500 items.

Visit website

Address:

148 Hampton St
Bridgetown WA 6255
Australia

Tel:

0487 592 704

Email:

info@bridgetownhistoricalsociety.org.au

Opening Hours

Sat 10am - 1pm; Other times on request.

Suitcase Stories

The story of arrival is told through this display of suitcases. Each case tells a different story: a Group Settler’s wooden trunk from 1925; a leather trunk of a family of means who created the farm...

Lock Up Chain

Imprisonment was an inhumane experience. Only Aboriginal prisoners were chained to this heavy chain which was anchored through this gap in the wall of the lock-up. Chains were secured to neck braces...

Dog Tag

The Dog Act 1883 required that owners register their dogs with their local Road Board. This rare metal dog tag was issued by the Nelson Road Board in 1907. This was the name of the district which was...

Waroona Museum

The Waroona Museum occupies the old Roads Board Building for the Drakesbrook District, as Waroona was known prior to 1946. This smart wooden building on the South West Highway was built in 1932. The...

Cranbrook Museum

Great Southern Treasures

The sound of the steam train whistle is long gone but the history of Cranbrook as an important railway hub is still evident. Cranbrook’s local history is told inside the Station Master’s House which...

Gnowangerup Heritage Group

Visit three sites to take in this local collection.

Visit a place where graffiti from prisoners still exists on the old jail cell walls or take in the history of farming. The Gnowangerup Heritage Group collection is held over three sites, the old...

Coalfields Museum

The Coalfields Museum comprises an historic collection which is making good use of the district’s old Roads Board building. The display of old machinery and vehicles behind the smart brick building is...