Bridgetown Police Station Museum Overview

Bridgetown Police Station Museum

Get directions

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...

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...

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...

Shire of Busselton Art Collection Art Geo Overview

Busselton Cultural Precinct

Where art and heritage meet

Art collections can be a fascinating way of dipping into the history of a place and this is certainly the case with the City of Busselton Collection. Like many other local government collections in WA...

Wellstead Museum

The history of the Wellstead family as farmers on the South Coast stretches back over 180 years. The family history is entwined within the vast collection amassed by descendent Max Wellstead, born in...

Belleview Shell Collection

Rare and spectacular!

For more than 40 years, this private collections has been drawing visitors to marvel at some 30,000 shells and other specimens. Shell collecting has been a passion for Peter Ignoti since he was a...

Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre

An old school building in the centre of Bunbury houses a fascinating overview of the history of this important regional centre. Stepping into this historic building from Arthur Street, you are...