Local History Museums in Perth

Reminiscing about days gone by is a lovely way to delve into the past. There’s lots of places around Perth – museums, history villages, and local history centres, that will trigger memories and are great spots to enjoy a trip down memory lane. Here’s the best places to discover local history in Perth;

Want to know about the history close to home? Be sure to check out these fascinating spots, mainly run by local councils and historical societies around Perth.

Kalamunda History Village

Perth is home to brilliant local history museums – if you want to find out what life was like in your own area. The largest local history museum in WA is the Kalamunda History Village, where the original post office, train station, school house, as well as many cottages and vehicles can be found. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

Mount Flora Regional Museum, Watermans Bay

For local history buffs, the Mount Flora Regional Museum is a wonderful place to visit for a trip down memory lane. It’s just a gold coin donation to visit the unique spot, found in an old water tank! The museum is open each Wednesday afternoon and as well as many interesting artefacts and historical photos, there’s a spectacular view of the coast from the roof of the old water tank. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

The Mount Flora Museum is found at Elvire Street, Watermans Bay.

Birtwistle Local Studies Library, Armadale

The Birtwistle Local Studies Library, named after Ivor Treharne Birtwistle, is home to much of his personal collection relating to Western Australian history. The passionate historian was also a journalist and ANZAC at Gallipoli. Here you can view photographs, books, essays, letters, writings and scrapbooks recorded over the course of his life. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

Courtesy Access WA

Guildford Historical Precinct

It’s no surprise that one of WA’s oldest towns, Guildford, is brimming with history. Visit the Guildford Historical Precinct, located at the Swan Valley Information Centre in Guildford, where today the precinct is home to the old courthouse (the information centre), a jail and more – all full of interesting artefacts. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

Sampson House, Fremantle

Samson House was built for the Lord Mayor of Fremantle, Michael Samson, and completed in 1888. Sir Frederick Sampson or “Mr Fremantle” as he was known, campaigned to preserve many of Fremantle‘s heritage sites, one including the asylum – now the Fremantle Arts Centre. He generously left his home and the contents of two generations to the people of WA. The house and the grounds are open to the public on the first Sunday of every month. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

Fremantle Cemetery Heritage Walk Trail

The Fremantle Cemetery has a fantastic Heritage Walk Trail and occasional guided tour. The tour includes fascinating stories about Fremantle locals buried within the cemetery (including the infamous Moondyne Joe). Making it a fantastic glimpse into the rich past of the port town and of life in eras gone by. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

Some other local history museums worth a look are:

Wanneroo Museum, Wanneroo Cultural Centre
Azelia Ley Homestead, Hamilton Hill

Discovering WA’s Past – Perth Museums

WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth

The impressive WA Museum Boola Bardip (which means many stories in Whadjuk Nyoongar language) is a good place to find out more about our state’s cultural heritage. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

Fremantle Prison, Fremantle

Delve into WA’s convict past with a tour around tone of the most fascinating (and haunting) places in Fremantle – Fremantle Prison. You’ll see the conditions that prisoners lived in there (right up until the early 1990s) and how some tried to make daring escapes! Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

The Round House, Fremantle

WA’s oldest building is Fremantle’s first prison – the tiny Roundhouse! Built with convict labour, it’s a fascinating little spot. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

The Perth Mint, Perth

Find out about WA’s gold rush era at the Perth Mint. A tour focuses on how gold mining built our great state, as well as impressive gold nuggets, the world’s largest coin and you can even watch a gold pour! Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

Perth Bell Tower, Perth

Perth’s Bell Tower was built to mark the millennium. It is home to historic bells from London that were gifted to WA. On a tour, you can try ringing the bells, and there’s a great view from the lookout deck. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

No 1 Pump Station Museum, Mundaring Weir

While the goldrush was important for the growth of WA, it would have never have been sustainable without a permanent water supply in the dessert. You can find out all about how water was transported to the goldfields at the No 1 Pump Station Museum at Mundaring Weir. The National Trust run museum is full of interesting facts about how the huge engineering feat was achieved by the legendary CY O’Connor. Read all about it in the Seniorocity review.

Want to do Your Own Exploring?

Your local library is also a great source of delving into your suburbs’ history. They have a range of official documents, old photographs and more. They often have access to family tree research tools too.

If you’re after specific history or motoring, trains, maritime and more. Find all whole lot more to discover in our “Ultimate Museums in Perth” guide.

Have we missed any of your favourite History Museums in Perth? Let us know in the comments below!

About the Author
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About Stella B

Stella is loving retirement! Besides her loves of gardening, reading and painting, she adores spending time with her family and being out and about in Perth. Living in the Perth Hills, her time is often spent brunching with her husband at one of Kalamunda’s many cafes or enjoying a food platter over a glass of wine at a Bickley Valley winery.