PLATE, COMMEMORATIVE - 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Birmingham Mint and BJH Ceramics were commissioned by the Royal Western Australian Historical Society to create this plate to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Swan River Settlement in 1829. 5000 plates were made and numbered and distributed to prominent people, organisations and Western Australian historical societies, included the Armadale Kelmscott Historical Society.

The plate features portraits of men and women the Royal WA Historical Society believed to have played a prominent role in the past 150 years. The people included were:

Charles Yelverton O'Connor, an engineer oversaw the design and construction of the Fremantle Harbour and the Kalgoorlie water pipe line

Lord John Forrest, explorer and the Colony's first elected Premier

Sir Winthrop Hackett, influential editor of the West Australian Newspaper

Sir James Mitchell, Premier and Governor of WA,

Ms Edith Cowan MP, the first woman to be elected to Federal Parliament

Dame Mary Durack, author, pastoralist and was well known for her relationship with Aboriginal groups in the Kimberly

John Curtin MP, Prime Minister during World War II

Sir Paul Hasluck, Governor of Australia, historian and author

Sir Charles Court, Premier of WA during the 150th celebrations

John Septimus Roe, Swan Colony's first surveyor general

Sir James Stirling, the first Governor of the Swan Colony

Bishop Dom Rosendo Salvado, Benedictine monk and founder of New Norcia

In 1967 at a Shire of Armadale Kelmscott 'Pioneers Reunion' event, Cryil Rushton (MLA for Dale) urged Shire councillors to establish a repository at the new Council offices for documents, photographs and objects important to the history of the district. That same year the Armadale Kelmscott Historical Society (AKHS), was started by members of local community with the aim to 'preserve the history of the district'. The AKHS which was a member of the Royal Perth Historical Society quickly attracted over 100 members.

In 1971 the Council and the AKHS began to explore options for establishing a local museum. Originally it was planned to convert the former home of Herbert Dale into a museum but it soon became obvious that if donated artefacts and documents were to be stored and displayed properly a new museum would have to built. On 8 November 1973 the AKHS launched a fund raising appeal at a public meeting held at the Armadale Hall. The Shire Council pledged to donate $2 for every dollar raised. History House was the name chosen by the society. Architect Phil Pritchard and other local organisations agreed to donate his services to design the building and oversee the project. Not all residents were in favour of the History House proposal and were opposed to the Council taking out a loan of $20,000 for the project. Despite the opposition from the Ratepayers Association the funds were raised . The Historical society raised $10,000 the remainder being donated by the local Apex and Rotary Clubs and local school children. The Museum ended up costing $30,050, $50 over budget.

History House opened on Anzac Day 1976. Approximately 1000 people attended. Margaret Bettenay was appointed the inaugural curator a role she held to 2002. History House Museum became only the second purpose built community muse in the metropolitan area.

For many year the AKHS ran the museum, putting on a variety of displays as well as holding a variety of events. In the early 2000's due to an aging and falling membership and rising costs the AKHS approached the City of Armadale regarding taking over the ownership and management of the museum. In 2001 the City established the History House Management Committee and employed the first paid curator to work at the museum. In 2003 the AKHS folded meaning the City gained full management of the museum.