City of Gosnells Museum - Wilkinson Homestead
About
About
About organisation
The City of Gosnells Museum collection is housed in the State Heritage listed Wilkinson Homestead located on the beautiful banks of the Djarlgarro Beelier - Canning River. The Noongar people continue to identify with the Djarlgarro Beelier as being of spiritual significance, being created by the Waugal, a serpent-like spirit who was responsible for the creation of all the rivers, waterholes, lakes, valleys on its journey from inland Western Australia to the ocean. The Beeliar and Beeloo moort (families) have gathered here for thousands of years. In more recent years, people have come here from all over the world. Over 155 languages are now spoken in the City of Gosnells.
The site of the Museum has an interesting history that includes early European settlement, and the district's agricultural development. The Museum property and adjacent park are part of the 1829 land grant to pioneer John Okey Davis. The homestead, built in 1912, is on one of the largest citrus producing properties in early twentieth century Western Australia. Replica buildings, including the machinery shed, pan toilet (dunny) and washhouse reflect life from that time.
The City of Gosnells acknowledges the Whadjuk Noongar people, who are the traditional custodians of this land. We pay respect to their culture, history and their Elders past and present.
Collection
Collection
Collection overview
The City of Gosnells Museum collects and preserves historical material that relates to all suburbs within the City’s boundaries. These suburbs include Beckenham, Canning Vale (in part), Gosnells, Huntingdale, Kenwick, Langford, Maddington, Martin, Orange Grove, Southern River and Thornlie.
The Museum's social history collection has approximately 3000 items and includes textiles, farm machinery, photographs, works of art, ephemera, and personal and domestic items. Research requests and enquiries are welcome.
The Museum actively collects items that tell the story of the City of Gosnells, the people, places and organisations that have helped to build the community that exists today. Donations that have clear provenance to the area are welcome. Please contact the Museum to discuss potential offers of donations.
Collections
All Items (75 items)
- Canning and Southern Rivers (18 items)
- Gosnells Oral Histories (11 items)
- John Gosnell & Co. Ltd. - makers of perfumes and cosmetics (12 items)
- Wilkinson Collection (24 items)
Records about the City of Gosnells dating back to the 1800s are available for research at the Local History Collection, located at the Knowledge Centre. The contents of this collection are primarily associated with the area now covered by the Gosnells municipality, and the people who have lived here.
The City has a substantial and valuable collection of historic photographs dating back to the 1870s.
Contact
Contact
Contact information
34 Homestead Road
Gosnells WA 6110
Australia
Visit
Visit
Visit information
34 Homestead Road
Gosnells WA 6110
Australia
Entry is free.
The Museum can accommodate people with special needs. Please contact Heritage Services staff on 9397 3144 to discuss requirements.
The Museum is an attractive site for schools and other group visits and is available outside normal opening hours by request. There are also educational History Boxes for schools for loan and contain a variety of historical artifacts. Contact Heritage Services staff on 9397 3144 to find out more.
The City of Gosnells Museum regularly holds events and activities. Please see our website for further details.
| Day | Time slot | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Mon: | Closed | |
| Tue: | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm | |
| Wed: | Closed | |
| Thu: | Closed | |
| Fri: | Closed | |
| Sat: | Closed | |
| Sun: | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm |
