| The collection holds more than 12,000 items, including artefacts, photographs, oral history tapes and documents. Categories include business, domestic, fashion, education, convict history and clothing.
Freshwater Bay Museum's main exhibitions are housed in a preserved nineteenth century schoolhouse. The schoolroom provides a glimpse into the colonial education system, c1862. Behind the teacher's room where we present changing exhibitions, the washhouse contains the original copper, a mangle and other traditional domestic equipment. Text panels throughout the museum provide insight into the settlement of the region and traditional practices of past eras.
A display of early Claremont shops includes the barber, cobbler, dressmaker, photography studio and a toy shop. Special exhibitions are changed periodically and address a variety of topics in history, science and the arts.
HISTORIC BOATSHED
Our Historic Boatshed was constructed on the Swan River, Claremont in 1910 to build river craft and pearling luggers. Later the shed was used for general boat repairs and maintenance of a fleet of hire craft. Now relocated to the museum site, this original shed contains over 600 pieces of associated equipment and a clinker-built dinghy.
CLAREMONT SIGNAL CABIN
The Claremont Signal Cabin occupies a unique place in the history of the local community, the State's development and the nation's transport history.
The cabin played a vital role in the workings of the Perth-Fremantle line between 1906 and its close in 1989, and stands today as the only original signal cabin on this busy railway.
When the obsolete cabin closed in 1989 with electrification of the line, it was originally listed for demolition. It was saved thanks to strong local support from interested individuals, the Town of Claremont, heritage groups and others. State Government, National Heritage and local funds have enabled a restoration programme, which was completed with Westrail's cooperation in 1992.
The cabin is in its original location at the Claremont Railway Station. It is open to the public from 10:00am to 4:00pm on the first Saturday of every month.
For more information please contact the Freshwater Bay Museum, or visit the Cabin's website at: http://www.sigwa.info/index.html
VOLUNTEERS
Freshwater Bay Museum volunteers provide a variety of services to the Museum including collection management, conservation, education and historical research.
Please contact the Museum if you are interested in joining our volunteer team.
FRIENDS OF FRESHWATER BAY MUSEUM
Friends of Freshwater Bay Museum arrange lectures and other social events. Their heritage walk brochures, available at the Museum, add an extra dimension to a walk around the district.
For further information regarding the Friends of Freshwater Bay Museum, you may email them at claremontmuseumfriends@gmail.com
RESEARCH
The Museum's research facility is a rich source of local information, updated weekly. Material is filed by classification, a comprehensive index providing easy access for researchers and those interested in Claremont's history. Claremont Rates books from 1903-1970 and Council Minutes from 1898-1980 are available for viewing on microfilm. Freshwater Bay Museum has an extensive collection of images and many of the photographs can be reproduced for personal use.
Claremont Street Histories, produced in partnership with Curtin University's Research Institute for Cultural Heritage, are available to purchase. Each booklet explores the history of a Claremont street in detail. EDUCATION / PUBLIC PROGRAMMES 
The Museum runs popular programmes for schools and adult groups which relate to the history of the district. We offer a comprehensive range of learning experiences which link directly to various learning areas of the curriculum, suitable for all levels of primary and secondary schools.
Our education days are Tuesdays and Thursdays. PLEASE NOTE: Bookings for the 2013 acedemic year are now closed as we have no available dates left.
Please see our information sheets on school excursion activities here: School room
Scones
Colonial Washing
Rag Rugs
Old Fashioned Games
Click on the following link for information on how to plan your excursion :
Guidelines for Planning Activities
Dept. Ed Training Excursion Policy Checklist 2013
For further details and to make a booking, please contact the Museum on (08) 9340 6982 or (08) 9340 6921
Town Centre Heritage Trail
Have you ever wondered how Old Theatre Lane got its name?
Do you know where Wing Hei's Laundry was?
Or where the convicts building the road from Perth to Fremantle obtained drinking water?
Download the Town Centre Heritage Trail and follow the bronze plaques in the footpath to find out. |