Broome Historical Society and Museum, Broome, Western Australia

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Broome Historical Society and Museum, Broome, Western Australia

• Broome Historical Museum, Broome, Western Australia

• Community

The Broome Historical Society was founded in 1975. The Society hoped their presence would preserve and protect historical items that belonged in Broome and were in danger of being removed from Broome or discarded.

The society’s first display was held during the Shinju Matsuri Festival in 1975 and by 1977 the collection had grown to require a display space. The Old Lockup in Chinatown was offered and the Society began operating a museum. This small space was quickly outgrown and in 1980 the Old Custom’s House became available. The Broome Historical Museum was officially opened in 1981.

Since then the society's collection has grown to spread over three buildings in the Heritage Precinct, including the historic Sailmaker’s Shed, which was awarded a Western Australian Heritage Award and a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Commendation in 2013.

Broome is a pearling and tourist town in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, on the Indian Ocean.

Officer in charge: President

The history of Broome including its pearling industry, the lives of the people who make up its multicultural community and its significance as a bombed town during World War II.

• Local Pearling Businesses: Ledger and employment records, 1890s-1950s.
• Sub-Collector of Customs, Broome: Records of imported pearling crews, 1910-1975.
• The West Australian: News articles on Broome, 1950s-1991.
• Fisheries Department WA: Register of Pearling Divers and Crew, 1912-1940s.
• Jean Haynes (nee Kennedy): Family Albums and Mementoes, 1905-1987.

• Many photographs have been digitised and can be viewed on the society's website.
• Reference guide to Broome Pearling Masters with listing of their luggers, 1913-1941, 1947-1970.
• Reference guide to Lugger Records for Broome, 1913-1941, 1947-1970.

Museum:

• May-September: Monday to Friday: 10am-4pm; Weekends: 10am-1pm
• October-April: 10am-1pm everyday.

Collections research: For those wishing to access records, please contact the society to make arrangements.

General reference assistance available. For further information, see https://broomemuseum.org.au/research/

Copying services available.

• Immigration (Thematic area)
• Industry, Manufacturing and Commerce (Thematic area)
• Labour (Thematic area)
• Local Studies (Thematic area)
• Social Organisations and Activities (Thematic area)