The Margaret River and District Historical Society (MRDHS) began around 20 years ago and is dedicated to collecting, preserving and cataloguing the local history of Margaret River and surrounding districts. The MRDHS centres around the 1925 Bramley School building on the banks of the Margaret River (pictured above) and has up to 30 members plus volunteers.
The Bramley School contains historical school paraphernalia, many local photographs and changing displays. In 2015, after many years of restoration work by MRDHS members and volunteers, another Group Settlement building, a “Groupie” house, was officially opened and operates as a museum.
The museum holds a collection of Group Settlement artefacts, dating from between 1921-1935 and is surrounded by farming implements, blacksmith tools, renovated spring carts and an old dairy and milk shed that were used during the same period.
Both of these buildings offer an insight into the history of early life in the district during the early 1920’s and the families that once lived and worked the land.
The MRDHS team is also involved in organising community events such as various fundraisers, demonstrations of pioneer skills in the Group Settlement house and promotional displays at the annual Margaret River Show. Opening hours are Tuesday/Thursday 10-3pm& Sat/Sun 10-3pm in Summer and Thur 2-4pm & Sat/Sun 10-3pm in winter.
The MRDHS meets monthly at 2.30pm on the 4th Thursday of each month at the Old Bramley School building, situated on the banks of the Margaret River at The Old Settlement, Bussell Highway Margaret River. Publications include the MRDHS pamphlet, Margaret River Stories compiled by G. Jennings & Light of the Leeuwin by G. Creswell
