Long Term Exhibitions
Long Term Exhibitions
De Bernales Building
Claude De Bernales was a successful mining entrepreneur who made his fortunes on the Kalgoorlie-Boulder goldfields. In this display, the opulent Kalgoorlie and Perth office and boardrooms have been recreated in all their grandeur. Note the difference between the typical miner’s cottage – found nearby in the Museum grounds – and these elegant quarters.
- De Bernales Building
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Kalgoorlie-Boulder: Main Exhibitions
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder main gallery building explores the heritage and history of the Eastern Goldfields explaining the influence of the gold rush in transforming the region into an economic powerhouse.
In the mezzanine gallery there are numerous displays featuring artefacts, objects, photos, furniture and memorabilia to tell the stories of the goldfields. Many of the photographs on display are from the studios of pioneer Goldfields' photographers JJ Dwyer and TF Mackay.
The Museum’s underground Gold Vault features a spectacular collection of gold, jewelry and historical items. The Gold Vault also features the unique Geological Survey collection of nuggets, decorative miners’ brooches and the first gold bar refined in Kalgoorlie- Boulder. Half of the State's gold collection is housed in this vault, which is the most secure public access vault in Australia.
- A gold nugget
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
British Arms Hotel
This gallery resides in a modern building attached to the ‘British Arms’ Hotel, built in 1899. This heritage-listed hotel is said to be the narrowest pub in the Southern Hemisphere. Today it houses Dr Rout's dental surgery, historic union banners and an elegant recreation of the Cucel’s wedding breakfast.
Dr Rout’s dental surgery is a reconstruction of a dental surgery typical from the period.
The Union Banner display showcases a collection of local historic union banners that date back to the initial union actions of this mining town.
The Wedding Room is an elegant recreation of Stella and Jack Cucel’s 1910 wedding breakfast. The room gives visitors a glimpse at how early settlers to the goldfields tried to establish ‘normal’ British patterns of life in a remote and unfamiliar area.
- British Arms Hotel
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Miner’s Cottage
The miner’s cottage is a replica building that illustrates the living conditions and social lives of early goldfields settlers.
Visitors are invited to stroll through the scenic courtyard in the Museum grounds, and visit the sandalwood camp, the West Australian Bank, a miner’s cottage, the Woodline office and the Woodline Police Office rail wagon.
- Miner's Cottage
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum