The Margaret River and District Historical Society (MRDHS) is dedicated to collecting, preserving and cataloguing the local history of Margaret River and surrounds.

About the historical society

The Margaret River and District Historical Society (MRDHS) began around 30 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 and has around 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.

Old Settlement

The Old Settlement 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.

Location and opening hours

The Margaret River & Districts Historical Society is located at The Old Settlement, 69 Bussell Highway, Margaret River. Access to the Historical Society is through Higgins Street. 

Opening hours are:

Tuesday 10am - 12.30pm
Thursday 1.30pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 1pm


School visits

Schools and groups are welcome by appointment. Students can experience how the early settlers lived in the area and will be shown around the old settlement by volunteers. Students will have the chance to participate in everyday tasks and visit the classroom in the old school. To book, please contact Margaret River Historical Society Secretary Shelley Wightman on 0439 508 844 or submit an online enquiry



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