history
SUBIACO’S PAST BROUGHT TO LIFE Visitors and locals alike may not realise that Subiaco has its very own museum – but it is well worth a visit. WORDS | Brooke Evans-Butler THE SUBIACO MUSEUM is a beautiful Federation-style building, located at the corner of Rokeby and Bagot roads and looked after by the City of Subiaco. The museum houses many pieces of Subiaco’s history – but the building has quite a history of its own. Originally built in 1911 for the local Board of Health, the building was later used as the No 2 substation for the Subiaco Electric Light Supply. In 1923, the offices were converted into one of three sub-stations for power distribution. From the 1950s to the 1970s, the building was used as a community meeting place and for storage. It was in 1975 that the Subiaco Historical Society converted the building into a museum – and Subiaco Museum was officially opened by Miss Chugg and Miss Daglish – the descendants of two of 40
SUBIACO: EAT DRINK SHOP
Subiaco’s pioneering families.
What to expect “We get a lot of passers-by who walk in for a look because they didn’t realise the museum was here,” Subiaco Mayor Penny Taylor said. “It is popular with Subiaco locals or former residents and we get many people who come back multiple times because the displays are changed regularly.” If you haven’t been to the museum before, you will find there is plenty to discover in this hidden gem. There are over 12,000 items in the museum’s collection, with only a small amount on display at any one time – and the vast majority are items donated by Subiaco residents. The Jualbup Gallery is dedicated to domestic and school life, which
features old prams, school desks and other collective items. Here you will also find a life-size leadlight door and house façade. There is a display of early childhood toys, which is very popular with the students who come to the museum on school excursions. The selection of old toys includes dolls, wooden toys and spinning tops, which are out on display and available for interaction with children. There is also a gallery dedicated to community art, which changes ever four months, with photographs by local resident Denny Roberts currently on display. A special part of the museum’s collection is the library of oral histories, with many long-term Subiaco residents recording their stories for the archive.
