MURRAY DISTRICTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Located at the Old Schoolmaster's House, Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra.
Opening hours from 11am to 3pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
MARCH Diary
Saturday 14th March at 10.30am – meeting of the Peel Chapter of the WA Branch of Museums and Galleries Australia (AMaGA)
The Murray Districts Historical Society will host the Meeting and Lunch and there will be a
presentation focussing on St John’s Church and some of the people who shaped its early history.
Highlight: A Tour of St John’s Church included.
For further information, please contact our Secretary, Dawn Hodgkinson, by email: led.zep@live.com.au or President, Penny Hoffman, on 0407 422 771
Do You Know That?
Last month we introduced you to the Pinjarra Heritage Trail and the Pinjarra Court House.
Today we move north along the main street to 6 George Street and introduce you to a lovely old home, constructed in 1932 for the Adam sisters, Clara and Constance. Clara Adam lived in this house, mostly referred to as ‘Miss Adam’s House’ until her death in 1961. During the 1940’s and 50’s, many school teachers (all female) boarded in the house which sits in a beautiful location opposite Edenvale Homestead and adjacent to Cantwell Park beside the Murray River. In the photo below, taken c.1935, the garden is testament to Miss Adam's love of roses. She also was renowned for her care of the roses / garden within the graveyard of St John's Church
The house has had many tenants during the past decades but today it is home to the RDA (Regional Development Authority). The house has been lovingly restored and is sporting a beautiful new white picket fence constructed by members of the Pinjarra Men’s Shed. Photos that hang in the entrance of the house have been supplied by the Historical Society with thanks to the Adam family. This is another example of a wonderful heritage building restored and maintained in Pinjarra.
Maps of the Pinjarra Heritage Trail are available at the Old Schoolmaster’s House and throughout the Edenvale Precinct.
Below is a charming photo of Miss Clara Adam with her niece Elsie Logue (nee Adam), pictured during a visit to (Murray Street), Perth in the 1950’s.
A Brief History of Settlement along the Murray River (the first decade)
* Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Binjareb tribe of the Bibbulmun Nation.
* In 1829 two Europeans, Lieutenant Preston and Dr Alexander Collie, explored the Murray River district.
* In 1830 Thomas Peel established a settlement at the mouth of the Murray River.
* By 1834 the area around Pinjarra was known as rich grazing land with good grasses and rich loam soils.
* In 1836 a military post was established where the present town now stands.
* It was built because the settlers feared reprisals for the infamous Pinjarra massacre which occurred in October 1834.
* Shortly afterwards a Townsite was laid out and by 1838 Pinjarra was connected by road to the settlement at Bunbury.
* By the 1840s Pinjarra had become the social and economic centre of the Murray River settlement.
Follow our monthly articles in the Community Newspaper for more information about the history of Pinjarra and the heritage buildings of the Murray District.
In the meantime, look at our Website murrayhistory.org.au/home for more information.
Do you have an interest in the history of Pinjarra and the Murray Districts?
We are always looking for more volunteers to assist with the opening hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm and with our various projects.
If you would like to become one of our volunteers, please advise
Jill on 0408 846 567 or by email alanjill37@hotmail.com
For information about the Murray Districts Historical Society, its membership and its activities, please visit us at Edenvale during opening hours or contact Dawn Hodgkinson, Secretary by email led.zep@live.com.au