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.
Do You Know That...
Murray Bend - part of Ravenswood town, was originally part of the Murray Location 14 which was taken up by Richard Goldsmith Meares in 1834, just 5 years after the Swan River Settlement in 1829. Loc. 14 was purchased by Alexander and James Adam in 1876 and has since been farmed by 4 generations of the Adam family.
The area was known as “The Bend” because of the large bend in the Murray River adjoining the Mandurah road, now the Pinjarra road. The only residences in the area were the Cooper residence, “Yangee”, built by Mary Ann and Rosa Cooper in the late 1800’s, and the Adam residence built in 1907 at a cost of 76 pounds.
In 1941, during World War 2, a large army engineer’s camp was located on the site and a number of pontoon bridges were built across the river, used for vehicle crossings, and then dismantled and rebuilt again and again. After the war the area became a popular camping, swimming and fishing site.
And, if you haven’t yet had a chance to visit, perhaps you would like to see the
Photographic Display – at the Old Schoolmaster’s House
Visit us to view photos and stories of:
- the former timber towns of the Dwellingup / Dandalup regions: Holyoake, Banksiadale, Marrinup and Whittaker’s Mill.
- the history and evolution of the Exchange Hotel
- the history and restoration of the St John’s Church
- the history and re-use of the Pinjarra Courthouse
and many other photos and documents of the rich history of the Murray District.
AGM - Wednesday, 28th August – 7pm – 9pm held at Murray Library, Pinjarra.
Guest Speaker, Richard Offen (Historian, Author and Broadcaster)
This was the 11th Annual General Meeting, the commencement of a new financial year, a re-vitalised committee and interesting activities for all. Robert Nicholson AO, President of the Royal WA Historical Society joined us and addressed the meeting. Guest speaker, Richard Offen, spoke on the subject: ‘Don’t Let Them Do It Again! - A Look at the Changing Attitudes to the Demolition of Historic Buildings.’
Information from our AGM being held on 28th August will feature in the October issue of the Murray Community News.
Copies of the Murray Districts Historical Society Calendar of Events for the remainder of 2019 are available at the Old Schoolmaster’s House and in the Pinjarrah Room, Edenvale Homestead.
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