Melrose Courthouse Museum

Melrose Courthouse Museum

The complex is comprised of a stone courthouse, police station, police horse stables and original lock-up. Established in 1848, it played an important role in the development of the district. Exhibitions are also displayed in two modern buildings on site.

Address: 
Stuart Street, Melrose, SA
Tel: 
0886662141
Hours: 
2-5pm Daily or by appointment. Closed Wednesdays
Admission: 
Adults $3, Pensioners $2.00 and Children $1, Family $8
Facilities: 
Postcards, history books, brochures available, guided tour on request, family historical research available.
Collection: 
The early police and judiciary are the main themes of our museum exhibition, supported by displays dealing with early settlement in the area. We also have extensive historic photographic and paper (documents etc) collections.

Items

Wheel

Grinding Wheel

Grinding Wheel
Creator:
May be local
Description:
Well made grinding wheel, stones carefully fitted
Date:
C1850
Item Id Number:
93.6

Original grindstone used at "Glenorchy" Bangor. Home of the pioneer Campbell family C.1855.

Machine

Bottling Machine

Bottling Machine
Creator:
M.Bickford and Son, Adelaide, South Australia
Description:
Bottling machine made from stainless steel, iron, glass and mesh. Pressure gauge attached. Two bottle filling capacity
Date:
1877-1934
Item Id Number:
339

Used by Jacka Brewery in Melrose from 1877-1934 until the company closed

Book

Moorhouse Diary

Moorhouse Diary
Creator:
Unknown
Description:
Large leather bound journal - tan velour cover, scroll edging, brass lock, embossed in gold on centre of cover "J.Moorhouse Private 1879".
Date:
1879-1923
Item Id Number:
282

Used by James Moorhouse as a journal, diary and scrapbook between 1879-1923. Some entries dated 1858 but copied from elsewhere

Chair

Clerk's Chair

Clerk's Chair
Creator:
Unknown
Description:
Wooden chair, back legs shortened to fit in courtroom, turned front legs
Date:
1857-1967
Item Id Number:
34

Used at a Melrose Courthouse from 1857-1967. Used at Melrose Courthouse from 1857 - June 1st, 1967

Badge

Police Badge

Police Badge
Creator:
Unknown
Description:
A chrome plated badge dating back to Queen Victoria's era. Worn on police cap or helmet.
Date:
Late 1800's
Item Id Number:
93a

This badge was possibly used at the Melrose Police Station between 1864-1967