Thornlie, Gosnells, Canning River, Perth, WA
City of Gosnells Museum - Wilkinson Homestead
The City of Gosnells Museum - Wilkinson Homestead (formerly known as Orange Tree Farm) is a local history museum located in a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. The Wilkinson Homestead, built in 1912, is the main museum building and is State Heritage Listed. The Wilkinson Family established a citrus orchard which became one of the largest in Western Australia. The collection and displays reflect the life of earlier times, including domestic life and agriculture. Hands-on education programs are presented by the volunteers who support staff in the work of the Museum.
The neighbouring park is named for John Okey Davis - a local pioneer who arrived from England in 1829. Charles Gosnells, director of a large London perfume and toiletries company, whose well-known products were used by English royalty and sold around the world, invested in the property in 1862. When subdivision of the land took place in 1903, the area became known as Gosnell's estate. The City takes its name from this development.
Address:
Homestead Road, Gosnells, WA
Tel:
0894901575
Hours:
Wednesday 10:00am - 2:00pm, Sunday 2:00pm - 5:00pm. Group visits and researchers by appointment.
Website:
Email:
Admission:
Adult $1.10, Concession $0.55, Family $2.20, School group $3.50
Facilities:
Tours, Educational Programs, Brochure
Collection:
There are approximately 3,000 items in the Museum's collection. These include textiles, farm machinery, works of art and domestic items. The large collection of photographs depict local scenes and people.
Items
Photograph
Thornlie Homestead
Creator:
Unknown
Description:
The property that became known as Thornlie was part of the land grant issued to Captain Thomas Bannister in 1829. Walter Padbury, successful pastoralist, businessman and trader, purchased the property in 1883 using it as an experimental farm. Padbury and his wife Charlotte had no children; Padbury organised for the property to be managed by his niece Amy (Ougden) and her husband Frank James. It continued as an experimental farm with James trying various strains of wheat, oats and vegetables. The property name came from a business house in Madras run by Frank James' grandfather. Amy and James, having wide experience on farms proved to be competent, hardworking managers. Padbury constructed a homestead on an attractive site near the Canning River. Brusher Lewis built the house from clay dug from pits on the property and lime mortar, supplied from nearly Marl Hill. Other materials for the beams, floors and shingle roof were sourced form the property. The land later became the Perth suburb of Thornlie with Bannister Road as one of its streets. (Source: 'The Gosnells Story', McDonald and Cooper, 1988)
Date:
c1925
Item Id Number:
P1999.1559b
Painting
Kenwick Brickworks
Creator:
Eileen Kohler
Description:
Oil on canvas. The painting depicts the Kenwick Brickworks c 1925 . The brickworks no longer exist, but were located on the Albany Highway and manufactured bricks used in local architecture. The artist, Eileen Kohler was the wife of Edward F Kohler, a sculptor whose works include the equestrian statue of King George V located outside the Brisbane Town Hall, the General Hobbs Statue on the Perth Esplanade and a number of other commemorative sculptures and architectural decorations. The Kohlers moved to Gosnells in 1952. Eileen died in 1991. Their daughter Kathleen is a practising sculptor.
Date:
c1925
Item Id Number:
2000.1
Gosnells
Truck
GMC Truck
Creator:
General Motors
Description:
This GMC truck was owned and used by the Packer Family on their property located on the banks of the Canning River in the City of Gosnells, WA. The property was established in 1905 by market gardener Henry Packer, his wife Edith and brother-in-law Frederick Hersey. From 1907 the farm became known for its high quality vegetables with numerous prizes gained at the Perth Royal Show. The truck transported produce to the Metropolitan Market in Perth.
Date:
c1930
Item Id Number:
1997.83
Gosnells, WA, Perth
Fruit Grader
Fruit Grader for Oranges
Creator:
Lightning Brand
Description:
This grader was owned as used by James Chisholm Carson at Fairfield Orchard, Gosnells for sorting oranges. The property, bought in 1933, featured up to 700 trees and the machine operated there until the early 1990s. The machine was one of a limited number available to orchardists in the district and said to be the first of its kind in Gosnells. This limit was due to post-WWII material shortages.
The Carson family chose to buy the machine rather than a new house at a cost of approximately 800 pounds. The grader was a great advancement on hand or other simple methods of sorting oranges. The unusual 'L' shape construction of the machine was to suit the owner's shed. The Museum organised the removal of the grader from the property in the 1990s. Restoration of the machine was a Museum project completed in 1997 and was carried out by local Don Ibbs, who passed away shortly after. The machine is currently used for demonstration purposes for tour groups and is a highlight in the Museum's educational programs.
The Carson family chose to buy the machine rather than a new house at a cost of approximately 800 pounds. The grader was a great advancement on hand or other simple methods of sorting oranges. The unusual 'L' shape construction of the machine was to suit the owner's shed. The Museum organised the removal of the grader from the property in the 1990s. Restoration of the machine was a Museum project completed in 1997 and was carried out by local Don Ibbs, who passed away shortly after. The machine is currently used for demonstration purposes for tour groups and is a highlight in the Museum's educational programs.
Date:
1947
Item Id Number:
2001.21
Fairfield Orchard, Gosnells, WA