WELCOME TO THE DRYSDALE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM, HOME OF THE BELLARINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Founded in 1976, the Bellarine Historical Society  operates from the Court House Museum, 11 High Street, Drysdale, 3222. The Society aims to display and preserve artefacts that are pertinent to the Bellarine Peninsula. It also provides a reference resource for local history and family histories relevant to the Bellarine. We have a large collection of local history books for sale, written by our members. We undertake family and local history research on request.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: 

To collect and exhibit in Drysdale Court House Museum the material that is relevant to the Bellarine District. 

Online Tour of the Collection.

To see what the museum Collection holds . Watch this informative youtube clip.  

Watch this video for more details on our holdings https://youtu.be/seJqsGT1D2U

  Recent acquisition

It’s not often that we have a donation that. Is on the border of our collection development policy. The book, “The window collection” photographs by Rose and Emma Windmill. Emma and Rose were the offspring of Josiah and Alice Windmill. Josiah the  son of a bookmaker was born to a leather tanner in Geelong, Victoria. In 1888 his established his own tannery called Riversdale.

The sisters photographed various buildings in Geelong, some of which are still standing. The photographs are the works of two women taken without pretence to art or social commentary.  The sisters never married and lived all their lives in their parent’s house in Geelong.

The windmill Collection: photographs by Rose &Emma Windmill.

Edited by Peter Elliston.

Coming Events -

As a result of our volunteer drive we are able to open every Sunday until Easter 2026. While the front of house volunteers will make you welcome, they can  offer limited service. You will need to email us if you have an indepth query. Alternatively you can fill out the research request form with as much information as possible.

This year, 2026 the historical society will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. We are currently organising an interesting program, please check our Facebook page for more information.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

We would like to build on our volunteer bank, If you are interested in volunteering  please contact Ann on 0411 248 145 for more information.

To see what the museum Collection holds . Watch this informative youtube clip.  

Watch this video for more details on our holdings https://youtu.be/seJqsGT1D2U

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