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 the Drysdale Court House Museum 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

 Historical Society celebrates 50 years.

The Bellarine Historical Society was formed on 11 June 1976 and took possession of the building. Since then, successive committees have worked diligently to transform it into a community-based Museum which showcases the history of the Bellarine Peninsula. The main hall holds a number of semi-permanent exhibitions and a series of posters outlining the history of Bellarine. It is also used for monthly talks on aspects of local history. The magistrates’ room has been turned into a research resource room. The Shire Committee room was left as a monument to the old Council for many years but now hosts an exhibition, Life in the Bellarine. There is a display of old farming machinery around the Hall, and the old shed is currently being transformed into a new exhibition space. The Museum is open to the public on Sunday mornings.

2026 marks the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Historical Society. This milestone will be marked by a series of special events, all of which will be open to the Public. The first tranche of events includes a display at the Bellarine Agricultural Show, a talk on the 26 April on picnicking in the early days of motoring and a documentary film recording the life of local identities Howard and Mavis Willey, Australia’s oldest living couple to be held at the Springdale Neighbourhood Centre on the 6th May. A display of old photographs of schools, hotels and trains will be held in the Boronggook library in May. There will also be a ‘Songs and Scones’ event in July. Two picture books are being prepared. One features photos showing the history of the Bellarine to complement the poster display. The other features sketches of some of the lovely old cottages in Bellarine towns.

  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 and make an appointment.

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.

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