The Augusta Historical Museum was established in 1979 to preserve and share the town’s history.
It is a treasure trove of historical artifacts that paint a colourful picture of Augusta’s early years. From shipwrecks to fires and whale rescues, Augusta has a fascinating history to tell. Believed to have been named after Princess Augusta (second daughter of George III of England), Augusta is the third oldest European settlement in Western Australia. It was founded in May 1830 by a group of settlers that included the Turner and Bussell families and Georgiana and Captain John Molloy. They were brought to Augusta by Lieutenant Governor James Stirling on the Emily Taylor. At the time there were no longer any land grants available around the Swan River Settlement. Conditions were harsh for the settlers − they had no knowledge of the environment and could not communicate with the local Aboriginals. Some only stayed a short time but others persevered. The 1920s brought the “Groupies”. The Group Settlement Scheme was established to open up the South West to more people and to create employment for the returning servicemen of the Great War. As with many towns, Augusta has had its up and downs and sometimes struggled to survive. Discover more of the history of the coastal town at the Augusta Historical Museum. |
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