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Museum collection

There are more than 12,000 physical items in the Subiaco Museum's collection. About 5 per cent are on display at any one time, with many more in safe storage.

The museum's collection comprises of donations from residents and former residents of Subiaco, as well as acquisitions by the City. Items in storage may be viewed by the public upon request. Item retrieval can take up to ten working days.

Digital Collection

Subiaco Museum has an ever growing digital collection available for viewing on the CollectionsWA website. The process of digitising and photographing the collections is ongoing and this digital database will continually be updated with new objects and information. 

The collection includes photographs dating from the 1890s to the present. The images are all closely related to the City of Subiaco. Photographs may be reproduced, subject to copyright conditions and a service charge.  

The museum looks after more than 5,000 objects, including tools, clothing, household items, books, furniture, and musical instruments.

More than 1,500 archival records including diaries, certificates, programs, menus, posters, maps, and plans tell the story of life in Subiaco throughout the decades. 

The museum also manages a collection of contemporary and historical artwork. There are approximately 200 works across all mediums, including works by renowned artist Shaun Tan.

The museum holds over 180 Oral Histories from people who have lived, worked or volunteered in the City of Subiaco. The recordings date back to 1983. These recordings are currently being digitised and uploaded to CollectionsWA.

Shop the collection

Subiaco Museum Shop opened it's doors in February 2023, with a collection featuring a bespoke design by artist Jane Coffey. The collection celebrates the museum and its location on Rokeby Road. 

Prints of Jane Coffey's design and tea towel prints of the museum’s Heritage Map will also be available for purchase, as well as a small collection of local history books and photographs from the museum’s collection, badges, magnets, wood blocks, brooches, pins and various other items.

Subiaco Museum Shop will be open during the museum's regular opening hours:

  • Wednesday to Friday 12pm to 4pm

  • Saturday 10am to 2pm

Donation to the collection

Through the museum, the City collects, preserves, researches, documents, stores and/or displays items detailing the natural and human history of the Subiaco area from the earliest times to the present.

If you have a photograph or an artefact you believe is significant in representing Subiaco’s rich history which you may consider donating, please contact the Coordinator Museum Services via email at city@subiaco.wa.gov.au

Donations cannot be accepted without prior authorisation from the Coordinator Museum Services. 

Donations meeting all the following criteria may be accepted:

  • the item is relevant to and consistent with the museum’s purpose of representing the natural and human history of the Subiaco area

  • the item is in a condition that contributes to the purpose of the museum

  • the museum has adequate resources to preserve, research, document, store, display and interpret the item

  • the item is not already represented in the museum’s collection

  • the item has a legal and ethical provenance. 

If your donation is approved by the Subiaco Museum, it must be accompanied by a donor acknowledgement form giving full and unencumbered ownership to the museum, without restrictions on the use or future disposition of the item. 

How do I donate to the Museum ?

Please contact the Coordinator Museum Services via email at city@subiaco.wa.gov.au prior to your visit to discuss your proposed donations and their relevance and suitability for the Subiaco Museum. Your email should include as much information as possible as well as images of the item. Museum staff may need to further assess your object for suitability for our collection and will contact you if we need more information, or if the object is unsuitable for the collection. Proposed donations are reviewed in line with our collecting guidelines and collections needs. Once the item/s are approved for acquiring, the Coordinator will arrange for you to complete an Item Receipt Form and then a Deed of Gift Donor Form that will transfer the ownership of your item to the Subiaco Museum.

Download our FAQ docment

If you are interested in providing insight and information about the City of Subiaco and how life was in the past please complete the Personal Reminiscence Donor Form.

We will add your personal reminiscence to our Oral History collection and use the information for adding detail to subjects and places in the City of Subiaco.