Welcome to the Bellarine Historical Society.

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 history research on request.

Coming Event - Special Public Open Day 

Salute to the Old Mill, Portarlington, 20 April 2025 at the Museum.

The old Portarlington Steam Flour Mill has been closed to the public since 2020 and was recently sold. We have obtained a number of objects from its collection including a large photo dating from it heyday in the 1870s, story boards and various artefacts. This event will involve special one-off exhibits of these objects and a talk on the tumultuous history of the Mill. Refreshments will be available. Opening Hours 10.30 am to 4.00 pm. All welcome.

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

About Us Contact Us

Getting There

There is adequate car parking nearby and the bus stop is 20 metres away in High Street, Drysdale. We now have an All Abilities Ramp access at the rear door near the carpark.

Opening Hours
 Open on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each Month until the end of May. To visit at other times, contact us on our email address info@bellarinehistory.org to arrange a visit or submit a query. 

Some of the Museum’s collection are…

  • Rare Books
  • Historical images
  • Church records
  • Pioneering material including farming tools
Townships covered by the Society

Barwon Heads, Mannerim, Clifton Springs, Marcus Hill, Portarlington,  Moolap, Curlewis, Murradoc, St Leonards, Drysdale, Wallington, Leopold, Ocean Grove.

Publications Research
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