THE Museum of Tropical Queensland, in partnership with the Townsville Museum and Historical Society, is opening a new photographic display focusing on Townsville’s first 50 years of settlement on Monday, December 1.
Townsville, the First 50 Years is part of Townsville’s 150th anniversary celebrations and will be the first of a series of displays at the Museum of Tropical Queensland revealing different parts of Townsville’s colourful history.
Museum of Tropical Queensland Director Peter McLeod said the partnership with the Townsville Museum and Historical Society was an important one that would bring significant knowledge and access to unique collections into the Flinders Street Museum.
“Townsville, the First 50 Years highlights just how quickly our city grew in those first years and we’re looking forward to revealing more of our city’s early history over the coming year,” Mr McLeod said.
Townsville Museum and Historical Society President Trish Cronin said this is the first time Townsville Museum has done an exhibition outside its premises in Currajong.
“The Townsville 150th celebrations are a significant time for Townsville Museum and we wanted to reach out to both the local community and visitors to our city and showcase some of the oldest photographs in our collection,” Ms Cronin said.
Included in the exhibition is a photograph from the 1880s of Townsville’s first gaol located in North Ward. The Warden’s Office is still standing and is part of Central State School.
Also featured is a photograph from 1903 showing how Townsville “dressed-up” Flinders Street with a celebration arch and banners to welcome the Governor of Queensland, Sir Herbert Charles Chermside, who visited Townsville after Cyclone Leonta.
Townsville, the First 50 Years runs until February 27, 2015.
Visit mtq.qm.qld.gov.au for more information.
