Tweed Historical Society Inc - Tweed Heads
Direct Phone Number : (07) 5536 8625
Return to Tweed Heads
The Museum complex consists of four buildings. The Old Tweed Heads Court House is the Headquarters of the Tweed Heads Historical Society Inc., custodians of the Tweed Maritime Museum. As well as housing the historical records of the Society (which are available for research), the building contains a fine collection of historical photographs depicting the early Tweed settlements, beach and country scenes, shipping, pioneer families and commerce.
Close by is the Old Soldiers Hall, once the home of the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub branch and now housing the Museum's artefact collection.
Notable amongst these are a memorial exhibit commemorating the sinking of the Australian hospital ship, "Centaur" in 1943, photographs and a video production of the tragedy and the official opening of a memorial at Point Danger. The Centaur was sunk by a Japanese submarine off Stradbroke Island in 1943.
A Diorama of Fingal Lighthouse and cottage, as it looked in the early 1900s. The actual lighthouse was built in 1879 and is still in working order.
A large illuminated map of the world showing the voyages of Captain Cook. Each voyage can be highlighted by pressing a button.
Models of sailing ships include John Oxley’s mermaid, the old Tweed tug Terranora and the schooner Gwendoline that traded to the Tweed in the 1890s. Famous vessels such as the Cutty Sark and the Bounty are also featured.
A Heritage display features articles once in general use about the home or village but are now largely forgotten. This display is changed regularly.
A lifesavers surf reel. Once a standard piece of equipment used in the rescuing swimmers, the reel has been replaced by the motorised rubber ducky.
Boyd's fishing shed, which has been restored and relocated to the museum grounds. It houses memorabilia relating to the Boyd family of fishermen. It was built in 1907.
A Deckhouse built about 1870. It was once used as additional quarters aboard ship and could be moved between vessels as required.
