Museum

Local Heritage (Gladstone Region)

The Gladstone Region has a long and interesting history.  From humble beginnings to remarkable advancements in industrial infrastructure, the Region is well known for its fluctuating 'Booms and Busts'. The Waves of Settlement booklets were collated and document significant stages in the Region's history.

SOCIAL HISTORY MUSEUM & HeRITAGE Collection

The Gallery & Museum is a social history museum that houses an extensive Heritage Collection. Included in the collection are articles and photographs of cultural significance to the Gladstone Region. For more on this, visit the Collection page.

The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum is continually adding new pieces to the Heritage Collection. If you have an item/s that you feel may be of value to the Collection please visit the Contact Us page to organise meeting with the Curator or Heritage Officer to discuss donating options. 

History of the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum

The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum is housed in the converted Heritage Listed Gladstone Town Hall building. Designed by Rockhampton architect, Roy Chipps, the Town Hall building was modified during construction to become a community hall and theatre.  Officially opened 15 September 1934, the Town Hall hosted a variety of activities including flower shows, boxing matches, debutante balls, movies, immunization clinics, amateur dramatics and weddings for over forty years.

The Town Hall was converted into the Art Gallery & Museum and was re-opened in April 1985, after a purpose built Council Chambers and Entertainment Centre were built further along Goondoon Street. The building underwent further internal changes, such as the addition of a goods lift and an internal staircase in 1998.

The most recent extension was in 2003, when building designer Brett Hudson of Peddle Thorp Architects, added the 200sqm O'Connell Wing which included a purpose-built gallery space, a workshop studio, administration offices and an open air courtyard.  A glass bridge walkway connects the two buildings and was built to especially accommodate the 19th-century marble statue of the region's namesake, William Ewart Gladstone.  The glass walkway offers Goondoon Street passers-by the opportunity to view the monument 24 hours a day.  Local artist Margaret Worthington's aluminium and steel installation 41^o24'12.2"N     2^o10'26.5"E, inspired by the harbour and shipping charts of Port Curtis, gives a dramatic emphasis to the facade of the new wing.

For more information about the Heritage Listed Gladstone Town Hall building and the region's namesake, William Ewart Gladstone, visit the Education page of this site. If you would like to speak with a staff member about the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum, visit the Contact Us page to organise a meeting with the Heritage Officer or Education Officer.