Cultural Collection

Glenelg Shire Council is custodian of over 10,000 items valued at over $6 million and manages the presentation and preservation of this treasured cultural collection on behalf of the community.
Under the ARTefacts banner, exhibitions of the collection help to facilitate ongoing understanding of and connection to the region’s history, environment and people.
The unique collection contains quirky objects, photographs and records relating to the social, maritime and civic history of the Shire, some of which are of state-wide and national significance.
We encourage you to visit the wondrous curated features of the Cultural Collection on regular display at many places and spaces in the Shire.

History House, Portland
The museum display documents the European settlement of Portland from 1834 covering such themes as the original inhabitants, discovery, settlement, surveying the town, immigration, the Henty family, Mary MacKillop, defending Portland, and significant events in the region’s history. Centrepiece of the museum is Edward Henty’s plough which was used to turn the first sod of soil in Victoria in 1834. The display also includes changing thematic displays drawn from the Cultural Collection and other local public and private collections.
History House
Cliff Street, Portland
Open daily 10.00am – 12.00 noon, 1.00pm – 4.00pm
except Good Friday and Christmas Day
Admission: Adult $3.00
Pensioner/Child/Student $2.00
School groups 50c per student

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A range of documents are available for download in the links below.

The South West Guns and Cannon Brochure will also be available in due course.

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Bert Vivian (1893-1974) was a second generation Portland saddler. His father William had operated a saddlery in Rosebery in the Victorian Mallee before relocating to Portland in the late 19th century. Bert began work as a saddler at W. H. Vivian, at 58-60 Percy Street Portland, continuing in the business after his father’s death in 1928. The exhibition includes saddlery and leatherwork tools, photographs and other items belonging to Bert Vivian. These items were donated to the Cultural Collection by Bert’s daughter, Miss Betty Vivian, in 2012.

History House - Cliff Street, Portland
16 July 2019 – 20 March 2020
10.00am – 12.00noon and 1.00pm – 4.00pm
(except Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Adult $3.00
Concession $2.00