Trail of the Tin Dragon
Featuring, The Chinese Experience

This installation tells the story of the Chinese who lived and worked on the NE Tasmanian tin fields.  An audio visual presentation in our theatrette relates one Chinese family’s history of that era.  Exit via the sliding door and enter the Dragon Room where local archaeological finds also convey evidence of that local history.  This exhibition comprises part of the ‘Trail of the Tin Dragon’.

Mining Display

Anchor Wheel:  This is a 1:24 scale model of the biggest water wheel built in the Southern Hemisphere used at the Anchor Tin Mine in NE Tasmania.  This is an interactive display where 20 cents will have the wheel working for you to see how the use of water assisted in the crushing of the tin ore.
Anchor Bell:  This was the original Anchor Mine bell used to tell the miners of shift change.
Poimena Diorama:  A model village built to depict the mining town of Poimena that was sited at the top of the Blue Tier escarpment during the height of tin mining in the area. 
Mineral Cabinet:  This display presents a range of metals and ores that have been found in the local area.

Early Settlement 

The Pioneer Display:  St Helens first land grant by EP Butler, Hobart was in 1834.  Farming in the area did not commence until at least 1852, with the arrival of the Treloggen family.
The Settlement Display:  This presentation covers both the Haley and Hirst collections and represents the civility of settlement in St Helens.  Such things as fine china and lace are indicative of this trend.

Maritime History

Exploration:  Major explorers are covered in this section, particularly those who helped chart and map the East Coast of Tasmania.
Georges Bay - Searoad to St Helens:  This maritime banner depicts the history of the importance of this bay to the development of the port and township of St Helens .
Boats:  A range of model boats and seacraft is represented here, including the local history of boat building in St Helens.

Hatches and Despatches 

Worship:  The oldest church near St Helens is the Union Church (1874) at Goulds Country.  The Cullenswood Church  (c1830s) in the Fingal Valley being the oldest in the district, but privately owned by the Cullenswood Estate.  Worship was important in the settlement of the district.
Despatches:  The horse drawn hearse is part of St Helens history.  It is owned by the Bailey family and takes pride of place within the St Helens History Room where places of worship were where you were ‘hatched’, ‘matched’ and ‘despatched.’

Natural History 

Forests:  A display representing the wonderful flora and fauna that can be found around St Helens.
Midden:   This section depicts the Bay of Fires and the first Tasmanians, the Aborigines, who foraged here along the beaches – giving rise to the name ‘Bay of Fires’ .
Shell Collection:  The historic ‘ward case’ houses the St Helens History Room’s shell collection.  This is all catalogued and referenced so that your beachcombing will be that much easier!

Tasmanian Aboriginal Stone Collection - luni mapali

This display showcases the extensive Aboriginal stone tool collection.  Come and marvel at the skill base of these nomadic peoples.