The Museum

Trust Formation

In 1955, a committee of concerned citizens, many of whom were very prominent people in South Australia, was established to save the colonial home of the explorer Captain Charles Sturt and to preserve it for future generations. The newly formed National Trust of South Australia lent its weight to the effort and generated public support to save the Grange.

Pioneers day

Pioneers Day held on Sturt’s birthday 28th April 1961. Amongst the guests were George Cummins Morphett, Kenneth Milne, Audrey Morphett and Mrs M.B. White.

In 1960 The Charles Sturt Memorial Museum Trust was formed and incorporated to restore Sturt’s home to its former glory. The Board was tasked with raising the funds to carry out the restoration work, they were ably supported in this venture by the then Premier of South Australia, The Honourable Sir Thomas Playford KCMG MP and a number of leading business men.

At this time it was evident that the fabric of this historic building had fallen into disrepair, and it was feared it was in imminent danger of demolition by the owner. The Henley & Grange Council with the considerable efforts of the Mayor, the late D. J. Newlands, stepped in and purchased the property in 1956.

In April 1966, the Corporation of the Town of Henley & Grange gifted the title of the house and its associated land to the Charles Sturt Memorial Museum Trust Inc. subject to a caveat requiring it to restore and maintain the property as a memorial museum and tourist attraction.

Following restoration of the house, a quantity of furniture, artworks, documents and artefacts belonging to Captain Charles Sturt and his family, were gifted to the Trust by his grandchildren, Geoffrey and Katherine Sturt, and his great grandson, Anthony Sturt. His great nephew the Reverend Napier Sturt bequeathed a considerable sum of money to the Trust, whilst another great nephew, David Sturt-Bray donated several family heirlooms.

Sturt birthday toast

Captain Charles Sturt’s Birthday toast on 28th April 1968.

The museum was officially opened 2 October 1967 by the Governor Sir Eric Bastyan A commemorative plaque was unveiled in front of 300 guests followed by Miss Caroline Sturt, the great great granddaughter of Captain Sturt official hand over of the Sturt Collection.