The Churchill Island collection includes objects from the late 1800s. The collection is presented in sets and series, of which this ice-chest represents the Amess era.This object helps explore the domestic objects used in the late 1800s prior to refrigeration.Upright wooden ice-chest on four castors featuring two horizontally opening doors attached with brass hinges. The interior is lined with galvanised iron.Foys Melbchurchill island, amess family, early refrigeration, domestic objects

The Churchill Island collection includes objects from the late 1800s. The collection is presented in sets and series, of which this object represents the early Amess era.The cannon was left on Churchill Island after the last private resident left and the Island was purchased by the Victorian State Government. During the time of ownership by Samuel Amess, the cannon was positioned in the front garden facing the bay. In 1982, the Victorian Conservation Trust sought to identify the manufacture and provenance of the cannon. Images held within the Churchill Island Museum and Archive demonstrate the annual use of the cannon by the Amess family, in particular the firing of the cannon on New Years Eve of each year.Six pounder cast iron smooth bore cannon, mounted on a white painted wooden carriage with four iron wheels.860 / FRECKchurchill island, cannon, samuel amess, 1800s, victorian conservation trust

The Churchill Island collection includes objects from the late 1800s. The collection is presented in sets and series, of which this chair represents the Amess era.A rocking chair was often used in family rooms of homes in the Victorian era. This chair represents a likely item found in the Amess family's informal dining area beside the kitchen fireplace.Large woven wicker rocking chair with rattan seat and four legs made of carved wood positioned on a carved wood platform or rocker base with rolling casters, ornate woven wicker wrapped frame and rolled arms. churchill island, rocking chair

The Churchill Island collection includes objects from the late 1800s. The collection is presented in sets and series, of which this commode represents the Amess era.A commode was designed to house a small ceramic chamber pot and used before the installation of plumbed facilities. Known as a chaise percee, this is designed to look like a bedroom stool or small seat. Used in the 1800s, this commode is representative of what may have been used by the Amess family. Victorian round cedar commode seat, raised on plinth base with fluted sides and finished with red, yellow and blue embroidered seat.churchill island, commode, toilet, furniture

16 page full colour book on Churchill Island history, flora and fauna, and future plans.non-fictionThis book highlights the work of early colonial explorers, as well as the later 19th-century farming history of the Amess family. Text and research by Graham Pizzey, with drawings by acclaimed artist Robert Ingpen.churchill island, victorian conservation trust