On the coast

The geography of Fremantle in the early days will be on display as part of a new exhibition at Trowbridge Gallery.

The gallery is exhibiting a collection of more than 100 charts, maps and prints from WA’s early exploration in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Gallery owner Steven Marcuson said the exhibition highlighted the big names in the exploration of WA such as James Stirling and the Forrest brothers.

‘The exhibition has taken about 12 months to put together because most of the stock came from overseas as they were pieces that related to the discovery of the new continent of Australia but were published in places like Germany, England, France and Holland,’ he said. ‘People like looking at how things were and how they have evolved and many people relate to the early charts and prints because of family connections from the past.’

Mr Marcuson said there were a number of items that linked to Fremantle in the exhibition.

‘We are exhibiting the first published image of the Swan River showing Vlamingh’s boat at the mouth of the river in 1696,’ he said. ‘We are also exhibiting the first image of Fremantle after settlement by Robert Dale which was drawn in 1829 and depicted Fremantle and the flagpole erected by Captain Fremantle.’

The exhibition ends June 22 at the gallery in Bayview Terrace, Claremont.