About this venue
Northam’s heritage is a rich tapestry of culture, migrants, military activity, and politics. Northam was founded in 1833, and officially Gazetted in 1836. Northam’s founder, John Morrell, received his land grant for 4600 acres, after which he started building Morby Cottage on Katrine Drive. For those interested in foundation history, Morby Cottage is open to the public every Sunday between 11am and 3pm. The town was named by Governor Stirling, presumably after one of the same name in Devon, England. To commemorate the ties between Governor Stirling and Northam, you will now find Stirling Street (named in his honour) on your travels around town. Northam has also produced five of Western Australia’s Premiers, and boasts a number of other political past residents throughout its history to date. Architecturally, Northam is home to a significant number of heritage-listed buildings. To see these beautiful buildings in detail and learn about the important people who lived and worked there, you can contact the Northam Visitor Centre for information on guided and self-guided tours.