Museum

Through its heritage exhibition area, the Tasmanian Wool Centre is committed to preserving the history of Ross and the surrounding region by collecting stories, images, and artifacts. The Centre also serves as a repository for information and objects relating to the establishment and ongoing development of the wool industry in Tasmania.

In its early years, Ross thrived due to the prosperity of its surrounding landowners, who directly employed villagers or supported the businesses that shaped the town. As a result, Ross evolved into the beautifully preserved Georgian village it is today.

This rich history comes to life in the Wool and Heritage Galleries, where an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents is on display. The scent of raw wool greets visitors in the Wool Exhibition, where a re-created shearing shed – complete with a thrown fleece on its sorting table and a manual wool press—offers a glimpse into the past. Among the permanent exhibits on loan from the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston are The Canticle (1966), a striking woollen tapestry by John Coburn, Primary Bind (1985), a sculpture by Les Kossatz, and Stephen Walker’s Ermenegildo Zegna Perpetual Trophy (1963).

In the adjoining History Gallery, visitors can explore key milestones in Ross’ development. Permanent exhibitions on the Ross Bridge, Female Factory, and Horton College sit alongside rotating short-term exhibitions, ensuring there is always something new to discover. For those tracing their ancestry, the gallery holds registers of female convicts and male ticket-of-leave workers, as well as early Anglican Church burial records, providing valuable insights into Ross’ early settlers.

Whether you’re fascinated by wool production, Tasmania’s colonial past, or your own family history, the Tasmanian Wool Centre Museum offers a unique and immersive experience – one that connects past and present in the heart of Ross.