Connecting Threads: A history of Albany Woollen Mills

Discover the history of the Albany Woollen Mills and it's impact on the local community, and the use of wool.  

Step into one of Albany’s most significant industrial stories, home to Western Australia’s first and only woollen mill. Since opening in 1925, the Albany Woollen Mills was a cornerstone of working life, employing hundreds of people and shaping the rhythm of the community. Its legacy is woven deeply into the town’s social, industrial and cultural fabric.

Curated by Sally Pell, this special exhibition draws from her own remarkable private collection. Through blankets, memorabilia and creative works, her archive reveals the deeply personal stories embedded within these iconic textiles. Blankets that warmed homes, travelled in car boots for decades, or marked weddings and milestones become powerful vessels of memory, connection and identity.

Blending history, art and collective memory, Connecting Threads celebrates the enduring legacy of the Albany Woollen Mills (1925–2002).

Alongside historical displays, discover contemporary upcycled works by local artists and explore the story of wool, from production to everyday use.