The Bradman Museum

Situated alongside the picturesque and historic Bradman Oval, in Bowral New South Wales (NSW) Australia, the concept of the museum gained momentum after its earliest proponent, Bowral lawyer and inaugural Chairman, Garry Barnsley first approached Sir Donald in 1983. Although initially hesitant, Bradman did not dissuade Barnsley from his goal. Cricket enthusiasts rallied to support the plan for a national cricket museum which also honoured the achievements of Sir Donald Bradman.

The Pavilion proved a reliable but small home for the museum given the numerous cricket teams who also used it for the many matches hosted on the Oval.

The Trust energetically chased funding for a second stage, to create a totally dedicated cricket museum. The support of the New South Wales Cricket Association and especially that of their their CEO Bob Radford and President, former Australian player Alan Davidson, proved pivotal with Radford succeeding Collins as Chairman.

An original display from the 1989 Bradman Museum.

Sir Roden Cutler, the Inaugural patron of Bradman Foundation, turned the first sod for construction of Stage 2, in September 1994. Sir Roden, a lifelong friend of Sir Donald Bradman, remained a great supporter of the museum.

The museum's various incarnations were made possible through the positive, supportive and active role of Sir Donald Bradman, and its successive patrons: Sir Roden Cutler (1994 - 2002), Richie Benaud (2002 - 2015), and now The Hon. John Howard (2015 - present).

On August 27, 1996, Sir Donald Bradman's birthday, then Prime Minister The Hon. John Howard opened the dedicated Bradman Museum. Open 7 days-a-week and featuring detailed displays showcasing the history of cricket, it included a 94 seat theatrette, and dressing room immersion. All displays were finished to the highest standard.

“The Bradman Museum is probably the finest cricket museum in the world, and it is planned to epitomise the ethos of cricket, and give us a commendable way of life through enjoyment of one aspect of our leisure.”

Sir Roden Cutler, Inaugural Patron, Bradman Foundation, (1994 - 2002). Introduction to Stage 2 museum opening August 27, 1996.

“The museum complex is primarily for the youth of Australia. It is a symbol of what cricket has meant and will continue to mean to the people of our nation.”

Sir Donald Bradman, letter for Stage 2 museum opening, 27th August 1996.


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Sir Donald Bradman pictured with Sir Roden Cutler, 1979

The dedicated museum was supported by matches played by touring Test sides with England, South Africa and New Zealand all playing on Bradman Oval before capacity crowds of 5,000. Spurred on by Sir Donald’s endorsement, new and precious objects were generously donated to the museum. Harold Larwood’s family freely gave many of their father’s personal effects from his playing days. Cricket photographer Viv Jenkins’ seminal photos from the days of World Series Cricket were donated, while innumerable other generous individuals donated items which have collectively added to the nation’s cricketing heritage.

Sir Donald became the Museum’s greatest supporter and regularly facilitated donations and support to ensure the Museum was successful.

Following his death on February 25, 2001 and in accordance with his wishes, the Bradman family scattered Sir Donald’s and Lady Bradman’s combined ashes on and around Bradman Oval and in the dedicated rose garden.

To commemorate the passing of Sir Donald Bradman, the Bradman Trust commissioned artist Tanya Bartlett to sculpt a life-size statue of Don Bradman tipping his Baggy Green cap.

'A Final Salute’ was unveiled after 12 months after his death on February 25, 2002, by his Test batting colleague Bill Brown, and former Test Captain and then Bradman Foundation Chairman Ian Craig. It appropriately acknowledges Bradman's enormous contribution to cricket. The bronze statue remains the most photographed aspect of the site's many attractions, complemented as it is by the specially developed Bradman Roses flowering in the background.

In 2010, with the support of both Federal Government funding, the International Cricket Hall was opened by The Hon Martin Ferguson MP. For the first time the Bradman Museum truly reflected the broad reach of cricket played around the world by peoples of vastly different cultures, religions and histories, all united by their shared love of the game.

Today, a collection of over 52,000 items are illustrated in dedicated galleries promoting cricket at a fundamental level, and its greatest players.
Displays also include 'the revolution' which was World Series Cricket, the history of the women’s game, the most memorable cricketing moments including a dedicated Bodyline Theatrette, detailed timelines containing on-demand ‘memorable moments’ in cricket and four giant screens depicting match footage across four eras. This alongside a totally new Origins of Cricket, and Bradman Gallery focussing as much on Bradman the individual as the cricketer, complement the upgraded displays. An enlarged retail store and on-site café complete the metamorphosis.

Explore the history of the game from it's medieval England origins, to international cricket in colonial times: The Origins Gallery at Bradman Museum includes a dedicated display on the history of Indigenous Cricket in Australia.

The museum's Origins Gallery displays also showcase Australian Intercolonial cricket artefacts, the birth of Test cricket and 'The Ashes', up to The Golden Era.

The Bradman Gallery, opened in 1996 by Richie Benaud, contains many significant match-used and original donated items by Sir Donald Bradman. It hold Bradman's first bat, his 1937/38 captain's Baggy Green cap, and his 1947/48 Australia blazer, worn on his last Test appearance in Australia.

The World Series Cricket Gallery highlights the revolutionary changes brought to cricket by Australian media magnate, Kerry Packer. Coloured uniforms and changes to equipment became important factors in the marketing of World Series Cricket from 1977 onwards. The gallery includes interactive displays with hundreds of hours of player interviews, a WSC documentary in the theatre, the first white ball played in November 1978 at the SCG, and Kerry Packer's famous signed bat.

The International Cricket Hall of Fame showcases the modern forms of cricket, internationally, alongside the traditional Test series.