In a statement released last Thursday the City of Bunbury listed King Cottage and the Paisley Centre as two possible museum sites.

The Bunbury Historical Society operates out of King Cottage Museum and is concerned about what would happen if another site such as the Paisley Centre was earmarked to become the City’s other museum.

Society president Meryl Gardiner said if the City was to have two small museums they would detract from one another.

She would like to see the council owned King Cottage continue being the City’s only museum until a larger regional museum was developed in the area.

"The cottage is a learning centre held in high regard in the museum world," Mrs Gardiner said.

"The building itself is a museum."

King Cottage was built in the early 1880s by Bunbury man Henry King whose family lived there for four generations.

The feasibility study will examine the potential visitor base, collection focus, possibilities for education, management structure, staffing, capital and ongoing costs.

Mrs Gardiner hoped the City would use the cottage site and suggested it could be expanded to allow for more room.

"They could build something modest," she said.

"Just enough to serve the needs of the community."

The City of Bunbury will hold two public forums for people interested in the establishment of a local museum.

More information can be found on the website www.bunbury.wa.gov.au