Welcome to Ku-ring-gai Historical Society
Welcome to
Ku-ring-gai Historical Society
Ku-ring-gai – home to the Darramuragal or Darug people for thousands of years – takes in around 85 km², stretching from Boundary Street, Roseville in the south, to Bobbin Head in the north; and from St Ives Showground in the east, to the Lane Cove River in the west.
Eleven weeks after the First Fleet arrived, Governor Phillip set off to find water sources and farming land. On 16th April 1788 the expedition camped at Middle Harbour creek – becoming the first Europeans to set foot in what is now Ku-ring-gai.
Ku-ring-gai Historical Society was established in 1963, and has produced award-winning Publications on the area’s local history, pioneer family histories and its built heritage.
Our best special offer yet! In commemoration of Anzac Day we have reduced the pricing on our entire Rallying The Troops series! Until 31st May, this award-winning series is available for just $25 per volume. Plus there is a very special offer of just $80 to purchase the complete four-volume set – a wonderful addition to any history buff’s book case! To find out more, click here, where you can also explore the Table of Contents, Index, and Sample Pages for each volume.
On Saturday 17 May, Geoff Nadin presents Treasure House: The Stewart Dawson Story, the tale of one of Sydney’s most famous families of the 20th century.
Then on Saturday 21 June, Patricia Skehan presents The Exiles of Canada Bay, the compelling true story of a group of Canadian patriotes, exiled for life in Australia.
Latest News
Congratulations to our President, Lorna Watt!
We’re proud to share that Lorna has been honoured with a NSW Seniors Local Achievement Award – presented by Matt Cross, MP for Davidson, for her research, writing, and contributions as a volunteer and current President of the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society. Read more here…
And at their Staff and Directors’ Grants event on 29 April, Community Bank Lindfield & Districts has generously awarded Ku-ring-gai Historical Society a $1000 Director’s Grant, kindly nominated by Jennifer Anderson, to support our work in preserving local history.
We’re incredibly grateful for the bank’s support of local community groups and not-for-profits like ours. This grant will greatly enhance our ability to preserve and share Ku-ring-gai’s rich heritage. Find out more here…
Our May/June Newsletter is out now!
- This is our final Newsletter by editor Geoff Little! But who will take over from here? It could be you!
- Are you curious about what goes into caring for our archives?
- Did you know St John’s Cemetery has a monthly working bee?
- Reminisce about Ku-ring-gai’s old Commonwealth Banks
- And congratulations, Lorna, on your Local Achievement Award!
All this and more in our May/June Newsletter
It’s now almost 20 years since we undertook the last round of Oral History interviews – so it’s time to do it again! We are interested in talking to people who have lived in Ku-ring-gai for some time, and to those who are new to the area. We also need volunteers to carry out the interviews. There’s more information here. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get talking!
Have you spotted a house marked for demolition or renovation? A charming old shopfront? Or perhaps a striking new building that reflects Ku-ring-gai’s evolving landscape? We need you to help us to compile a photo record of Ku-ring-gai – every photo adds to our shared history. To find out what you can do, check out our KHSnap page!
Officially launched at our Diamond Jubilee Dinner, attendees were thrilled to receive a complimentary copy of our latest publication, a historical compilation of glossy images, Ku-ring-gai: a Peep at Our Past.
This book of nostalgic photos would be a great addition to your coffee table, and a fabulous gift idea for anyone with a connection to Ku-ring-gai. Click here for more details and to purchase online.
Join us today and you’ll enjoy…
- Monthly meetings with interesting guest speakers
- Our informative and entertaining Newsletter
- Access to our large collection of books, photographs and research resources
- A copy of our research publication The Historian
- Free access to Ancestry and Family Search websites
- And much more!
