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.

Sweeping NSW Government planning changes are due to take effect from this month, and many of Ku-ring-gai’s heritage buildings and houses could be demolished! Will you help us to compile a photo record of Ku-ring-gai as it is today?

To find out what you can do, check out our KHSnap page!

Old monochrome photo of Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers with horses

Kindly note that our Research Room is now closed, and will be re-opening at 10 am on Tuesday 16 January 2024. We wish all our members a peaceful, healthy and relaxing holiday season!

Please see our Events page for details about our upcoming events in 2024

Join us on Saturday 20 April, when Ross McMullin presents Life So Full of Promise, a collection of interwoven family stories about forgotten Australians who had radiant potential.


Then on Saturday 18 May, Paul Storm presents The Great Expositions, about the Expos of the 1800s in London and Sydney – covering commercial, cultural, industrial, promotional material and arts & crafts.

See our Events page for more details on our upcoming events

Old monochrome photo of Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers with horses

Our February/March Newsletter is out now – download it here

  • All the photos from our 60th Anniversary Dinner celebration!
  • The stories behind Pearce’s Corner and Kissing Point
  • Did you know about Ku-ring-gai’s own Irish Town?
  • Read about Governor Phillip’s journey to Bungaroo
  • Then & Now takes a look at a familiar bridge
  • And links to some great family history webinars
    All this and more in our February/March Newsletter!

Officially launched at our Diamond Jubilee Dinner in November, 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. We are pleased to announce that this wonderful book is now available for purchase – a fabulous gift idea for anyone with a connection to Ku-ring-gai. Click here for more details and to purchase online.

We are pleased to announce that the latest edition of The Historian, our Society’s research journal, is out now! Volume 48 is all about Roseville and its development, including significant houses and buildings, founding forefathers, land grants, schools, churches, hospitals and much more, all with accompanying photos.

All members have now received their complimentary copy.

Non-members who wish to purchase a copy (and members who would like extra copies) may do so here.

We trust you will enjoy reading all about Roseville!

Join us today and you’ll enjoy…

  • Monthly meetings with interesting guest speakers
  • Our informative and entertaining bi-monthly 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!
Monochrome photo of Lane Cove Road (later Pacific Highway) Turramurra, looking north, with shops and horse & cart

We have a range of superb publications, including Women of Ku-ring-gai and Almost Like Home: Living in Bradfield Park.

Back issues are available of our esteemed research journal, The Historian.

And Rallying The Troops is a tour de force, commemorating those associated with Ku-ring-gai who served in World War I.

Rallying The Troops: a World War I Commemoration  is our award-winning four-volume series, commemorating the almost 1800 men and women associated with Ku-ring-gai who served in the Great War – an extraordinary chronicle of the heroism of Australians in the forefront of defending our nation!

As reviewed by Russell Linwood ASM, Secretary Military History Society of Australia: “The labour of love by those who have painstakingly compiled these data is compellingly obvious, and the result is a record of a community’s contribution to war that is probably second to none, especially on this scale and at this level of detail.”

All four volumes are available to purchase online – a wonderful addition to any history buff’s book case!

Read more about this incredible series here!

Sepia Family Photo © Ku-ring-gai Historical Society

Research

Our large collection of material related to Ku-ring-gai’s built heritage, local history and pioneers is a valuable resource for those researching their connections with the area – whether their ancestors, or the history of particular sites or dwellings.

Our experienced volunteers are available to assist in exploring our collections and interpreting materials. You can access our Research Services via our Built Heritage ResearchLocal History Research and Family History Research pages.

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