RAHS Latest News
2024 Christmas Close
RAHS Christmas Close 2024 The RAHS wishes all its members and friends a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday during the Summer break. We thank you all for your support in 2024. History House will be closed from 12 pm on Friday, 20 December 2024 to 9 am on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. RAHS employees will return on Monday, 6 January, but will work remotely until History House reopens on Tuesday, 14 January 2025.
2024 Certificates of Achievement and Appreciation
2024 Certificates of Achievement RAHS Affiliated Societies are critical in promoting local and community history. The RAHS Certificates of Achievement honour the wide-ranging contributions made by their members. Nominated by Australian Catholic Historical Society James Franklin For his dedication and involvement with the Society. Since 2011, James has served as Vice President, sole production editor of the journal and webmaster since 2019. He has contributed to varied Society matters, speakers...
Makers & Manufacturers: The Industrial History of St George
Hurstville Museum & Gallery exhibition Makers & Manufacturers: The Industrial History of St George 9 November 2024 – 11 May 2025 Makers & Manufacturers highlights the untold stories of the industrial history of the St George region. As Sydney expanded during the 19th century, the St George area remained unsettled longer than any other, with a population of just over 450 people by 1841. The earliest industries in the area used the abundant natural resources and included timber...
The Family History Book: Book Launch at History House
Join the authors of The Family History Book on Wednesday, 27 November 2024. This event is in partnership with the Society of Australian Genealogists. Do you wonder if that family legend your grandparents told was true? Or have you never known much about your family history and would like to learn more? Join authors Cassie and Shaun Gilmartin in conversation with Ruth Graham (Society of Australian Genealogists) to launch The Family History Book and discuss all things family history. The Family...
Knowledge for a Nation: Origins of the Royal Society of New South Wales
A new book by the Royal Society of NSW reveals colonial research culture in New South Wales. During the reigns of British monarchs George III, Queen Victoria and Edward VII, the prison colony of New South Wales was transformed by intellectually curious and innovative migrants from Britain, Europe and America. In a new book, Knowledge for a Nation: Origins of the Royal Society of New South Wales, Blue Mountains historian Dr Anne Coote explains how leading colonial administrators, scientists,...
2024 Ian Jack Memorial Lecture
Front-line heritage in the Hawkesbury St Andrew's New Church Hall, West Market St, Richmond Thursday, 24 October at 7.30 pm On 24 October, Dr Peter Hobbins will be delivering the 2024 Annual Memorial Lecture to R. Ian Jack, hosted by the Hawkesbury Historical Society. Peter’s presentation, ‘Front-line heritage in the Hawkesbury’, will consider Ian’s lasting legacies in historical archaeology, especially industrial archaeology. Drawing upon Hawkesbury region examples, Peter will reassess the...
The 36th James Jervis Memorial Lecture
Prof. Kate Fullagar will present the James Jervis Memorial Lecture on Bennelong and Phillip. Bennelong and Phillip were leaders of their respective people in the first encounters between Britain and Indigenous Australians. Phillip was the colony's first governor, and Bennelong was the Yiyura leader. The pair have come to represent the conflict that flared and has never settled. Kate Fullagar's new book, Bennelong & Phillip: A History Unravelled, is the first full biography of Bennelong of...
2024 Cultural Grants – Successful Projects
Twenty-one local history projects will receive funding from the 2024 Cultural Grants. RAHS President Dr Iain Stuart announced today that twenty-one local history projects will receive funding from the 2024 Cultural Grants Program. This grant program is administered by the RAHS on behalf of the NSW Government. ‘The Royal Australian Historical Society thanks Create NSW for funding this grants program which supports local and community history projects. These projects provide unique insights into...
In the House with Kate Fitzpatrick
Tamar Kelly and Kate Fitzpatrick, stars of stage and screen, in conversation at History House. We are delighted to announce that the RAHS, in partnership with the Historic Houses Association, will host a special joint event at History House. Tamar Kelly will interview Kate Fitzpatrick and explore Kate’s extraordinary career that spans theatre, film, and television. Star of Australia's stage and screen, artist's muse, writer and trailblazing commentator Kate Fitzpatrick has been hailed a...
Back to Black: The David Jones Family in Strathfield
A new exhibition will showcase the history of the David Jones Family in Strathfield. The David Jones family have strong associations with the Strathfield district, dating back to the 1860s. Members of the family have played an important role in business, architecture, medicine, education, recreation and even the incorporation of Strathfield Council. David Jones is one of the world's oldest department stores still trading under their original name. It was founded in Sydney in 1838 by Welsh...
Identification of HMB Endeavour Shipwreck Site
Dr James Hunter will speak to BMACHO about the identification of HMB Endeavour. This event has been organised by the Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations Inc (BMACHO). BMACHO is pleased to announce that Dr James Hunter, the Australian National Maritime Museum’s Curator of Naval Heritage and Maritime Archaeology, will be the guest speaker at BMACHO’s next event and will speak about the identification of HMB Endeavour’s shipwreck site. Dr Hunter has a background in...
Hardy Wilson’s Old Colonial Architecture 1924–2024
A new exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of Hardy Wilson's influential architectural work. Published in 1924, Hardy Wilson’s book Old Colonial Architecture in NSW and Tasmania was the first major publication dedicated to the documentation and conservation of Australian buildings. This exhibition draws attention to the book’s creation, examines its enduring presence and influence in Australian architecture, and contextualises it in Wilson’s biography and wider body of published work. This...
RAHS Weekly News Round-Up