YASS & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC.
Keeping our stories alive
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and emerging
Stay Connected
Visitors should be aware that the Yass Valley History Centre display spaces and and archival collections contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.
Yass Valley History Centre
Location
247A Comur Street Yass
(two doors from the Yass Visitor's Centre)
Opening Times
Tuesday, Thursdays & Sundays 10am to 4pm Phone 0493 264 524. Opening times for special events are available on our Facebook page and at the Yass Visitors Information Centre 02 6226 2557
Admission fees
Entry is free but donations are gratefully accepted
Archives
Location
247A Comur Street Yass
(two doors from the Yass Visitor's Centre)
Opening times
Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-5pm Phone 0493 264 524 (above days only) Bookings by prior appointment preferred. Contact yassarchives@gmail.com well ahead of planned visits.
Records Held
The area represented in the archival collection approximates that of the area covered by Yass Valley Council.
The Model of Yass Courthouse. [YDHS Inc]
Welcome
About us
The Yass & District Historical Society is an inclusive community group dedicated to preserving the built and natural heritage of the Yass Valley and is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission as a charity.
What we do
Our society encourages the study and preservation of the history of Yass and district, by actively collecting information, photographs and relics associated with the area, landmarks and people.
Colourful post card featuring the Court House and a view of the Yass River, c1950s, [YDHS Inc]
- The Society conducts the Yass Valley History Centre, which includes an exhibition space, an archive of historical records, a personalised research service and carries out a significant educational role.
- We promote a sense of responsibility within the community and co-operate with other organizations in the promotion of local and Australian history.
Our Society safeguards the records of community organizations.
- We play an active role in heritage matters working closely with the council on the Local Environmental Plan, consultants, and individuals; with particular interests in the Soldiers Memorial Hall and Crago’s Mill precinct.
- The society has representatives on council’s Main Street Masterplan and Soldier’s Memorial Hall Committees.
- We encourage owners of historic buildings and properties to consult our archives for information to assist them in making informed decisions before removing or making alterations
to buildings. - Community engagement is promoted through our social media pages and articles of historical and current interest in the local press..
Reunion Ball for ex-student of St Joseph’s High School, Mount Carmel at Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall, 1929. [YDHS Inc]
Welcome
Our members
We warmly welcome new members who have an interest in preserving the history of the Yass district and contributing to an important community group. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in activities and assist with various projects as they arise.
Our committee
The current Office Bearers were elected at the Annual General Meeting held on 4 December 2023
| Patron | Marion McCarthy |
| President | Cheryl Mongan |
Vice- President |
|
Secretary | Judith Davidson |
| Treasurer | Jason Harrop |
Publicity Officer Committee members | Sheree Bamforth Rick Williams Corrine Chalmers |
Public Officer Archives | Rosalie Bush |
Yass men who worked on the Sydney wharves during the General Strike of 1917.[YDHS Inc]
Day out on the government launch, Burrinjuck, c1920 [YDHS Inc]
Life members
In recognition of their dedication to the work of the society, life membership has been bestowed upon the following members
- William Kirkham*
- Gwenneth Burton*
- Freda Crocker*
- Jessie Walmsley*
- Adrian Roche*
- Robin Butt*
- Rosalie Bush
- Cheryl Mongan
- Roma Longley*
- Anne Pigram
- Adela La Combe*
- Emma McAllister*
- Dora Storey*
- Bert Thompson*
- Dorothea Roche*
- Marion McCarthy
- Gloria Carlos
- Richard Reid
- Diana MacQuillan
- Doris Bourke*
- Mavis Robertson*
- Thomas Walmsley*
- Nora Thompson*
- Agnes Skillen*
- Russel Whitehurst*
- Jane Nauta*
- Maureen Collins
- Bill Pigram
- Deceased*
A brief history
The Yass and District Historical Society Inc is an organisation conducted entirely by volunteers with a strong sense of commitment to the heritage and the future of their community.
On 15 July 1961 seven people met in the Hume Café, Comur Street to discuss whether it was possible to form a local historical society. A committee, led by the president Bill Kirkham, was duly elected, with Dr RAG Holmes being invited to be the patron. Membership was limited to twenty members.
Initially without a home and progress limited by a lack of funds and resources, the society gratefully accepted the use of an upstairs room in the Yass Soldiers’ Memorial Hall as a temporary museum, which opened to the public on 20 September 1964. The search for more spacious and accessible premises began and in 1971 the society successfully negotiated with the Yass Municipal Council for the occupancy of Cobblestone Cottage (c1841) near the Hume Bridge.
The first permanent museum, Cobblestone Cottage, during the flood of 1959.
[YDHS Inc]
The Hamilton Hume Museum was officially opened by Stuart Hume, a collateral descendant of the explorer, on 19 April 1972, with the new premises providing much-needed space for the growing collection. However, the new location came at a price. In September 1974 the Yass River flooded sending water five feet deep into the building. Members worked feverishly to remove the exhibits. This and further subsequent flooding hastened the need for premises on higher ground and the search for an alternative building began. In the mid-1980s the Society established its archive in a former office space on the first floor of the Yass Solders’ Memorial Hall in Comur Street, providing a valuable service to family and local historians, students, community organizations, local council, academics, and a broad range of professional consultants.
In December 1983 the present museum (a former garage), was purchased with the aid of a grant and a bank loan. Several years of intensive planning, fundraising, extensive refurbishment and the physical labour of a dedicated group, led by the then president Robin Butt, came to fruition with the official opening in December of the bicentennial year. The ongoing fundraising efforts of the multi-skilled members ensured that the loan was repaid several years before it was due.
Since its official opening in 1988 further refurbishment has been carried out with new storage facilities, carpeting and lighting being installed. In 2001 members voted to change the name of the museum to the Yass and District Museum to better reflect the content of the exhibits.
The installation of solar power at the museum funded by a grant from the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has enabled the building to operate more efficiently and reduce our energy costs.
In February 2023 the society’s archive had to vacate premises in the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall that it had occupied for forty years and was temporarily located in the former ambulance station at 88 Meehan Street. With a combination of grants, donations and fundraising the museum building was refurbished to accommodate both the archival and museum collections. The archive was relocated in June 2024 and the fully rejuvenated facilities were re-opened as the Yass Valley History Centre by the Hon Bob Nanva, MLC on 4 October 2024.
Some of our
Gallery
All images on this website are the property of the Yass & District Historical Society Inc and must not be used for any purpose without the express permission of the Society
