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Wednesday 11am - 2pm Friday 11am - 2pm

Bathurst District Historical Society

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Bathurst, NSW
Bathurst District Historical Society

The Bathurst District Historical Society has been run by volunteers since it began in 1947.

Together we manage the Historical Museum and Bookshop, Research Rooms, Old Government Cottage with its heritage garden and over 23000 items in our collection.

17/08/2026

Old Government Cottage open day! 🏠

Sunday 23 August 2026
16 Stanley St, near low-level bridge
12-4 PM. Entry fees apply

Old Government Cottage is a fine example of early domestic Australian architecture in Bathurst. On display in the cottage is an exhibition on the development of Bathurst, along with artworks and a display of local domestic objects. The garden contains many heritage plants, farm equipment and an original baker’s oven.

📸Old Government Cottage in 1958, before it became a volunteer-run museum by the Bathurst District Historical Society. BDHS Collection.

16/08/2026

Light up your night! ✨🪟🌈🌙

Join us for Talking History with Paul Woodhart this Thursday!

Thursday 20 August 2026, 7:30 PM
Greens On William, 29 William St, Bathurst

This talk explores the history of leadlighting in Bathurst, its enduring techniques, and the stories behind some of the city's historic leadlights.

$2 entry. Drinks available at the bar. Tea and coffee served after the talk.

06/08/2026

Discover the rich history of leadlighting in Bathurst!✨🪟🌈

This talk explores traditional techniques that continue to shape the craft today and reveals the stories behind the beautiful leadlights that grace many of the city’s historic buildings.

Talking History with Paul Woodhart
Thursday 20 August 2026, 7:30 PM
Greens On William, 29 William St, Bathurst

$2 entry. Drinks available at the bar. Tea and coffee served after the talk.

31/07/2026

Have you seen the light? Leadlight, that is! ✨🪟🌈💒

Join Paul Woodhart at our next Talking History Event at the Greens On William.

Thursday 20 August 2026, 7:30PM
Greens On William, 29 William St, Bathurst

Alongside serving as Parish Priest at St Barnabas South Bathurst and Chaplain to All Saints’ College, Paul Woodhart has pursued a lifelong passion for making leadlight panels.

His talk will highlight the history of leadlighting in Bathurst, how traditional techniques continue to shape current practices, and offer insights into the historical aspects of some of the leadlights featured in Bathurst’s buildings.

$2 entry. Drinks available at the bar. Tea and coffee served after the talk.

20/07/2026

Trace Bathurst’s history through one of the city's oldest buildings!

Old Government Cottage
Sunday 26 July 2026
12 - 4 pm

16 Stanley St, Bathurst, near the low-level bridge.
Entry fees apply.

📷 BDHS Collection, 1958 Old Government Cottage, before restoration in the 1960s.

18/07/2026

🎻Local historian Sarah Swift will talk about Bathurst violinist Leila Waddell as part of the Leila Waddell Concert Series, run by Creative Galah.

Sunday 19 July 2026 at 3PM
All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Bathurst.

Leila's full name was Leila Ida Nerissa Bathurst Waddell. Leila toured the world, performing and composing music, embracing a life rich with love, magic, and melody.

Join the Streeton Trio for a powerful and inspiring afternoon celebrating the brilliance and resilience of women in music. This program shines a light on four extraordinary female composers who defied convention and left a lasting mark on the classical world.

Tickets: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/streeton-trio-women-who-dared-tickets-1972881644106

Info: www.creativegalah.com.au/events

📸Leila Waddell in the Rites of Eleusis. Dover Studio, London, 1910.

14/07/2026

Join us tomorrow for our next Talking History Event!

Author Keith Painter will share panoramic photographer Melvin Vaniman’s story and showcase several of his classic panoramas.

Thursday 16 July, 7:30 PM
Greens on William

$2 entry per person. Includes tea, coffee & light supper after the talk. Drinks are available to purchase at the bar.

08/07/2026

Melvin Vaniman, the bold American photographer who toured Australia & NZ in 1902–1904, captured dramatic early views of the Blue Mountains, even the lookout that now bears his name.

Author Keith Painter will share Vaniman’s story and showcase several of his classic panoramas at the next Talking History Event.

Thursday 16 July, 7:30 PM
Greens on William

$2 entry per person. Includes tea, coffee & light supper after the talk. Drinks are available to purchase at the bar.

06/07/2026

Bring your kids for a local history hit these school holidays!

Bathurst History Museum
East Wing Bathurst Courthouse, Russell Street, Bathurst.

Open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 11 AM – 2 PM.
Entry fees apply.

📸January 1910, BDHS Collection.

02/07/2026

Have you ever taken a photo from Vaniman’s Lookout in Katoomba? 📸

Hear about the man who did, and had the lookout named after him!

Author Keith Painter will share Vaniman’s story and showcase several of his classic panoramas.

Thursday 16 July, 7:30 PM, Greens on William

$2 entry per person. Includes tea, coffee & light supper after the talk. Drinks are available to purchase at the bar.

Address

162 Russell Street
Bathurst, NSW
2795

Opening Hours

Wednesday	11am - 2pm
Friday	11am - 2pm

Telephone

+61263322522

Website

http://bathursthistory.org.au/

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