Kew Historical Society Inc.

Kew Historical Society Inc. The Kew Historical Society was founded in 1958 and is one of the oldest continuing historical societies in Melbourne. Kew Historical Society Inc.

The Society is a member of the Boroondara Historical Societies Association, the RHSV, and AMaGA. aims to stimulate our community’s interest in the economic, social, cultural, and environmental history and heritage of Kew and its environs. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our premises are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.

17/06/2026

Exploring a mystery antique table top tool. So far we haven’t been able to work it out. Tell us what you think this is.

It’s been bothering me for years. What is this equipment, who would have used it, and what was it designed to do?
13/06/2026

It’s been bothering me for years. What is this equipment, who would have used it, and what was it designed to do?

Kew ephemera - In our KHS collection, there are many items of ephemera, Some of these are items on paper such as flyers...
08/06/2026

Kew ephemera - In our KHS collection, there are many items of ephemera, Some of these are items on paper such as flyers or invitations, but also three dimensional items such as biscuit tins. This is a poster promoting the film featuring Shirley Temple in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm at the Rialto Cinema in High Street, Kew. The Rialto Theatre was opened on 31st August 1921 . It was taken over by Hoyts Theatres in 1926. It was closed on 17th May 1961

09/05/2026

What a delight it has been for everyone to view this fabulous coat from 1927. Was it purchased in Paris where it was made or imported into Australia? I’m betting on the former.

I can’t quite believe that the exhibition closes tomorrow on Sunday, 10 May. We’ve had hundreds of people through the ho...
09/05/2026

I can’t quite believe that the exhibition closes tomorrow on Sunday, 10 May. We’ve had hundreds of people through the house and I think everybody has been absolutely enthusiastic about the costumes displayed. There are two sessions tomorrow. One at 10:30 and the other at 1 o’clock. Tickets are available at the door.

This is an audience favourite. The Georges of Melbourne salon. Setup by Justin Maclean, an archivist and historian of th...
02/05/2026

This is an audience favourite. The Georges of Melbourne salon. Setup by Justin Maclean, an archivist and historian of this iconic Melbourne store, the room includes dresses, gloves, shoes, and original furniture from the store. Meet Justin at the exhibition and share your experiences of shopping there.

An exhibition needs to bring together workers, volunteers, donors, and exhibitors. It was a great chance to bring togeth...
29/04/2026

An exhibition needs to bring together workers, volunteers, donors, and exhibitors. It was a great chance to bring together everyone who made this great exhibition possible. Photo Courtesy of Verna Rieschild

SATIN AND LACE DRESS, AND SEQUINNED CAPELET1920 – 30sA long black single piece crepe de chine and machine-made lace dinn...
29/04/2026

SATIN AND LACE DRESS, AND SEQUINNED CAPELET
1920 – 30s
A long black single piece crepe de chine and machine-made lace dinner dress. The dress has a high round neckline and elbow length sleeves. The skirt is covered in a floral batwing, commercial lace overskirt. Worn over the dress is a black chiffon loose fitted capelet, decorated with a wide border of silvered sequins. Sequins are also used in the body of the capelet, either individually or in circles.
Dress donated by Jillian Rigby, 2017; Capelet donated by Susan Barnett, 2017.
Kew Historical Society collection

Perhaps my favourite room and favourite picture from the exhibition 'Interwar Fashion & Design' I must admit that I love...
29/04/2026

Perhaps my favourite room and favourite picture from the exhibition 'Interwar Fashion & Design' I must admit that I love the Opera Coat and think of it as the star of the show. If you want to read more about it, read my article on page 7 of the March KHS Newsletterhttps://kewhistoricalsociety.org.au/khs/wp-content/uploads/KHS-Newsletter-No.154-March-2026.pdf

A Kew Business - Marion “Annie” (Cooper) Harrison, a milliner by trade, designed and made women’s hats, initially in the...
12/02/2026

A Kew Business - Marion “Annie” (Cooper) Harrison, a milliner by trade, designed and made women’s hats, initially in the 1940s in High Street, and later in the 1950s and 60s at 5 Princess Street. The hats were constructed upstairs in her shop in Princess Street while the ground floor was reserved for sales and display. Annie died in April 2016, at the great age of 107 years. Her hats are held in local and national collections.
https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/63572f60a97189479a43b02a

Address

Kew Court House, 188 High Street
Kew, VIC
3101

Opening Hours

11am - 1pm

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