Celebrate 2026 Albany
WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S FIRST BICENTENARY
Kinjarling, Western Australia
Creating the opportunity to connect with the past to celebrate the present.
Creating the opportunity to connect with the past, to celebrate the present.
The Albany Historical Society (AHS) was founded in 1962 and we are dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the rich and diverse history of Albany (Kinjarling). The AHS history collection is one of the oldest and most distinguished collections in Western Australia and is vital to the centre of research of Albany and Western Australia.
AHS celebrates Albany 'Kinjarling', we recognise our community's diverse cultural heritage, our rich and unique history and the important role Albany played as the first British colonial and Aboriginal settlement of Western Australia. We respect and recognise the connection to country of the Menang Noognar people and the importance Kinjarling holds in their culture and in their day to day lives.
TRUE CRIME
Frederick Deeming
The greatest criminal of the nineteenth century, but was Deeming the most infamous serial killer - Jack the Ripper?
Deeming a globetrotting murderer, killing two of his wives and four children, assumed multiple identities and reputed occupations which lured many into his web of lies. Captured in the small goldfields’ town of Southern Cross in Western Australia, his transfer back to Melbourne, involved a night spent at the Albany Convict Gaol.
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EARLY SETTLER
Patrick Taylor was a leading figure in the town's affairs for several years. A fanatically religious man, he was deeply concerned with the death of clergymen in the new colony.
EARLY SETTLER
Mr. Dunn was better known as a wheelwright, pastoralist and builder. He was contracted with John McKail to build the first Albany Jetty and was also appointed Gaoler and Police Constable in 1841-1849 and a Member of the Albany Town Trust in 1860.
HISTORY MATTERS
On the 5 December 1931, Norman House (then named Edwards House) became the first Toc H Mark I for Australia. In 1931, there were 28 Marks in the world, the first in the Commonwealth by way of gift from Miss Dymes.
Visit Us
EXPLORE THE CONVICT PAST
Explore the fascinating convict past at the Albany Convict Gaol Museum, as you wander through the cell blocks and look back to the era of the mid 1800s.
WA's OLDEST SURVIVING DWELLING
Experience the lifestyle of the early settlers and visit Western Australia's oldest surviving dwelling, having been built by the Morley Brothers in 1832.
BICENTENNIAL PROJECT
As part of the Celebrate 2026 Albany, the diorama depicting Major Lockyer’s original settlement of what was then Frederickstown is being recreate in a new and more comprehensive detailed model.
Upcoming Events
SELF GUIDED
NIGHT TOURS
Walk alone by candlelight and explore the darker side of the Albany Convict Gaol.
LITTLE CONVICTS
KIDS CLUB
COMING SOON
LITTLE CONVICTS KIDS CLUB
Holiday Program
Designed for children aged 6 to 12 years old, the little convict kids club holiday program, unlocks the history of the gaol with fun activities, dramatic escapes and so much more.
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July School Holidays
Question 1 of 12
Arrival of the brig Amity
The arrival of the brig Amity in King George Sound under the command of Major Edmund Lockyer, had 23 convicts and ship officers onboard to establish a British settlement.
What date did the brig arrive in King George Sounds?
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