A Treasure Trove of History: The Albany Historical Society’s collection offers a deep dive into the region's vibrant past.
The Albany Historical Society collection is one of the oldest and most distinguished collections in Western Australia and is rich, diverse and vital to the centre of research into the history of Albany and Western Australia. AHS are custodians of a large collection of historic artefacts, books, documents and works of art; all catalogued, restored and put on display by volunteers.
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More than half of the five thousand objects and artefacts in the society’s care are exhibited at one of the historic buildings or outdoor sites managed by the AHS; everyday items from pioneering farms, maritime trading enterprises, early homes and work places.
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The collection was established in 1962 with donations from early settlers descendants and the collection continues to expand with all aspects of the diverse and significant cultural heritage of Albany and Western Australia.
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We currently have items of our collections on display at St John's Ambulance Sub Centre, Model Railway Association, the Brig Amity and in the Residency Building at the Museum of the Great Southern.
What's in the Collection?
We have a significant and diverse collection of rare and historically valuable items.
The Albany Historical Society (AHS) houses a significant collection of rare and historically valuable items, including early heliographic photographs from Western Australia, as well as prints, drawings, watercolours, cartoons, paintings, architectural plans, and important documents.
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Our diverse photography archive highlights the people, places, and events from both the early European and Aboriginal settlement of Albany (Kinjarling), extending into the broader surrounding regions.
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For organisations, societies, companies, or government bodies interested in using images from our collection, please contact:
Mark Saxon
Collections Manager, Albany Historical Society
collections@historicalbany.com.au
Looking for Something?
For all historical research requests, family history or genealogy.
The Albany Historical Society is proud to work with local organisations to ensure our region’s history is preserved, accessible and cared for. As part of this effort, AHS has amalgamated its document archives with the City of Albany, which now manages these historical records.
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For all general historical research requests, please contact the City of Albany directly by emailing history@albany.wa.gov.au or calling (08) 6820 3626. If your inquiry relates specifically to family history or genealogy, please reach out to the Albany Family History Group by emailing albanyfamilyhistory@gmail.com or visiting their website at www.albanyfamilyhistory.org.au.
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We encourage all researchers, historians and community members to connect with these dedicated teams to uncover and celebrate Albany’s rich and diverse heritage.
