We’re pleased to let our members know that we have now reviewed the full collection of our archive material. ​Over the coming months you will begin to see a range of updated articles appearing on our Members Access page only. These will include both newly prepared articles as well as selected items drawn from our archives. Over the past several months we have been carefully reviewing and organising our boxed archives to ensure these valuable historical resources are preserved while also making them easier for members to access. As part of this process, material is being digitised so it can be explored online. Through this growing collection, members will be able to discover historical articles, photographs, and documents that help bring Albany’s rich history to life.​ We look forward to sharing more of these historical treasures with you as they are added, and we encourage members to visit the Members Access page regularly as new material becomes available.

Norman House, one of the state’s oldest and most significant buildings, has being generously gifted by its current owner, Advance Housing Limited (AHL), to the people of Albany through the Albany Historical Society. This gesture highlights AHL’s commitment to preserving our city’s cultural heritage. In partnership with AHL, the Albany Historical Society (AHS) will ensure the heritage values of Norman House are preserved and restored where possible. AHL continues to provide updates as they become available regarding the transfer of title. This has been an extensive and complex process, which AHL has been managing professionally and with great care to ensure all requirements are properly addressed. We sincerely thank AHL for their generosity and commitment to the preservation of Albany’s history, and we look forward to announcing the successful transfer of title in the near future, at which time full stewardship of this iconic property will pass to the AHS.

We are delighted to share that there has been a strong interest in our upcoming event; An Evening with Dr Donald Garden. With enquiries continuing to grow, we encourage members to reserve their seats as soon as possible, to avoid disappointment. Dr Donald S. Garden is one of Australia’s most respected historians and the author of Albany: A Panorama of the Sound from 1827. During the special evenings on the 9-10 October 2026, Dr Garden will share fascinating insights, behind-the-scenes stories and reflections on Albany’s remarkable 200-year journey as Western Australia’s first settlement. Following the talk, guests will have the opportunity to continue the conversation over canapés and beverages in the courtyard, providing a relaxed setting to connect with fellow members and meet Dr Garden. If you have been considering attending, now is the time to secure your place. Event details and registration are available on this website under Celebrate 2026 Albany. We look forward to sharing this memorable evening of history, stories and conversation with you.

We are pleased to share with members that we have recently been reviewing the extensive photographic material held within the Albany Historical Society’s collection. Many of you will have noticed our weekly posts on our social media platforms, where we have been sharing a selection of photographs highlighting Albany’s rich history. These posts have provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the remarkable images preserved in our archives. As part of this ongoing work, our Collections Manager, Mark and our Heritage Officer, Tanya are compiling a curated pictorial collection, which will feature some of the more special and rare photographs from our holdings. This collection will be updated from time to time, allowing members to enjoy and rediscover important moments from Albany’s past. The pictorial collection will be available exclusively through the Members Access a dedicated space to explore and appreciate these unique historical images. We look forward to continuing to share these fascinating glimpses into our history with you.

Members are advised that the Pioneer Pathways project has experienced a short delay, due to scheduling issues with our signage contractor. While this has slightly shifted our timeline, we are pleased to report that work is progressing and we are anticipating the installation of the first plaques in late March 2026. The Pioneer Pathways project will highlight important stories and individuals connected to Albany’s/Kinjarling's early history, creating another way for visitors and the community to engage with our heritage. In addition to this project, the grounds of Duke Street Park, and Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum, will soon become the permanent home of an important Bicentenary initiative — Sculpture at Binalup. As part of the Albany 2026 Bicentenary, the sixteen contemporary artworks featured in Sculpture at Binalup will be relocated to Duke Street Park following their exhibition at Binalup / Middleton Beach from 10–19 April 2026. Developed by local artist Mae Elliott in collaboration with Menang Noongar leaders, artists and community members, the sculptures reflect the Bicentenary themes of past, present and future, grounded in truth-telling and connection to Country. The project also includes a school outreach program led by respected Menang elder Aunty Carol Pettersen OAM JP, inviting young people to engage with Menang-led installations. The Albany Historical Society is incredibly proud to provide a permanent home for these significant sculptures and is honoured to support this important Bicentenary legacy, ensuring the artworks remain accessible to the community for generations to come. The exhibition will take place at Binalup / Middleton Beach from 10–19 April 2026, inviting visitors to experience contemporary sculpture in one of Albany’s most significant coastal landscapes.

We are incredibly proud to announce our partnership with Trove, the National Library of Australia, which has now successfully linked our entries on Collections WA with their national archives. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for the Albany Historical Society and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. By being included in Trove's prestigious national database, our collection gains wider visibility and contributes to preserving and sharing the rich history of Albany on a much larger scale. It is truly an honour for our society to be recognized in this way, and we are excited about the potential for further growth and collaboration in the future.