Our Mission
The Mission Statement
Connecting people with the past.
Aims
We aim to provide a place where local information and objects can be collected and stored as a means by which that information and those objects can be looked after and shared.Background
During the 1930’s a group of volunteers met each week at the Mechanics Institute in Mollison Street, Kyneton to formulate a program of events to celebrate the Centenary of the Kyneton District {1836-1936}.
After the celebrations that were held throughout
1936, the group realized that not only had they acquired a lot of information on
the pioneer history of the district, but there was also a great interest being
shown by people about their forebears and also the need for a centralized point
for the collection of this material.
The seeds were being sown for what is now the
Kyneton Historical Society, but before this could eventuate W.W II intervened
and it was not until much later that the society would be formed.
On November 3rd, 1951 the Kyneton
Historical Society was founded at a meeting in the Kyneton Mechanics Hall and
they would met on the second Wednesday of each month.
A constitution was adopted in 1955 and the Royal
Victorian Historical Society joined in 1956, and the society became incorporated
in the mid 1980’s.
Members prepared papers on various topics,
recollections of events were recorded, held essay competitions for schools on
local history, visited places of interest and in co-operation with the former
Shire of Kyneton arranged for the placing of commemorative plaques on
significant trees, {not only in the Botanical Gardens but also around the town},
the site of the old Malt house in Jennings Street {demolished in 1956}. They
also sponsored the erection of the Caroline Chisholm memorial seat {cnr Epping
& High Streets, the Major Mitchell cairn and the erection of an old gas lamp
outside the Kyneton Library in the Mechanics Reserve.
Various artifacts, pictures, papers and other
items were collected or donated and these were catalogued with the archives
beginning to take shape.
In 1959 the former Shire of Kyneton approached
members of the society to carry out a survey and classification of old
documents.
In 1964 the venue for meetings changed from the
Mechanics to the Shire Hall supper room.
In January 1968 they were advised of the
establishment of a Museum was being considered and requested representatives to
attend a meeting to review the matter and gauge interest.
In 1969 the old bluestone, former Bank of NSW
building was purchased by the shire and the Museum opened on March 1st,
1970, with members being rostered to assist with its running,
It was at this time that the societies records,
documents etc were stored at the Museum.
Since 1984 the society has supported National
Trust Heritage week with a display or with the ‘Open House’ or ‘Behind
Closed Doors’ schemes.
The establishment of the Bi-centennial Historical Research Centre was opened in September 1988 in the Kyneton Library.
In 1990 the society was granted use of the
Uniting Church Hall in Ebden Street for their meetings, but still did not have a
permanent home for their collection.
With the establishment of a branch of the
National Trust in the area conservation issues have been referred to the
committee for comment, recommendations and action.
The KHS was instrumental in the celebrations for
125 years of local government, by staging a representative display of shire
activities and memorabilia in 1990.
In the mid 1990’s after many years
‘homeless’ the shire granted a small room at the Mechanics Institute for the
society to house their collection and operate a resource centre, and so it was
that we came full circle, back to the beginnings of our formation.
Members are also involved with the Macedon
Ranges Shire Heritage council, advising and assisting with heritage issues
affecting the shire.
The shire has been assisted in preparing a
register of notable trees, street and road names. Highlighting preservation issues and the protection of
existing classified buildings has become part of the societies aims in the 21st
century.
Today the society prides itself on its
facilities for research, offering advice to a variety of community organizations
on historical matters and assisting local papers with background information for
articles, organizing events and displays, reunions and guided tours.
It also offers a service to community groups in
collating information for celebratory events,{ e.g. Kyneton Lions Club 50th
Anniversary 1953-2003, VP day celebrations Aug 15, 2005. Carlsruhe School 150th
Nov 12/13 2005, St. Paul's Church of England 150th 2006, Kyneton Primary School
150th April 7-9 2006}.
The Kyneton Historical Society Inc. is run
entirely by volunteers and receives no government funding or financial
assistance and meets its obligations by fund raising, sale of its publications,
research and donations.
How you can help us….
·
By becoming a member, considering us in bequests
and supporting our events and displays.
·
Depositing your personal records with us –
family histories, house and property details, local business records, allow us
to scan photographs of local interest.
·
Encourage organizations or clubs to deposit
their records with the society.