On 8 August 1967, a group of Walgett Shire residents established a Historical Society for Walgett. Mr Jack Baker was elected the first President. The Society met at the RSL Board room until Council offered the Old Shire Chambers to Walgett District Historical Society as a museum and headquarters and the first meeting there took place in February 1969.

The old Council Chambers was the first Council building, built in 1913, which housed the Shire Council until 1966 when the Council moved into the new building across the street. This old building, reputedly to have been built from ash bricks, is a heritage building.The public were advised that the Historical Society was open to receive articles or donations towards the Historical Society Museum. We are still collecting what we can to build our display.

Over the years the Museum has collected a large and varied array of artifacts for display. The Frederick York Wolseley hand pieces, from the very early experimental models to the successful later models are all on show. Our model Wolseley Shearing Shed is set up as the real thing with the shearing machinery, sheep pens, wool scales, wool press, wool table, Wolseley engine as well as hand turned shearing gear.

We are in the process of relocating an earth scoop designed by Fred Wolseley to Trevallion Park so that it will be there for the public and tourists to see. Another earth scoop, designed by Robert Savage is still on show at the Society.We have an enormous number of photographs, lots of publications, and objects of all descriptions to be viewed by our visitors.

We are asked by people to research information on families, where they lived, where they are buried etc. Other research is also requested, for example, when were certain buildings constructed, where were defunct buildings and structures no longer in evidence, situated.

The Society holds one major exhibition each year and several smaller local and topical displays.

Walgett District Historical Society meets once a month on the 4^th Saturday at 10.00am at the rooms in the Old Council Chambers, Fox Street, Walgett. All welcome. The Annual General Meeting is in October.

A copy of our Strategic Plan is available here (PDF format).

Please contact WDHS if you are interested in becoming a member, if you have photographs or artifacts to donate to our museum or for any other queries.