Tamworth Historical Society (THS) is celebrating its 67th year in 2024, with 51 years at the Calala Museum site in Denison Street. The Society was formerly established in 1957 as the Peel Valley Historical Society, becoming THS in 1973.
Our Society manages the Calala Cottage Museum complex which includes ‘Calala’, townhouse of Hon. Philip Gidley King, Tamworth’s first mayor (1876-1881). After many years of restoration work by THS members and volunteer support from local service clubs, the Museum opened to the public in 1976.
So beautiful, like travelling back in time.
Tamworth Historical Society is a voluntary not for profit organisation committed to the conservation, interpretation and promotion of history and heritage in the Tamworth Region.
The Society collects, preserves and archives a very large collection of fascinating objects including photographs, maps, letters, books, textiles, furniture, agricultural equipment, early cameras and communication devices, signs and various ephemera totaling over 20,000 items.
- Calala Cottage
- Slab Hut
- Moonbi Beehive Schoolhouse
- Dalyville
- Chaffey
- Gatehouse
- Coach House
- Hill Collection
-
King Collection
Two of the main objectives of THS are to preserve our built heritage and make our collections accessible. Founding members and others were very enthusiastic about establishing a folk museum in the old and tenanted Calala House site in West Tamworth, with its original Slab Hut (circa mid 1800s) and Calala House (1875).
Tamworth Municipal Council (now Tamworth Regional Council) – owners of the Museum site – granted trusteeship of Calala House to the Society in 1971.
Work began first on restoring the old Slab Hut on the site which was opened to the public in 1974.
The last tenants moved out of Calala House in 1974. The Society worked with many local service groups and businesses to open Calala as a Museum in 1976.
We give guided tours
The Society holds monthly meetings with guest speakers, open to the public (free).
During the year Society members organise events for Heritage Week and hold an open day at the Museum – the Spring Fair in September. Check the calendar for dates.
Many other activities are held during the year. The Museum is an ideal venue for a variety of events.
- Monthly meetings with guest speakers
- Heritage Week
- Spring Fair
- Ongoing research & publications
- Hosting school groups throughout the year
- Morning teas for family reunion groups
- Hosting wedding photography
Amazing. Thanks to John for showing us around.
Good to see old Tamworth again.
Wonderful display and tour. We loved it. Very interesting.
What a wonderful place to come visit & see all of this wonderfully presented stuff.
Very thorough walk through history – learned a lot. Thank you.
Fabulous conducted tour by Peter.
Membership is open to all people interested in history, heritage and supporting the Tamworth Historical Society. There are many active volunteer roles on our various committees for those with the time and passion. We also encourage any form of participation, from any age person. You do not have to live in the area to be a member.
Please contact us by email or telephone and we will send a membership application to you.
- Bi-monthly newsletter delivered to your post box or by email
- Free entry to the Museum including events
- New like-minded friends
- Opportunities to undertake research, assist with collection maintenance and cataloguing
- Become part of an active community group
- Your support keeps our Society alive, making possible educational experiences for school children and adults.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Adults $20.00
Family $30.00
Students $10.00
LIFE SUBSCRIPTIONS
Adult $154 Family $226
Parking for cars and coaches available in Denison Street, directly outside the entrance to the Museum, including designated mobility permit parking.
There are one or two shallow steps inside some of the Museum buildings and a step up or down to access a few of the buildings. Stairs lead onto the verandah of the Moonbi Beehive Schoolhouse (see the images of the school on this site). If you have concerns about steps and stairs please get in touch.
The Museum site is a non-smoking area.
Food & drinks are not normally available at the Museum, except by prior arrangement (events and groups).
Public Toilets with wheelchair access are available.
Donations are always gratefully received. We are a non-profit organisation dependent on fund raising through membership fees, Museum entry fees, small grants, publication sales and through special events such as the Spring Fair and Heritage Week walks.
Please contact our President by email.
NOTE. Information on donations of objects and material for our collections can be found here.