The Kew Historical Society was founded in 1958, and is one of the oldest continuing historical societies in Melbourne. For over 60 years, the Society has worked with local government and other organisations within Kew to stimulate interest in our history and heritage. The Society is affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and the Australian Museums and Galleries Association. It co-operates with other historical societies and groups across the City of Boroondara through the Boroondara Historical Societies Association.
The Society acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our premises are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.
E.J. Dower. Preparing for electric trams, Cotham Road Kew, 1913
CURRENT EXHIBITION
TRAVELLING BY TRAM: BUILDING NEW TRAM NETWORKS ACROSS BOROONDARA
The first horse trams in Kew and Hawthorn were developed between 1887 and 1890. This exhibition uses a newly donated collection of historic photographs, taken by Edgar Dower in the first decade of the twentieth century, that record the laying of tram tracks and overhead wires in the suburbs of Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. In addition to historic photographs, the exhibition includes artefacts, uniforms and equipment from the collections of the Kew Historical Society and the Melbourne Tram Museum. Download Flyer: Travelling by tram.
Level 1, Kew Court House
188 High Street KEW 3101
Fridays 11am to 1pm.
The costumes of Mary Ann Henty at Villa Alba Museum
2024 COMMUNITY HERITAGE GRANT
In 2023, Kew Historical Society was funded by the National Library of Australia for a second Significance Assessment of its collection. The items specified for assessment were the costumes and costume accessories donated to the Society by the descendants of Francis and Mary Ann Henty in 2023. The assessment was conducted by Dr Laura Jocic, an expert in colonial Australian costume.
Following the acceptance by the National Library of Australia of Dr Jocic’s Significance Assessment, a subsequent grant was sought to fund the conservation of a number of items in the collection. On 12 November 2024, the National Library announced the list of 2024 Community Heritage Grant recipients, including a grant to the Society of $19,375 for conservation of these costumes by Grimwade Conservation Services, University of Melbourne.
