The Williamstown Historical Society was established in 1956 to collect, record, preserve and promote our local community history. A museum opened in 1963 in the Williamstown Mechanics Institute building.

Our society

We are a member-driven organization, operating on a non-profit basis and overseen by a dedicated committee. Our volunteers play a vital role in conducting research, archiving and preserving a growing collection.

The collection includes photographs, documents, and artefacts from the 1800s to the present day, as well as published works related to the town’s history. 

Williamstown was established as a “government town” with Immigration, pilots, customs, water police, tugboats, boat-building and shipbuilding, Ports and Harbour yard, Astronomical Observatory, Railway workshops, Victorian Navy, Militia, Artillery, Rifle Range along with iron foundries, petroleum facilities, S.E.C. power station, etc.

Travellers to Williamstown have long been attracted to the diverse collection of historically significant buildings in the area. The local papers reported visits by many groups from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria over the years, which contributed to the formation of a society to act as the custodian of local history.

Our history

The idea of establishing a local historical society and a small museum was first discussed in the 'Williamstown Advertiser' on 24th October 1936. However, it took another 20 years to realize this idea.

The inaugural meeting of the Historical Society of Williamstown was held on 13th July 1956 in the Mechanics Institute. The Williamstown Council requested a local historical society be formed and affiliated with the Royal Historical Society.  The Williamstown Arts Council organised the meeting and a general invitation was extended to anyone interested. The guest speaker was the President of the Royal Historical Society, Mr G.R Leggett.

From The Williamstown Advertiser, 3 August, 1956

'At a meeting of the Historical Society of Williamstown on 26th July, the discussion turned to the evergreen question – Where to erect the time ball? As a site most appropriate the Society favours The Strand in the vicinity of the Cenotaph.

Part of the Society’s programme is to collect and record all facts relating to the past in this city, and owing to the wide range of Williamstown’s history, sub-committees were formed. Marine research will be in the capable hands of Captains H. Watson, Molyneux and A. Goodale, while personal histories will painstakingly be followed by Mrs. S. Donaldson, Miss M. Philip and Mrs. J. Wallace. Residents can help by writing what is known about such subjects as: Old Identities and Families, Churches, Ships, Old Buildings, Street-Names, and Notable Happenings. Write a story and send it to the Society. Membership is now open to all interested.  Fees are 5/- per annum, with no joining fee. Contributors of articles, etc., are asked to address them to Mr. J. H. Davey, Hon. Secretary'

The inaugural committee comprised Captain Hartley R. Watson, Cr. W.L Floyd, Mr A.J. Fowler,  Mr J.H Davey, Mr J.A Harland, Captain G.A. Molyneux, Captain A. Goodale, Mr H. Morwick, Mrs S.A.S Donaldson, Mrs C Lindsay, Mrs W James, Miss M.L. Philip, Miss J.G. Wallace, Mr W. Evans.