The Lilydale & District Historical Society was formed in 1971 to help plan and mount suitable displays for the Shire of Lillydale’s Centenary in February 1972. They opened and operated the Lilydale & District Historical Museum in the old Lillydale Shire offices in Castella Street from 1976 to 1989. The custodian of the collection today is the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum.

Since 1971, the society has gathered and maintained its own archives of the people, places and events of Lilydale and the surrounding districts of Chirnside Park, Coldstream, Yering, Gruyere, Killara, Seville, Silvan, Montrose and Kilsyth.

Besides their extensive files based on families, township, places, groups and events, we have several collections which can be assessed by the community at the Old Lilydale Court House during opening hours. These include:

• Letters, documents and other paper objects relevant to the district.
• More than 4000 images in their photographic collection in negative, digital and paper format.
• Dame Nellie Melba files and images.
• Photographic collection of Jack Lundy-Clark.
• Copies of the Lilydale Express newspaper from 1886 through to today.
• Microfilm copies of the Evelyn Observer 1882 to 1888.
• Microfilm copies of the Lilydale Mail 1929.
• Copy of the Lilydale Cemetery Burial Registers.
• Photographs of the headstones at Lilydale Cemetery from 1864- 1931.
• Index of births, deaths and marriages reported in the Lilydale Express.
• Minute books of various local organisations.

The archive is open Fridays from 1 to 4 pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 11 are to 4 pm.

Postal address:
P.O. Box 834 Lilydale Vic. 3140