The Warrnambool & District Historical Society (WDHS) was founded in 1966 with the object of gathering information and items of local historical significance and preserving them for the enjoyment of future generations.

The resource material held by Warrnambool & District Historical Society is a vast collection and includes:

• The Camera Remembers – with index
• Books on local history – family, churches, schools, shipwrecks, shipping, etc
• Books of historical significance
• Maps and charts
• Indexes to some Early Warrnambool newspapers
• Documents, illuminated addresses, certificates and legal papers of local significance, dockets, labels, programs, tourist brochures, cards, invitations, letterheads
• Ledgers, correspondence, letter books -— from early local organisations
• Music – sheet, record, wax cylinders
• Local history, Business and Occupations, Housing Files – WDHS share resources with Warrnambool Family History Group giving access to their records
• Beattie & Phillips and Guyetts undertakers’ records
• People files – on early settlers and local residents
• Photographs, postcards, albums – over 2000 (including Henri Worland collection)
• Artefacts of local significance
• Scrapbooks with newspaper cuttings – indexed
• Badges, medals, coins
• Records of births, deaths, marriages
• Church records
• Cemeteries
• Shipping
• Scan pro for microfiche and microfilms

Research facilities are located at History House and Flagstaff Hill Mechanics’ Institute.

The collections may be accessed during opening hours. Attendants are on hand to assist with enquiries.

Onsite research incurs an hourly rate of $35 or part thereof, plus copying and printing costs.

Remote research enquiries are conducted by their research team. Cost will be calculated at $35 per hour or part thereof for research, additional costs for printing, packaging and postage.

An Enquiry form can be sent to History House P.O Box 731 Warrnambool or online.

Postal Address:
PO Box 731 Warrnambool VIC 3280