Linton and District Historical Society Inc.

Overview

The Linton and District Historical Society Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Victoria, Australia. It was established in October 1981 following a public meeting aimed at gauging local interest in preserving the history of the area. The founders included Letty Armstrong and Beatrice Brewster, who emphasized the importance of documenting the local history while it was still remembered by older residents.

History

The Society's early years focused on collecting papers, photographs, and memorabilia donated by district residents. They also organized exhibitions and hosted 'Back to Linton' reunions to stimulate local interest in the Historical Society. A significant milestone was achieved in 1985 when the then Grenville Shire Council purchased Nelson's Undertakers' building, leasing it to the Society as a permanent home. The building, now known as the Letty Armstrong Resource Centre, was restored and officially opened on Australia Day in 1989, thanks in part to funding from the Australian Bicentennial Committee.

Activities and Collections

The Society is involved in various activities, including regular meetings, open days, and the publication of a quarterly newsletter, Society Notes. It has over 80 members, some of whom are from outside Linton but have family ties to the area.

The Society's collection is extensive and includes over 2,000 photographs, local documents, newspapers, and memorabilia. Key records in the collection include Linton cemetery records, Anglican baptisms (1860-1990), Roman Catholic marriages (1893-1950), Presbyterian Church communion rolls (1880-1897), and Linton State School registers (1904-2000). The Society also manages two historic buildings on Sussex Street, Linton: the Letty Armstrong Resource Centre and the restored 1874 Linton Free Library, for which it has been the Committee of Management since 1999.

Mission

The primary mission of the Society is to promote and preserve the history of Linton and its surrounding districts, including Pittong, Happy Valley, Mannibadar, Piggoreet, Golden Lake, and Pitfield. The Society strives to make this historical information accessible to both local residents and those with ties to the area from further afield.

[1] https://www.lintonhistory.org.au [2] https://www.lintonhistory.org.au/about [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/ad18fe2c-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d [4] https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/directory/listing/linton-and-district-historical-society-inc [5] https://victoriancollections.net.au/organisations/linton-and-district-historical-society-inc