The Cooktown And District Historical Society Inc

The Cooktown And District Historical Society Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Cooktown and its surrounding district in Far North Queensland, Australia. The society focuses on building and maintaining an archive of local historical materials to ensure that the heritage of the area is accessible to both current residents and future generations.

Overview

The society operates the Cooktown History Centre, which offers visitors an engaging and informative experience showcasing the region’s history through stories, photographs, interactive displays, murals, and oral histories. The exhibition follows a chronological timeline from 1770 to present times, covering significant events and themes such as the historic railway, early roads, cyclones and other natural disasters, early settler families, and the experiences of the local Indigenous peoples.

Location and Facilities

The History Centre is housed in Cooktown’s oldest building on Charlotte Street, originally constructed in 1875 as the town’s first post and telegraph office. The centre’s displays also include a detailed narrative of Sam Elliot and his association with the Wild Irish Girl Mine and Battery on the Palmer Goldfield, featuring tools used by Sam and the original gold scales utilized at the battery.

Activities and Membership

The Cooktown & District Historical Society welcomes new members at an annual subscription fee, which grants benefits such as free entry to the History Centre and discounted prices on books and research materials. The centre is open to the public from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm, although hours may vary seasonally depending on volunteer availability.

Community Role

Through its archival work and public exhibitions, the society plays an important role in educating the community about Cooktown’s diverse cultural and historical heritage, including stories about early Chinese immigrants and the gold rush era. The organization relies on volunteers and public support to continue its preservation efforts.

The Cooktown & District Historical Society exemplifies local commitment to conserving Queensland’s historical identity by maintaining a rich repository of the area's past and sharing it with a wider audience.

This article is based on information from the Cooktown History Centre and The Cooktown And District Historical Society's official resources[1][4].

[1] https://www.cooktownhistory.org.au [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/9d7ecb30-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077 [3] https://aumuseums.com/qld/cooktown-district-historical-society-inc [4] https://www.cooktownhistory.org.au/?page_id=7 [5] https://nationaltrustqld.org.au/visitor-sites/Cooktown-Museum