History
The Berrima District Historical and Family History Society was founded in 1960 to encourage the study of Australian, local and family history and to establish a museum and a permanent archive for the preservation of the documentary and material heritage of the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
Geographical and cultural context
Collections cover the major towns of Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Robertson and Bundanoon and the many villages in the area including Avoca, Aylmerton, Balaclava, Braemar, Berrima, Burrawang, Canyonleigh, Colo Vale, Exeter, Glenquarry, Hilltop, Kangaloon, Penrose, Sutton Forest, Tallong, Wildes Meadow and Wingello.
Buildings
The Archives and Research Centre is based at the Old Council Chambers on the corner of Bowral Road and the Old Hume Highway, Mittagong. The museum, managed by the society, is located at Market Place and Bryan Street, Berrima.
Holdings
Local historical records and photographs, including:
- Manuscript collection including the Parry Papers, an important local history resource
- Biography files for hundreds of local families, including family information, press cuttings and photographs
- Photographic collection of local people and places
Local reference material, including, for example:
- Birth, death and marriage, probate and immigration indexes
- Local newspapers in hard copy and on microfilm
- Building files on local houses and public buildings
- Cemetery transcriptions for the Southern Highlands District.
- Parish and other maps, subdivision plans and various land and property records
- Rate books
Our Image Library contains more than 8,000 images of people and places relating to our area and beyond. We are gradually uploading the collection, so keep checking to look for newly available images. To search for photos of your ancestors, houses, buildings, streetscapes and more, visit our Image Library. High quality copies of all photos are available for purchase through our online shop.