About The Blue Mountains Historical Society
The Blue Mountains Historical Society was established in 1946 by the Blue Mountains Council, later moving to the historic cottage Tarella, which is now used as a museum and is open to the public on the last Sunday of each month from January to November.
The Society is housed in a modern building with research rooms, library, kitchen and meeting rooms adjacent to Tarella.The Hobby’s Reach research centre and the historic cottage Tarella are two hidden treasures situated on the original road over the Blue Mountains constructed by William Cox in 1814. They are situated on one and a half hectares of gardens and grounds.Lieutenant Thomas Hobby constructed the straight section of road directly outside our premises and we recognise that fact by naming the research centre Hobby’s Reach.The Blue Mountains Historical Society Management Committee, made up of volunteer members, oversees the operation of both the Hobby’s Reach Research Centre and the Tarella Museum.
Hobby’s Reach Research Centre
The Research Centre’s normal opening hours are
each Tuesday and Friday from 10.00am to 2.00pm from mid January to mid December. During these times, members undertake research and work to maintain and develop the Society’s resource collections. Members of the public are also welcome to visit during these times to seek research assistance on matters of historical interest to them.
Meetings
Monthly meetings are held at Hobby’s Reach on the first Saturday of each month from February to November at 10.30am, when a guest speaker usually gives a talk on a matter of historical interest. Tea and coffee are served from 10am.
Excursions
Excursions to places of historical interest in the Blue Mountains and further afield are held most months.
Newsletter
Hobby’s Outreach, published bi-monthly, keeps members advised of coming speakers and activities. An additional brief news bulletin is emailed to members most months.
Publications
The Society and its members publish books about Wentworth Falls, the McLaughlin Family, Blue Mountains Historical Society and a variety of other aspects of Blue Mountains history and the history of Australia.
Most of these titles are sold in the Hobby’s Reach Research Centre.
The Society is housed in a modern building with research rooms, library, kitchen and meeting rooms adjacent to Tarella.The Hobby’s Reach research centre and the historic cottage Tarella are two hidden treasures situated on the original road over the Blue Mountains constructed by William Cox in 1814. They are situated on one and a half hectares of gardens and grounds.Lieutenant Thomas Hobby constructed the straight section of road directly outside our premises and we recognise that fact by naming the research centre Hobby’s Reach.The Blue Mountains Historical Society Management Committee, made up of volunteer members, oversees the operation of both the Hobby’s Reach Research Centre and the Tarella Museum.
The Research Centre’s normal opening hours are each Tuesday and Friday from 10.00am to 2.00pm from mid January to mid December. During these times, members undertake research and work to maintain and develop the Society’s resource collections. Members of the public are also welcome to visit during these times to seek research assistance on matters of historical interest to them.
