Paterson Historical Society aims to promote and preserve the history and heritage of the Paterson district and help people find information about their forebears from the district. Our publications cover many aspects of the district's history.
Acknowledgement of Country
Paterson Historical Society acknowledges the Aboriginal people of the Paterson Valley ... read more.
Museum opening times
Paterson Court House Museum is open from 11.am to 3.00pm on Sundays.
Group visits
Groups visits outside outside normal museum opening times are welcome by prior arrangement. Email patersonmuseum@gmail.com for further details.
Special individual visits to Museum
The museum can open outside normal times for individuals or couples by prior arrangement. A fee of $50 applies and is subject to availability of volunteers. Email patersonmuseum@gmail.com.
"Paterson Historical Society – 50th Anniversary 1974-2024"
Our Society has released a new book "Paterson Historical Society – 50th Anniversary 1974-2024" by Robyn Dunlop to mark 50 years of operation. The 52-page book includes sections on the Aboriginal presence in the Paterson Valley, creation of the Courthouse Museum, publications, the work of volunteers and many other interesting facets of the 50 years of activities. It is available as a free e-book using the following link download e-book.
"Gresford to Carrabolla – People and Places"
Our new book "Gresford to Carrabolla - People and Places" by Dr Brian Walsh was launched in March 2025. It costs $30 and can by purchased from MacDonalds Book Store in Maitland, at Paterson Museum on Sundays, or at Paterson servo and Paterson cafe. It is also available by mail order in our online bookstore.
The book reveals how a whole new European Society emerged along the Paterson River above Gresford, albeit at the expense of the dispossession of Aboriginal people.
The book provides information on the land owners, convicts, immigrants and colonial born who worked on the estates or leased parts of them as tenant farmers. It features the many "selectors" who took up small blocks in the remote bushland, hills and mountains of the upper Paterson. Despite floods, poor roads and isolation, they made it their home. With hard work, bush skills and resilience, they raised families there.
The book highlights the formation of the schools, churches and post offices that became a vital part of the social fabric of the upper Paterson. It also shows the dramatic impact on the many families that lost their farms when Lostock Dam was built. This was followed by the drastic contraction of the dairy industry and the depopulation of the upper Paterson. Table of contents and index.
Aboriginal and European people in the Paterson Valley
In 2022 we released a book to recognise and reflect on 200 years since the start of large-scale dispossession of Aboriginal people from their land in the Paterson Valley when the area was thrown open to land grants.
Before and After 1822 – Aboriginal and European People in the Paterson Valley is written by historian and Society member, Dr Brian Walsh. It describes Aboriginal people in the Paterson Valley during the last Ice Age; early contact between Aboriginal and European people in the Valley from about 1800; the pace and scale of dispossession; the impact on Aboriginal people and their decline, survival and resilience into the early 1900s.
You can buy the book at Paterson Court House Museum on Sundays, at MacDonalds Bookstore in Maitland or online from the Society's bookstore.
How to join the Society
New members are always welcome, and annual membership is only $5. Please join to help us preserve the history and heritage of the district. You can join quickly and easily in our online store.
Online bookshop
Purchase our books by mail order and pay securely by credit card.
Online photo collection
Paterson town walk – phone app
Enjoy our Society's popular self-guided Paterson town walk on your mobile phone.
Travel/tourism guides from other providers
Dungog Region Horseshoe Drive. A unique tour of the region.
Upper Hunter Arts Trail Weekend.
