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
In 2022 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.
"My Largs" by Helen Russell
In Spring 2022 Paterson Historical Society released a new book containing a detailed history of Largs and its people. My Largs was written by Helen Russell, who is a long-term Largs resident and Society member. The book was launched in November 2022 by Jenny Aitchison MP, Member for Maitland.
The book contains details of the first land grantees, the early Scots, German and Irish settlers, plus the history of Largs' churches, schools, hotels, businesses and organisations. It is packed with details of the people that lived, worked and socialised in the village, including personal insights about the impact of floods and world wars. My Largs has 174 pages, including many photos, maps and names of convicts, immigrants and soldiers.
"My Largs" retails for $30.00 and is on sale at McDonalds bookstore High Street Maitland, Largs General Store, Largs Hairdresser, Paterson Court House Museum on Sundays and online from the Society's bookstore.
Aboriginal and European people in the Paterson Valley
In early 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.
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
Go-Drivin – Dungog. An online travel guide to Dungog and surrounds.
Go-Drivin – Clarence Town. An online travel guide to Clarence Town and surrounds.
