As Albany, Kinjarling marks 200 years of shared history, rediscover the stories that have defined our culture, our community and preserved our heritage.
Established in 1962, the Albany Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the rich and diverse history of Albany "Kinjarling". Our extensive collection, one of the oldest and most esteemed in Western Australia, captures the essence of this region’s remarkable past and its ongoing story.
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We celebrate Albany, Kinjarling by honouring the community’s varied cultural heritage and recognising the pivotal role Albany played as the site of the first European and Aboriginal settlement in Western Australia. We respectfully acknowledge the Menang Noongar people, the Traditional Custodians of this land and their enduring connection to Kinjarling.
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Through our museums, archives, exhibitions and community initiatives, we invite you to discover the enduring story of Albany, Kinjarling — a place where history, culture and community intertwine. Experience the people, events and moments that have shaped our shared heritage and continue to define who we are today.
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CELEBRATE 2026 ALBANY
Old Albany
Celebrating Albany’s Bicentenary Through the Lens of History.
We are incredibly proud to be a major sponsor of a remarkable new book commissioned for the Albany Bicentenary. This publication, by renowned local historian John Dowson, offers a profound exploration of Albany's rich history, marking a significant milestone in Western Australia's first bicentenary.
Our partnership with John Dowson spans over several years, including his acclaimed book, Old Albany. This earlier work presented over 250 original photographs from 1850 to 1950, capturing the essence of Albany's early days. Dowson’s meticulous research and dedication to preserving local heritage have made him a trusted collaborator.
In 1963, Postmaster, Mr. Wally Offer presented a comprehensive and captivating account of the long and rich history of Albany's postal and telecommunications services
Major Doctor Ingoldby had been severely wounded at the notorious Battle of Koster River in the western Transvaal, South Africa on 21st-23rd July 1900.
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Sydney, November 1826. The newspapers eagerly reported the departure of an Expedition to King George’s Sound including many details of the brig, Amity.
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A fascinating and enlightening in-depth discovery of the extraordinary Menang Noongar people and Tommy King. With diplomacy, tact and loyal to their country, culture and human-kind.​
For a man who held a highly responsible position of authority and had a successful military career spanning twenty-five years, there is scant recognition of Captain Wakefield’s legacy.​
A visionary vanguard, who with the assistance of his officers, the convicts and the Menang people, laid the foundation for the first settlement in Western Australia.​
MARITIME HISTORY
The Batelier Bros.
Claude and Victor, the Albany brothers whose art chronicled a vibrant era of Western Australian maritime life.
In the early 20th century, the port town of Albany, Western Australia was a bustling hub of maritime activity. Naval vessels, merchant ships and ocean liners regularly docked at the port and anchored in King George Sound. Their comings and goings watched by curious locals and wandering artists and among the most dedicated of these observers was Claude James Batelier (1886-1971), a quiet, talented man and victor George Batelier (1882-1952) who spent their life documenting Albany’s ships and the every changing horizon through delicate watercolours, sketches and postcards.