Invergowrie

Hawthorn 1863

Governor Hotham Hotel

Hawthorn Football Club

Hawthorn Fire Station

Electric Tram 1913

 MEET US AT OUR ROOMS

Do you have burning research questions you need answers to? We will be at our Society rooms each 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 10 am to 1 pm. If you can’t make it in person, email us your queries. We can help you find the information you need to make your next breakthrough!

Welcome

The Hawthorn Historical Society was formed in 1974. Our members are committed to exploring, preserving and sharing the community’s history and heritage. We hold frequent events, including talks, walking tours and displays. We also conduct research, help to answer queries from the public and publish historical publications and a quarterly newsletter.

Our Historical Society is affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

We need your help

Your financial membership will enable us to achieve our goals, to improve community access to the historical resources and support the ongoing work of our volunteers.

The donation of documents, family histories, photos and memories of events in Hawthorn is always welcome.

If you have an interest in history, time to help or have research, photographic, secretarial or IT skills we want to hear from you.

The material on this site is archived by the State Library of Victoria. Contributors agree to their work being available to the public. Read our Privacy Policy.

Coming Events

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Facebook

At the end of 2024 we became aware of the passing of Ron Welsh, who although not a member of the Hawthorn Historical Society, had been a wonderful contributor and supporter of this facebook page. Ron was born during the war in 1942 and lived in Roslyn Street, Hawthorn East, attending the Presbyterian kinder, Auburn South primary and Swinburne Tech. He had an excellent memory of his life in Hawthorn and his posts were always interesting, generous and insightful. We acknowledge and are grateful for the many posts and photos that he shared with us, all of which have enriched our history community.Thanks also to Graeme Nitz for keeping us informed. ... See MoreSee Less
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Welcome back to 2025 and more sharing of Hawthorn's heritage, people, places. This is the inside of the Glenferrie Theatre, built in 1912. Before it was later replaced by The Glen Palais, The Glen Theatre, Bull and Bush, Naughty Nineties Theatre Restaurant and then finally the Lido. In some parts of the building today you can see remnants of the distinctive ceiling. Image from the Cinema And Theatre Historical Society. ... See MoreSee Less
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The Hawthorn Historical Society would like to thank you all for your support and your many contributions throughout 2024. Through your involvement we build a sense of community and develop an understanding of the past and where we stand today. We wish everyone a joyful Christmas and peaceful New Year. We are looking forward to sharing more of Hawthorn's history and heritage with you again in 2025 after a short break. MERRY CHRISTMAS! ... See MoreSee Less
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Then and Now - what a transformation. Glenferrie Road pre 1913 looking south towards Burwood Road. No spire on Immaculate Conception. All of the buildings have lost their original verandahs and the urns from the parapets. The same location in October 2015. Both images - Hawthorn Historical Society collection. ... See MoreSee Less
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The Palace Theatre opened in October 1916 and was designed by Christopher Cowper. This is what the building looked like on the corner of Linda Crescent and Glenferrie Rad. It was hugely popular in its day. It closed in 1965 and now Coles Supermarket occupies the site. One hundred and four years ago tonight this is what was being offered and you could have been ushered to your seat by one of these lovely ladies. Hawthorn Historical Society Collection. ... See MoreSee Less
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