Kempsey Museum

Kempsey Museum The Museum, housed in the unique Glenn Murcutt Building adjacent to the Dhungutti-Ngaku Aboriginal A b) The Research Department. c) The Photographic Section.

The history of the Macleay Valley is as fascinating as it is diverse and one of the best ways to appreciate it is to visit the Macleay River Historical Society's award winning Museum in South Kempsey. The Museum, housed in the unique Glenn Murcutt Building adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre, traces the valley's history from the time of the Aborigines to today. The Museum has Disabled Acces

s and Bus Groups are most welcome. The museum has three categories:

a) Collections and displays of historic artifacts. These have been selected on the basis of their interest and relevance to the Macleay district. There is an extensive collection of local history and family files in our library and record room. This service is available for anyone wishing to research local families, locations and topics. Our collection includes more than 40,000 images and photographs, most of which are fully catalogued and cross-referenced. History on the Macleay is covered here from 1830 to the present. This world-class asset is made up not only from local donations but also from several major collections of professional quality. High quality prints may be obtained at a very reasonable price. Volunteering
If you can spare a day or a few hours per week why not think about volunteering at Kempsey Museum. At Kempsey Museum, you have the opportunity of working with and learning from our experienced and qualified volunteers in various areas such as collection cataloguing, digital photography, writing and researching local history, and conservation techniques. Computer skills in areas such as databases and spreadsheets can be gained and full training is offered. Kempsey Museum recently completed the Standards Programme administered by Museums and Galleries NSW.

The Kempsey Museum is very pleased to now have on sale copies of the book written and compiled by Leanne Hickey: Toorook...
19/06/2026

The Kempsey Museum is very pleased to now have on sale copies of the book written and compiled by Leanne Hickey:

Toorooka, a History of the Upper Macleay Co-operative Dairying Company, Toorooka and Toorooka Meatworks.

As well as covering the Upper Macleay Co-operative, Leanne's book includes a wealth of information about the families of that part of our valley.

The books are on sale for $50.00, and can be obtained from Kempsey Museum during our opening hours of 10am to 4pm, 7 days per week.

As Anzac Day once again approaches, it is fitting that our community remembers the sacrifices made by those from the Mac...
19/04/2026

As Anzac Day once again approaches, it is fitting that our community remembers the sacrifices made by those from the Macleay Valley who served.

The Kempsey Museum has a range of books on sale on the local history of our valley community, including a number of books relating to those brave local individuals.

17/04/2026

Anyone interested in the history of Australian showbiz might be interested in an author talk at the Kempsey Library tomorrow, Saturday 18 April at 10am.

Jacquelin Melilli is an author and researcher of Australian entertainment history, and her talk will explore the unsung heroes of Australian showbiz from the 1920s to the 1950s.

As part of her talk, Jacqueline will share the following:

- A filmed interview of Shirley Broadway, who toured the country in the 1930s as a child vaudeville performer, and later worked with Bert Newton and Graham Kennedy.

- A filmed interview of Frank Gasser's account of surviving multiple wildcat attacks during his Circus Royale days

- The entertainers who toured to raise funds for the Association for the Advancement of the Blind

- The controversial polio therapies used by Sister Elizabeth Kenny and her nurses.

The talk is free to attend but requires booking a ticket through Kempsey Library, which can be arranged via the Kempsey Shire Library website.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of Gladstone, or sharing your knowledge of the area with others...
31/03/2026

If you are interested in learning more about the history of Gladstone, or sharing your knowledge of the area with others, here is an ideal opportunity! Mark the date: Saturday 18 April !!

Address

62 Lachlan Street
Kempsey, NSW
2440

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

02 6562 7572

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