Mission Statement: To preserve, conserve and promote history, particularly the history of Knox and the former shires of Berwick and Fern Tree Gully, and foster a sense of history and cultural enrichment of our members and the community.

The geographic area covered, in historical sequence, includes the former Scoresby Riding of the Shire of Berwick until 1889, the Shire of Ferntree Gully until 1963, the Shire of Knox until 1969 and subsequently the City of Knox.

The City of Knox includes:

• Bayswater
• Boronia
• Ferntree Gully
• Knoxfield
• Knox Gardens
• Lysterfield
• Rowville
• Scoresby
• Studfield
• The Basin
• Upper Ferntree Gully
• Wantirna
• Wantirna South

BRIEF HISTORY

At a public meeting held in the Bayswater Public Hall on the 14th of May 1965, it was decided to form a Shire of Knox Historical Society. The inaugaral meeting of the historical society was held on the 21st of June 1965 at the home of Mr and Mrs Howard McCoomb in Bayswater. Subsequent meetings were held in the homes of members in Bayswater. As the membership increased more space was needed so the Shire Council provided a farm house in Ferntree Gully Road on the site of what is now Gilbert Park. A large barn with a garage was on this site, but it was unable to be adequately locked. The Council appointed representatives from the historical society to a committee of management for the park. Caretakers, Mr and Mrs Jack Masters, lived on the site. As some items stored in the barn disappeared, boxes and treasures were removed from the barn and stored in members homes. Historical society meetings were held at the city offices in Spring Street Ferntree Gully behind the old Shire Hall and later at the new council offices in Knoxfield. In the 1970's Ambleside Park was donated to the city of Knox by Oliver and Mabel David. This property became the headquaters for the Knox Historical Society Inc. Ambleside Park now contains the local history museum for the City of Knox.

• Compiles and maintains historical records of the Knox District
• Displays historical artefacts and photographs
• Provides and disseminates information to students, researchers and the community
• Publishes books, newsletters, calenders, photographs and other items
• Participates in historical events and local community celerbrations
• Organises speakers on historical subjects and related community interest
• Conducts excursions to places of historical interest
• Works in conjunction with other historical societies and museums

Members of the Knox Historical Society Inc. are currently undertaking the following projects:

• Showing visitors the Museum on Sundays or during the week
• Cataloging the local history collection and museum artifacts
• Developing a computer database
• Developing and maintaining museum displays
• Maintaining a garden first designed almost 100 years ago
• Developing heritage walks and tours
• Restoring outside farm equipment
• Indexing local newspapers and community newsletters

If you are interested in being involved with any of these projects, contact the society for further information.

Incorporated in Victoria, Registration No. A0010087D
Site Created: Friday, 25 September 1998
This page last modified 16 September 2022
© Copyright Knox Historical Society Inc. 2006. All rights reserved.