Raymond Terrace & District Historical Society Inc.

Est. 1974

Sketchley Cottage logo

Linking Yesterday with Tomorrow

New Constitution (pdf)
Passed at the Special General Meeting on Friday the 19th of August, 2011

About The Society

The Society runs many events throughout the year, and we will advertise special events here. We also provide details of how to become a member of the Society, and provide a brief outline of our history.

Upcoming Events Schedule

One great way to keep up to date with what's happening with the Society is to 'Like' our Facebook Page, or follow our Twitter account @rths_ Follow rths_ on Twitter

Special Event - Plant Sale - Saturday 30th September, 10am - 2pm Held at Sketchley Cottage and Museum, 1 Sketchley Street, Raymond Terrace. See Facebook for more details
AGM - 18th February 2023, at 9am Held at Sketchley Cottage and Museum, 1 Sketchley Street, Raymond Terrace.
7th October 2023, at 10am General Meeting - Meeting Room at Library, Raymond Terrace. All members welcome to attend.
4th Sunday of the Month, 10am - 2pm Sketchley Cottage and Museum open, 1 Sketchley Street, Raymond Terrace.
1st & 2nd Saturday of the Sept/Oct (2023) School Holidays, 10am - 2pm Sketchley Cottage and Museum open, 1 Sketchley Street, Raymond Terrace.

Society Membership

Membership is by application and is open to all who support the objectives of the Society. Local members are encouraged to participate in duties related to the care and maintenance of Sketchley Cottage, and also to volunteer when the Cottage is open to the public. Members are also encouraged to volunteer at the Research Room.

Joining Fee $5.00
Single Adult Membership $25.00
Family Adult Membership - Max 2 Persons $40.00
Single Concession (Pensioner) $20.00
Family Concession (Pensioner) - Max 2 Persons $30.00

Annual membership is due at the start of each year, as our financial year runs Jan to Dec. For more information about joining the Society, please contact us.

Society History

The first general meeting of the Society was held on 10th February 1975. It is noticeable that the initial aims and objectives were directed towards research and the establishment of a Museum.

After protracted negotiations with members of the Sketchley family, the slab cottage which had been their family home since the mid 1840s, was donated to the Society and transported from near Seaham to its present site in 1977. Over the subsequent years it was adapted to serve as a cottage museum, with one portion set up as a period living area and the other to serve as a display of miscellaneous historic items. The museum building was completed in 1988, and made possible by the permission of the Dept. of Education to lease onto adjoining school land.

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