The Winchelsea and District Historical Society was established in 1981, for the preservation of local history.  The Society is a non-profit organization staffed by volunteers whose aim is to research and preserve the history of  the Winchelsea and District area.  The Society has rooms in the former Shire Office are open every Wednesday afternoon  1:30 - 5:00 pm  or by appointment - phone (03) 52672494 or (03) 52672363

Facilities include;

• 2 computers, printer and scanner
• Microfiche covering Geelong and surrounding cemeteries
• Early Shipping, Births, Deaths, and Marriages records
• Pioneer Index
• Microfilm of early Barrabool and Winchelsea Rate Books
• Winchelsea and surrounding area Cemetery records
• Baptism registers
• Family histories
• Marjorie Lawrence collection and audio tapes. 

Books include;

• History of the Shire.
• School Centenary.
• Deans Marsh story.

We also have Parish Plans for Winchelsea Shire and Aboriginal artefacts. Copies of early photos can be viewed and purchased at our Historical Society.     Please call and see our great display.

	Flood swept away the first Barwon Bridge in 1849.   The present bluestone bridge was opened in 1867 by the Duke of Edinburgh. (Prince of Wales.)
Beal and Trebeck built the first Barwon Inn between 1842.    It was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1843.   James Stirling purchased this, with a store and Blacksmith shop in 1853.
	In 1880 a tender of 19 pounds was accepted for lighting the township's eight street lamps..... It was not until 1923 that the Electricity Commission undertook the responsibility of street lighting.
'Ingleby' woolshed  was built in 1882 of bluestone to replace an earlier shed.  It is a  "T" shaped design reflecting success and status of the grazier of that time.  The Architect of the imposing structure was A.T.Moran.
	Mr. W. Stirling's store  included the Post Office. In 1877 the mail came  and departed one day a month, via the train.