Our Story
The Birkenhead Heritage Society was founded in 1979 by a group of enthusiastic people interested in the past history of the area and determined to see history and heritage preserved for future generations.
We run a museum from our Farrington House premises, containing many fascinating and precious artefacts from our area's past. The Museum is open to the general public every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month between the hours of 2pm till 4pm.
One of our key objectives is fostering children's interest in their heritage. The museum can be opened by arrangement during the week for school classes and other interested groups by contacting any of the committee members. They will be on hand to talk about the museum, early times in the district and to answer any questions.
The Society holds a function each month, alternating interesting speakers on historical themes, with bus trips to places with historical interest. The Society also participates in Auckland Council’s annual Heritage Festival to celebrate and share our city’s rich heritage.
Anyone interested and enthusiastic about preserving Birkenhead’s history as part of our heritage, is invited to join the Society. A very warm welcome awaits you.
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Please note that you are welcome to use historic images from our website but please acknowledge 'Birkenhead Heritage Society' when you do.
A Notice To Committee Members
March 1980
We came into being at a public meeting convened by Mr Keith Rogers for the Beach Haven Residents Association chaired by the Mayor Mr Graham Stott, at St Andrews Hall Hinemoa Street on Thursday 31 May 1979, attended by about 70 People including a small party from Devonport there to give the benefit of their experience in founding a short time previously the Devonport Historical and Museum Society.
Some key dates from the past...
18/6/1979: First Committee Meeting, thence forward on the third Monday of each month, rent free at “the house” Birkdale Road.
21/6/1979: Rules drawn up by a select committee comprising Messrs Crocombe, Farrington and Tanner.
28/8/79: All formalities finally satisfied for the lodging of an application for incorporation.
25/10/1979: A one day display of artifacts of historical interest. Set up in Highbury to attract public notice and gain members.
12/11/1979: Death of our first President Mr Cyril Crocombe aged 63.
16/11/1979: Certificate of Incorporation received.
29/11/1979: $500 grant made by Council under it L.R & D Scheme.
26/11/1979: Liaison with Birkdale College (now Birkenhead College) history class - Crocombe Memorial History Prize to be awarded annually.
20/12/1979: All day at the mobile shop, Highbury, for fundraising and to show the banner.
18/2/1980: Mr Cliff Utting donated the use of his small shop in Mahara Avenue as a headquarters (and a small museum).
10/3/1980: An invitation was extended and accepted to help with others in the formation of the Mayors Centennial Committee. Other matters to attract attention and research have been the Church Cemeteries, the Chelsea Cottages, and the Kay Park memorial.
