Our Story | Centenary Cottage Museum

Our
Story

The Tenterfield and Districts Historical Society (TDHS) has as its aim and purpose to preserve, display and share the history of Tenterfield and the surrounding district. TDHS has established the Centenary Cottage Museum at 136 Logan Street, Tenterfield to display and share the history of the town and district.

The Tenterfield and Districts Historical Society is affiliated with The Australian Museum and Galleries Association Inc., the Tenterfield School of Arts Museum and works closely with other museums located in Tenterfield including the Railway museum, Returned Soldiers League and the Hospital Isolation Ward Museum. The Tenterfield Family History group is closely affiliated with TDHS and holds their monthly meetings at Centenary Cottage.

The Centenary Cottage Museum has been operating continuously since 1971.

Office bearers 2021-2022 from left to right. Louise Kear, Albert Hunter, Chris Coker, Chri

Our Team

The Museum and Society are operated by volunteers only. Volunteers are required to open and operate the museum, meet and greet visitors and provide a short welcome and explanation of the museum and its various exhibits.

Volunteers can also be tasked with many varied activities not associated with the public front of the museum if preferred. These include preservation of artefacts, cataloging, maintenance, mounting displays and creating photography or media presentations.

Volunteers are always welcome and needed. The organisation which owns its museum premises is constantly seeking funding opportunities to maintain the buildings and exhibits. It is open to using social media and technology to broaden the visibility and interactions with the public.

Chris Coker

President

Chris is a born and bred Tenterfield man who has long ties to the historical society following his mother and mother-in law's involvement over many years.

Chris is also involved in other community organisations including the fire brigade. Chris is a fine musician who is well know to the people of Tenterfield through his music, volunteering and commitments to a strong Tenterfield community.

Albert Hunter

Vice President

Albert retired to Tenterfield having originally lived in Brisbane. Albert has a love of old farm implements and machinery.

Chris Moon

Secretary

Chris and his partner Sue retired to Tenterfield during 2017 and Chris, having always had an interest in history, gravitated to the museum as a volunteer. Chris loves meeting and greeting visitors to Tenterfield and the museum.

Ms. Gudrun Geissler

Treasurer

Gudrun is German born and Queensalnd bred. She has a love of ancient history in particular and researched Egyptian religion and goddesses for her Masters degree.

She and her sister Louise chose to settle in Tenterfield because of its natural beauty and historical ambiance.

Louise Kear

Public Officer

Louise has always been interested in history of all kinds and was attracted to Tenterfield because of its historical buildings and country lifestyle.

Before retiring she spent three years as the Team Leader at the Red Cross Archives in Brisbane, capturing its history and communicating it via a blog to the wider community. Her particular interest is in women’s history.