Royal Historical Society of Queensland
A Queensland historical society that preserves, researches, interprets and promotes the history of Queensland and the wider Pacific region.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Royal Historical Society of Queensland (RHSQ) is a not-for-profit historical organisation founded in Brisbane in 1913. Its core purpose is to advance the study and public understanding of Queensland history, while also supporting research concerning Australia and neighbouring Pacific islands. It operates as Queensland's peak body for historical societies and is the Queensland constituent member of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies. The society combines scholarly, archival, educational and heritage functions. It maintains collections of books, manuscripts, periodicals, photographs, maps, newspaper cuttings and related research material. These holdings are available through the Welsby Library and the society's resource centre, giving researchers access to a substantial body of material concerning Queensland's people, institutions, places and development. The organisation also preserves and interprets historic objects and material through its museum and exhibitions. The RHSQ is headquartered in Brisbane's Commissariat Store, one of the oldest surviving buildings associated with the former Moreton Bay penal colony. Built principally with convict labour in 1828–1829, the building is one of only two surviving structures from that colonial penal settlement. The society was granted occupation in 1976 after the building had been used for government storage and offices, and it opened the renovated premises as its headquarters in 1978. The building subsequently underwent conservation work, including changes informed by a conservation plan prepared in 1998. Flooding in January 2011 caused serious damage and required a temporary relocation. Publication has been central to the society since its early years. It began issuing a journal in 1914; the publication later became the Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, was published as Historical Papers from 1974 to 1984, and adopted the title Queensland History Journal in 2008. The journal is issued quarterly in print and online. The society also publishes a bulletin, first established in 1942, together with other historical and educational works. These publications provide an outlet for original research, historical interpretation and records of the society's activities. The RHSQ supports historical scholarship through lectures, meetings, conferences, exhibitions and public programs. It collaborates with other historical societies and cultural organisations, advocates for the historical sector and provides guidance to community groups working to preserve local history. Its recognition programs include the Fellowship created for the society's 1963 golden jubilee, the Sir William MacGregor Medal for exceptional service to the promotion of Queensland history, the annual John Douglas Kerr Medal for distinction in historiography, research and writing, and the Clem Lack Oration. The society's identity is therefore based less on commercial products than on stewardship, scholarship and public access. Its principal audiences are historians, researchers, students, members of local historical societies, heritage practitioners and members of the public interested in Queensland's past. Through its collections, publications, events, awards and advocacy, the RHSQ functions as both a learned society and a coordinating institution for Queensland's historical community.
History
The Royal Historical Society of Queensland emerged from the early twentieth-century movement to establish organised historical societies in Australia. The Australian Historical Society had been formed in Sydney in 1901 and the Historical Society of Victoria followed in 1909. Queensland subsequently developed a provisional committee to create a comparable institution. The committee prepared a constitution, enrolled prospective members and sought the Governor's patronage. The inaugural meeting took place in Brisbane in August 1913 at Albert Hall. It was chaired by Queensland Governor Sir William MacGregor. A paper on methods of historical research, with particular reference to Australia, was presented at the meeting; the constitution was adopted and the society's officers and committee were elected. Early members included Henry Alcock, a University of Queensland history lecturer and later professor; Frank Cumbrae-Stewart, a foundation registrar, librarian and law professor; Sir William MacGregor; and Alexander Melbourne, a University of Queensland historian. The organisation initially operated as the Historical Society of Queensland and later acquired the royal designation reflected in its current name. From its earliest period, the society built collections intended to support historical research. It gathered books, manuscripts, periodicals, photographs, maps and press-cutting books. A major expansion came through the contribution of Thomas Welsby, a foundation member who served as councillor, vice-president and president. During his lifetime he donated correspondence, newspaper cuttings, documents, scrapbooks and copies of his published works. His bequest of more than 2,000 volumes was combined with the society's own library. The resulting Welsby Library opened at Newstead House on 15 March 1947 and is now located on the second floor of the Commissariat Store. Publishing became a defining activity in 1914, when the society began issuing a journal. The publication later developed into the Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland. Although the society experienced a period of weakness in the late 1920s and 1930s, during which the journal was not issued from 1929 through 1936, publishing resumed and evolved over time. Between 1974 and 1984 the journal appeared under the title Historical Papers. It began appearing every three months in 1986 and was renamed Queensland History Journal in November 2008. The journal is now issued in print and online. A separate bulletin was launched in 1942 and was published ten times annually, generally monthly except in January and December. The society's institutional home is the Commissariat Store, a convict-built structure dating principally from 1828–1829. Constructed from local stone using convict labour, it served as a government store until 1960. The Queensland State Archives used the ground floor until 1968, while upper floors housed various government departments until 1976. The RHSQ received occupation of the building in 1976, carried out extensive renovations and opened it as its headquarters in 1978. A conservation plan was prepared in 1998, followed by work intended to address or reverse unsuitable alterations introduced during the 1970s renovations. The building now houses the society's museum and Welsby Library. Severe flooding in January 2011 damaged the premises and led to a temporary move. In addition to collecting and publishing, the RHSQ developed a substantial program of meetings, lectures, conferences and exhibitions. These activities allow researchers to present new work and give the wider public access to historical material. The society also works with other historical societies and cultural organisations, advocates for the historical sector and offers leadership and guidance to community groups. Recognition and scholarship programs expanded during the second half of the twentieth century. The society created a Fellowship for its 1963 golden jubilee, recognising contributors to knowledge and scholarship in Queensland history; recipients may use the post-nominal FRHistSQ. In 1973 it established the Clem Lack Oration in memory of longtime member and publications editor Clem Llewellyn Lack. In 1999 it introduced the Sir William MacGregor Medal for exceptional and outstanding service to the promotion of Queensland history. Since 2005, a joint committee with the Professional Historians Association (Queensland) has awarded the John Douglas Kerr Medal for distinction in historiography, historical research and writing. The medal commemorates historian and railway enthusiast John Douglas Kerr, who served the society as a councillor, journal editor and honorary librarian. Today, the RHSQ operates as a learned society, collecting institution, publisher, museum operator and representative body. Its work connects professional and community historians with the public, while its headquarters and collections provide a physical focus for the preservation and interpretation of Queensland's historical record.
- 2011
Flood damage to headquarters
[1]The January Brisbane flood badly damaged the Commissariat Store and prompted a temporary relocation.
- 2008
Journal renamed Queensland History Journal
[1]The society's journal adopted its current title in November.
- 2005
John Douglas Kerr Medal established
[1]The RHSQ and the Professional Historians Association (Queensland) began jointly awarding a medal for distinction in historiography, historical research and writing.
- 1999
Sir William MacGregor Medal introduced
[1]The society began awarding a medal for exceptional service to the promotion of Queensland history.
- 1998
Commissariat Store conservation planning undertaken
[1]A conservation plan was prepared and work followed to modify or reverse unsuitable alterations made during earlier renovations.
- 1986
Journal became a quarterly publication
[1]The society's journal began appearing every three months.
- 1978
Commissariat Store headquarters opened
[1]Following extensive renovations, the society opened its headquarters, museum and research facilities in the Commissariat Store.
- 1976
Occupation of the Commissariat Store granted
[1]The society received occupation of the historic Brisbane building that would become its headquarters.
- 1973
Clem Lack Oration inaugurated
[1]An annual oration was established in honour of longtime member and publications editor Clem Lack.
- 1963
Fellowship created
[1]The society established a Fellowship during its golden jubilee to honour contributions to Queensland historical scholarship.
Products and positioning
A learned society and heritage institution positioned as Queensland's peak representative body for historical societies, combining preservation of primary and secondary sources with scholarly publishing, public interpretation, education and sector advocacy.
Scholarly journal · 1914
Queensland History Journal
The society's principal scholarly periodical, publishing historical research and interpretation relating particularly to Queensland. It began in 1914 under an earlier title, went through periods of changed naming and publication frequency, and has appeared quarterly under the name Queensland History Journal since November 2008. It is available in print and online.
Society bulletin · 1942
RHSQ Bulletin
A recurring bulletin established in 1942 to communicate society activities, historical information and notices to members and the wider historical community. It was designed as a more frequent publication than the society's research journal and has generally appeared ten times per year.
Research library and archive · 1947
Welsby Library
The RHSQ's research library and archival collection contains books, manuscripts, periodicals, photographs, maps, press cuttings and other historical resources. It incorporates the substantial bequest of Thomas Welsby, whose collection included more than 2,000 volumes and additional documentary material. The library is housed in the Commissariat Store.
Museum and heritage interpretation · 1978
Commissariat Store museum and exhibitions
The society operates a museum and presents exhibitions from its historical collections at the Commissariat Store, a convict-built Brisbane building dating from 1828–1829. The site provides a public setting for interpreting Queensland history and the history of the building itself.
Educational and scholarly programs
Historical lectures and conferences
The RHSQ organises meetings, lectures and conferences at which historical research is presented and discussed. These programs connect academic historians, community researchers, heritage professionals and members of the public.
Brand decisions
2011
Temporary relocation after flood damageOtherBackground
The January 2011 Brisbane flood badly damaged the Commissariat Store, which housed the society's headquarters, museum and library.
Action taken
The society temporarily relocated while the historic premises and collections were addressed.
Aftermath
The flood became a significant operational and conservation event for the organisation and its historic home.
2008
Journal rebranded as Queensland History JournalStrategyBackground
The society's principal journal had used several titles during its history, including Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland and Historical Papers.
Action taken
In November 2008, the publication adopted the title Queensland History Journal while continuing as a quarterly research journal.
Aftermath
The journal continued in print and online as the society's principal scholarly publication.
Recent events
- 2011
Commissariat Store damaged in the 2011 Brisbane flood[1]
Other
The society's historic headquarters and resource centre suffered extensive damage during the January 2011 flood, forcing the RHSQ to relocate temporarily while recovery work was undertaken.
- 2008
Queensland History Journal adopted its current title[1]
Other
The society's longstanding historical journal adopted the title Queensland History Journal in November 2008, continuing its role as a quarterly scholarly publication.
Sources2 sources
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