The Australian Historical Records Society existed in Ballarat between 1896 and 1906. They were one of Australia's first historical societies, and were in the position to still be able to talk to early pioneers. They invited such pioneers to either submit letters or memoirs, or to address the Society's meetings, where their reminiscences were taken down in shorthand and later typed up. The Society also attempted to preserve memorabilia from Ballarat's early days, but on the disbanding of the group in 1906, materials were stored at the Ballarat Town Hall and were later lost. It is not known how the papers made their way to the then Ballarat Municipal Library, but they have been part of the Library's collection for many years.Thomas Bath came to Australia in 1849, establishing a butchering establishment at Geelong. He mined during the rushes at various sites, eventually coming to Ballarat where he established a hotel now known as Craig's Royal Hotel. He held the first publican's license on Ballarat (1854) and his hotel was known as The Ballarat, later changed to Bath's Hotel; after the sale to Mr Craig in 1857 Thomas Bath established his farm Ceres, at Learmonth. Thomas Bath was instrumental in the formation of Ballarat and was a champion of all public institutions. He died in 1901. These reminiscences appear to have been recorded by the AHRS rather than Mr Bath writing them himself.goldrush, sailing ships, coach fares

The garage was located in Bath Lane and was once the Cobb & Co. Letting Stables. Adam Lindsay Gordon lived in a cottage behind the stables. The Town Hall Hotel can be seen in the background. This was in the Ballarat Homecoming publication.j.mcdonald, motor garage, bath lane, cobb & co, adam lindsay gordon, town hall hotel, building, vehicle, commercial, ballarat, ballarat homecoming

This building was located at 307 Sturt Street.owen's sports store, j. brehaut tobacconist, ballarat, building, commerical, costume

James & Robert Allen at their drapery and millinery shop. The premises were on Main Road. j. allen & son, james allen, robert allen, building, manufacturing, commerical, drapery, millinery, main road, ballarat east

The store was located on the corner of Grant and Bond Streets. j. ritchie family grocery store, grant street, bond street, building, commerical, advertising, vehicle, work

The shop was located on Armstrong Street. Two of the men pictured are James Burt & Gordon Veal.james veal, armstrong street, building, commerical, persons, shop, butcher

The store was located on Sturt Street and appears to be decorated for the Ballarat Centenary Celebrations.j. ewin & sons bookseller & stationers, sturt street, ballarat centenary celebrations, building, commerical, store

Plate 177 Chuck Photo Series.j. white, ashford vale, farming, building, private dwelling, persons, costume

Plate 227 Chuck Photo Series. j. king, bridge street, building, commerical

j. miller & co, manufacturing, building, persons

Plate 253 Chuck Photo Seriesj. whittle, sturt street, building, commerical, shop

Sign-Writer, Decorator, Painter and Paperhanger. Plate 308? Chuck Photo Series.j. halliday, albert street, sebastopol, building, commerical

Home of Patrick Davin, owner of Davin's Dairies.davin pj, dairies