From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop windows and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library.Born digital series of photographs of an exhibition focusing on the World War I work of the Kew photographer, Josiah Earl Barnes, also known as 'the embarkation photographer'. All the images in the exhibition were lent by three of his descendants. The exhibition formed the Kew Historical Society's major contribution to the Gallipoli and Beyond Commemorations. photographers - kew (vic) - josiah earl barnes, j.e. barnes - the embarkation photographer, australian photography - world war 1 - 1914-1918, wwi

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.The house in Gladstone Street, Kew, rented by the family of Josiah Barnes until his death in 1921. J.E. Barnes, also known as the embarkation photographer, was Kew's most significant photographer."Home of Mr. Barnes photographer. He took many school photos. Gladstone St., Kew. Morwell Hodges mentions him in book. One of his daughters was the well known Sister Gertrude of St Georges"josiah 'earl' barnes, j.e. barnes, gladstone street (kew), dorothy rogers

"BARAMBAH A37 HMAT" Australian Government / 1912 built as the "Hobart" a cargo steamship for/ the German-Australian line, Hamburg. In 1914 seized at Melbourne and refitted as a Troop transport, renamed "Barambah" and given the prefix A37. Remained in such capacity until 23 May 1918 then transferred to Commonwealth Government Line of Steamers fleet. In early 1925 sold to North German Lloyd, Bremen and renamed "Justin", until scrapped May 1935. The original photograph was by J.E. Barnes of Kew who was also known as the embarkation photographer ( see also Kew Historical Society entries on Vic Collections) This photograph of significance and interest as it is believed to be Port Melbourne in 1914 quite close to the Mission to Seamen at PM who may have had the mission facilities used by the crew of this ship. It shows: the nature of a small steamship used for troop movement 1914, also some of the family groups gathered to farewell loved ones departing for action during WW1. The engineers of the Barambah donated money to the Mission in 1917 (Jottings)Black and white landscape orientation photographic print of steam ship at dock with crowds of people waiting dockside. The print is housed in a plain black frame with glazing, mountboard support with composite board backing 4 removable clips and hanging system composite backing with angled freestanding foot.printed Label on back of print and handwritten label on back of frame: " BARAMBAH / A37 HMAT / Australian Government / 1912 built as the Hobart a cargo steamship for/ the German-Australian line, Hamburg...." (see also History and Significance this record for full details)s.s. hobart, s.s. justin, troop embarkation ww1, j.e. barnes, a37 hmat, s.s. barambah

Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed as well as evidence relating to surveyors and real estate and financial agents. The numerous subdivision plans in the Kew Historical Society's collection represent working documents, ranging from the initial sketches made in planning a subdivision to printed plans on which auctioneers or agents listed the prices for which individual lots were sold. In a number of cases, the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection includes a photograph of a house that was also for sale by the agent. These photographs provide significant heritage information relating house design and decoration, fencing and household gardens. The photograph is also aesthetically significant as it was taken by J. E. Barnes, a nationally significant photographer. He was the most important photographer to have worked in Kew. He was active as a photographer in the district from c.1906 until his death in 1921. Best known as 'the Embarkation Photographer' (see the Australian War Memorial collection), Josiah Earl Barnes was also the official photographer employed by the Borough (and later Town, then City) of Kew. He clearly also completed commercial jobs for local businesses, as is the case in this photograph of a house for a local real estate and financial agent. A modest weatherboard house with rough-cast rendered walls. The gabled entrance incorporates elements of the Japanese aesthetic. The strong lines of the dark timber gable are reinforced by the colour and shape of the pickets in the fence. In contrast to an earlier period, the chimneys appear truncated. The use of extensive double-hung sash windows in the front rooms reflects a new interest in light in houses. The use of separate sunshades over windows in an earlier period is here replaced by an extension of the roofline over the window. The photographer Josiah Barnes died in 1921; so, the photograph of the house must predate this date. The location of the house, which was advertised for sale, has to date not been identified. Illegible inscription. Photographer's information on mount.josiah earl barnes, j e barnes, photography - kew, interwar housing - victoria, 1920s housing - kew

Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed as well as evidence relating to surveyors and real estate and financial agents. The numerous subdivision plans in the Kew Historical Society's collection represent working documents, ranging from the initial sketches made in planning a subdivision to printed plans on which auctioneers or agents listed the prices for which individual lots were sold. In a number of cases, the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection includes a photograph of a house that was also for sale by the agent. These photographs provide significant heritage information relating house design and decoration, fencing and household gardens. The photograph is of additional aesthetic significance as it was photographed by J. E. Barnes. Josiah Earl Barnes is a nationally significant photographer. He was also the most important photographer to have worked in Kew. He was active as a photographer in the district from c.1906 until his death in 1921. Best known as 'the Embarkation Photographer' (see the Australian War Memorial collection), J. Earl Barnes was also the official photographer employed by the Borough (and later Town, then City) of Kew. He clearly also completed commercial jobs for local businesses, as is the case in this photograph of a house for a local real estate and financial agent.A photograph, mounted on board of a double fronted Federation-era brick villa in Kew, photographed for a local real estate agent and financier by J. E. Barnes of Kew. On the reverse of the photograph is a subdivision plan for the Normanby Estate, East Kew - 2016.0039.1. As can be seen from the image, there is a large tear on the surface of the photograph.The brown card on which the photograph is mounted includes the following handwritten description, which may aid the identification of the house: "Kew, 3 minutes from tram, 8 roomed DF Brick Villa, tile roof including two attics, sleepout, bathroom, heater, E Light, Entrance Hall, double doors, leadlights, laundry, garden, lawns, land 75 x 170, 1975 pounds". Also photographers inscription on mount, lower left: J. E. Barnes / Photo / Phone 1966 Haw. KEW.j. e. barnes, josiah earl barnes, j. earl banes - photographer, architecture - federation style, houses - kew, real estate photographs