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The Ipswich Historical Society (IHS) is a historical society founded in Ipswich, Australia in 1966 and is located at the Cooneana Heritage Centre in New Chum, Queensland. The aim and purpose of the Ipswich Historical Society is to collect, preserve, conserve, interpret, educate and display the social history of the Ipswich region and in doing so, present the region’s rich heritage in a building that meets all modern standards thus allowing equality of access to all with safe and friendly facilities.

History
The Ipswich Historical Society of Queensland was established in October 1966 due to growing and enthusiastic calls to “preserve the heritage of the past for the generations of the future”—sentiments which were expressed in the Queensland Times newspaper and by members of the public. Mayor James Finimore had called a meeting concerning the matter on October 10 which was met with an almost unprecedented response from the public, with many who attended expressing their sense of duty to protect and preserve Ipswich’s rich heritage.

At a meeting held on October 20 (1966), Mr. Leslie Thomas (a prominent businessman and a former alderman) moved that “an Ipswich Historical Society be founded and an interim committee be appointed to draw up a constitution and the aims for the society”. Mr. Thomas was also to be the first president of the Society. A further meeting was held on December 5, 1966 in order to discuss current issues of relevance to the Society and to form committees which were to investigate matters such as the origin of street names, early river history, and to accumulate photographs of early Ipswich.

The Limestone Mound (or 'The Old Hummock’)
The first campaign pursued by the Ipswich Historical Society was the preservation of the Limestone Mound (also known as ‘The Old Hummock’) which faced destruction and desecration at the hands of Ipswich City Council landscapers who failed to recognize its historical significance. The mound (which is adjacent to Cunningham’s Knoll) was the last trace of Ipswich’s foundation as a convict work station quarrying and burning limestone, hence the preservation of such an historically important site became a matter of priority and urgency for the Society. On December 1, 1966 the mound was almost completely leveled by a Council bulldozer, and Ipswich residents were quick to contact the Society’s president Mr. Leslie Thomas, upon which he immediately inspected the site before making an urgent appeal to the Ipswich mayor Mr. James Finimore who immediately offered his support for the cause. The Society was successful in restoring the mound and provided a plaque to commemorate the site which is still in existence today, unveiled in 1968 by Sir Raphael Cilento, the then president of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.

Other early projects pursued by the Society include the restoration of the Blackall Monument on Denmark Hill, the placing of a plaque on the “Puffing Billy” locomotive in Queens Park, and the Macfarlane Memorial in Queens Park.

Cooneana Homestead
Built in 1868 by Samuel Pearson Welsby, the Cooneana Homestead is now situated on the grounds of the Cooneana Heritage Centre and is owned by the Ipswich Historical Society. Before settling in Ipswich, Mr. Welsby had been a passenger on-board the ship "Fortitude" which arrived in Moreton Bay in 1849. The homestead is currently undergoing a conservation program and remains an ongoing project of the Ipswich Historical Society.

The Jim Donald House
Taking its name from an Ipswich resident who had a long career in the union and labour movements, the Jim Donald House was relocated from its original site at Redbank and is now situated on the grounds of the Cooneana Heritage Centre. The house features artifacts and furniture of the period of its early occupation and is open for inspection by visitors.

Mining Machinery
The collection of mining equipment that is on exhibit at the Cooneana Heritage Centre was originally located at the Kholo Mining Museum. When the facility had to be vacated, the machinery found temporary storage at Swanbank before finally finding a permanent home at the Cooneana Heritage Centre.

Museum
The Ipswich Historical Society's museum is housed in the main building at Cooneana Heritage Centre and contains collections of historical artifacts and displays (including mining equipment). The museum building was constructed in 1976 and was formerly the offices of Rhondda Collieries.

Historical Motorcycle Club Queensland
The Historical Motorcycle Club are a group associated with the Ipswich Historical Society who encourage proper restoration and preservation of Veteran, Vintage, Post Vintage, Post War, and Historic motorcycles, and participate in numerous events throughout the year. The group regularly hold meetings at their Clubhouse at the Cooneana Heritage Centre on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.00 P.M.

The Miners
Located within the museum is a display of mining equipment which was set up by a group of retired coal miners and retired mines rescue members, made possible by an agreement between the President of the Ipswich Historical Society and the State Manager of The Queensland Mines Rescue Service. The miners group now meet at the Cooneana Heritage Centre every Tuesday morning.

Spinners and Weavers
The Ipswich Historical Society Spinners and Weavers are a group who met at various locations around Ipswich until finding a permanent home at the Cooneana Heritage Centre in 2002, and enjoy working on “anything to do with textiles and fibre arts” and. The group meets every Thursday (plus the first Saturday of the month) in addition to providing workshops and events during the year.

Ipswich Genealogical Society
The first genealogical society in Queensland (when it was formed in 1977), the Ipswich Genealogical Society Inc. assists and supports people researching their family history, as well as publishing a triannual magazine: the “Bremer Echoes”. They are open every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and are located at the “Brigg House” at Cooneana Heritage Centre.