Explore our heritage
In Hay, heritage is interwoven with contemporary life
Hay's history is rich with characters and tales of boom and bust - of isolation and innovation. Visitors can explore the town's fascinating past by following a heritage walk, dropping into the local history section of the Hay Library, visiting one of our five museums, or simply taking a stroll around our streets, parks and riverside reserves.
The Hay Historical Society has been an important contributor towards researching and preserving Hay's history and heritage buildings. They are also concerned with the surrounding district, including the villages of Booligal, Booroorban, Carrathool, Gunbar, Maude, Mossgiel and Oxley. Their website address is http://users.tpg.com.au/hayhist/ and you can email them on hayhist@tpg.com.au. All requests for research must be addressed to The Hay Historical Society Research Services, PO Box 467, Hay, NSW, 2711.
Our heritage places
Hay has many special heritage places for you to visit, from our spectacular 1892 courthouse to our imposing railway station, evocative cemetery and much loved Sunbeam Cobb & Co coach.
It was once thought Hay would become the capital of the Riverina, and this has left us with a grand legacy of Australian architecture. Our heritage buildings reveal the ingenuity of early architects attempting to tame a harsh outback climate.
Much of the information about Hay's historic buildings comes from the Hay Historical Society's publication The Witcombe Heritage, which is available for purchase from the Hay Visitors' Centre and the Hay Historical Society's website
http://users.tpg.com.au/hayhist/.
Family History:
Hay's significance as a crossroads means many families have links to the town. You might be trying to trace your POW father, shearing grandfather, schoolteacher cousin, railwayman great grandfather, or Chinese market gardener uncle, or find out more about your family member's time here as a nurse, soldier, cook, stockman or shopkeeper.
Hay's family history records are excellent, and easily accessible at the Hay Library. The Hay Historical Society also offers a research service for a small fee.
