The Society was formed on a motion of Alderman E. Hearne, after the Mayor, R.B. Goldsby called a public meeting. Along with a few enthusiasts the Society was formed on Tuesday 6th May, 1947, under affiliation with the Royal Australian Historical Society. It was to be called the Bathurst District Historical Society. The first executive was the Mayor, Alderman Goldsby, President; Secretary, Mr. R.T. Hole, and the Committee Rev. A. Dougan, Dr. R.V. Mulvey, H. Sambrook, N. Rutherford and Lionel Hawkins.

In 2012 the Society has been operating for over 65 years. In that time its collections have primarily targeted the Bathurst region from its initial exploration.

The society has many different interests. It enjoys sharing its wealth of information and for local people and visitors to view its memorabilia collection, which is on display in the Society's Museum in the East Wing of Bathurst Court House in Russell Street. It is primarily from the early Bathurst district. The Society also has items from all states of Australia as well as overseas.

In 1960 a group of members, under the editorship of Mr. Bernard Greaves researched and later produced "The History of Bathurst", which was published by Angus and Robertson in 1961. This book was re-issued in 1964, with the addition of an index. (Limited numbers of this edition are still available.)

The society originally opened a folk museum in Webb's building in George Street for a time and early in 1964 No. 1 George Street became available. It was at first leased, then bought, with the help of Bathurst City Council. The folk museum was then transferred to No. 1 George Street.

In 1965, in conjunction with Bathurst Sesqui-centenary, the older single-storey building at the rear of the site was put in order and restored. Known as Old Government Cottage it was then furnished suitably. The Society received a £1,500 donation from the £5,000 Sesqui-Centenary celebrations grant to the city of Bathurst from the N.S.W. Government.

On Wednesday, 24th March, 1965, His Excellency, the Governor of New South Wales, Lieut.-General Sir Eric Woodward, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. visited Bathurst for the official opening of No. 1, George Street shortly after 3pm. Here the Bathurst District Historical Society was developing an elaborate historical museum.

At this time Mrs. Joan Rutherford, the Society's archivist, stated that the Bathurst District Historical Society eventually hoped to build a storage building for larger objects at some other location. This aim to date has not been achieved but a small storage building has been.

In December 1981 the Museum was relocated to its current location and for a time was combined with the Bathurst Tourist Information. The new dual function location was staffed by Council employees during the week and Society Volunteers each weekends.

Old Government Cottage is no longer part of No 1, George Street and has its new address as 16 Stanley Street, Bathurst.

The main rooms of the Society's current location in the East Wing of the Bathurst Courthouse in Russell Street includes an information and sales centre, archive rooms, reading room and a museum. Books by local historians and postcards are for sale. It is operated by a team of Society Volunteers.

The Society holds musters with a variety of guest speakers on the third Thursday of each month except for December and January. These talks are free and open to the public. Regular trips and outings are conducted by the Society each year.

The objectives are:

(a) To encourage the study of the history of Australia and of the Bathurst District.

(b) To promote the compilation of authentic historical records.

(c) To acquire and preserve for the Society, books, manuscripts, newspapers, records, coins, stamps, prints, pictures, lantern slides, costumes, relics and all such objects and materials or authentic copies as may be considered to have a bearing on Australian history or the history of the Bathurst district.

(d) To use its influence to secure the preservation of places of historic interest, such as houses, buildings, etc., cemeteries.

(e) To foster the interchange of information among members of the Society by lectures, readings, discussions, and exhibitions of historical interest or value.

(f) To print, publish and circulare such journals, periodicals, books and other literary productions and undertakings as may seem conductive to any objects of the Society.

(g) To establish branches wherever and whenever it may deem advisable.

(h) To affiliate or co-operate with other societies and institutions having object or objects similar to those of the Society.

Mrs Mary Fletcher 2020 - current
Ms Samantha Friend 2015 - 2020
Mr Alan K McRae 2011 - 2015
Mr Brett D Kenworthy 2008 - 2011
Mr Christopher J Morgan 2001 - 2007
Mr Theo J Barker 2000 - 2001
Mr John Williams 1999 - 2000
Mr Geoff Smith 1995 - 1999
Mrs June Drake 1991 - 1995
Mr Anthony J Fisher 1985 - 1990
Mr Max M Palmer 1983 - 1984
Mrs Millicent M Wigmore 1982 - 1983
Mr Max M Palmer 1977 - 1981
Mrs Millicent M Wigmore 1976 - 1977
Mr Theo J Barker 1964 - 1975
Mr Bernard Greaves and Mr Theo J Barker 1963 - 1964
Mr Bernard Greaves 1961 - 1962
Mrs Joan E L Rutherford and Mr Bernard Greaves 1956 - 1960
Mr Rrobert Munster 1951 - 1955
Reverend Alan Doughan 1950- 1951
Alderman Oliver G Parnham 1948 - 1949
Alderman Ronald B Golsby 1947 - 1948