Ryde District Historical Society

10/09/2026

Anyone that has attended one of our walking tours at the Field of Mars Cemetery knows our meeting point is this building referred to as the "White Cottage".

Did you know that it is officially known as the Field of Mars Cemetery Sexton's Cottage?

It dates to circa 1890 and is a single storey painted brick house surrounded by lawn. The house has a simple rectangular form with gabled corrugated iron roof, brick chimneys and a low pitched verandah running across the front facade. The building was commissioned by the Church of England Trust and was occupied by various care-takers until the 1940s. In 2012 modern security bars were placed on the windows and a concrete verandah floor was added.

08/09/2026

Situated on Watts Rd at Denistone East is Watts Park, a small local park with a playground featuring swings, slides, cubby and a small scooter track.

A green haven cultivated from nearly two blocks of vacant land as shown on the black and white image from 1964. Perfectly placed to enjoy some quiet time with a takeaway coffee from the local coffee shop nearby.

06/09/2026

⭐️FREE WALKING TOUR AT FIELD OF MARS CEMETERY⭐️

Sunday 25 Oct 11am to 12:30pm. Meet at the White Cottage in the cemetery grounds (admin offices area) at 10:50am.

Join our volunteer host for a fascinating guided tour exploring the Italian burial traditions found in the Field of Mars cemetery. Discover the distinctive wall crypts, family mausoleums (capelle) and community mausoleums that have become an important part of Italian cemetery culture. Along the way, hear the stories behind some of the Italian families that settled in the Ryde area from the late 1920s.

From beautifully crafted family capelle to more recent community capelle, each tells a story of family, tradition and remembrance.

You can book at this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/silent-stories-the-history-of-those-who-have-gone-before-october-2026-tickets-1984704130481?

If the tour has sold out on eventbrite, you can also book through Metropolitan Memorial Parks website or you are most welcome to to join the tour on the day without registration.

Meet at the White Cottage, Hear about the Ryde District’s Italian Community’s early landowners and prominent families

05/09/2026

It's 1963 in Banksia Street, Eastwood, named after one of our native flora, which in turn was named after Sir Joseph Banks, naturalist and botanist.

A grader and its operator are travelling down Banksia St. This looks like it maybe the corner of North Road and Banksia, due to the slope on the left hand side? I am sure our followers can confirm if this is correct? We doubt that many of those houses are still there 63 years

01/09/2026

We are taking a break from Open Day this month (Sep 2026).

Watch this space as we have lots happening in October - Field of Mars cemetery free walking tour on 25 Oct and Open Day at Willandra on 18 Oct featuring the Ryde District's contribution to The Great North Rd plus our usual informative and interesting FB posts!

In the meantime, here is an image to pique your curiosity - c1900 - Miss Kitty Barton and guests having afternoon tea at Nyrangie, Linsley St, Gladesville.
RDHS and City of Ryde Libraries Collection.

30/08/2026

Calling all Ryde District History Sleuths! Need your assistance.

This image is marked date unknown. The notation in our database says it is Lachlan Ave, Macquarie Park. Can anyone work out which is Lachlan Ave and from where this image was taken? We presume it is 1960s sometime. Perhaps someone can identify the buildings in the background?

28/08/2026

⛳🏌️‍♂️A fascinating glimpse of North Ryde Golf Course in 1963. 🏌️‍♂️⛳

This view was taken from Lane Cove Road, looking south towards Top Ryde. What a difference 63 years can make!

The North Ryde Golf Club was incorporated in 1949 although golf had been played in the area since 1937. This photo was taken just 14 years after the Club's incorporation when the course was still relatively open and sparse, with few trees and shady areas.

Fast-forward to 2026 and the once open landscape is now a leafy haven, enjoyed by generations of golfers and visitors.

Coloured photo courtesy of Google Maps as we do not have any newer photos in our collection, as yet. Black and white image is from our collection.

26/08/2026

There is just something about a Subdivision Map that piques our interest.

This one is no exception. Bold red writing was sure to have captured everyone's attention back in 1914. Henry Turner subdivided his land and paid hundreds of Pounds to construct Turner Avenue, Ryde.

The lots featured are 3-19 Arras Pde, 1-19 and 4-10 Turner Ave.

For 1 Pound you could have secured your deposit for a block of land and paid the balance in 48 monthly payments!

Image is from the collections of the State Library of NSW.

24/08/2026

Our time machine transports us back to 28 June, 1953 where there was great excitement at 75 Buffalo Road Ryde. It's the opening day of the Ryde Bus Depot, the same day that the Ultimo Tram depot closed.

In January 2022 State Transit transferred Region 7 (North West Sydney) to Busways who continue operating it today servicing various routes throughout the Ryde District.

Our original photo is very grainy with lots of "noise" and distortion. We ran it through an AI program (2nd image) to give you a clearer picture of those wonderful old buses that we are sure many of you remember with nostalgia and fondness.🙂

22/08/2026

Last minute spots available on our cemetery tour tomorrow at 11am at Field of Mars Cemetery. Meet at 10:45am at the White Cottage inside the cemetery grounds (along the main cemetery road). All welcome, no need to book and it is free of charge.

Our volunteer host will share stories of Murder and Mayhem. Tour finishes at 12:30pm.

Our next cemetery tour will take place on 26 October and bookings can be made at Eventbrite on this link

Meet at the White Cottage, Hear about the Ryde District’s Italian Community’s early landowners and prominent families