The 2024 Penrith City Library local history calendar for 2024 is here! The calendar features postcards from the Library’s Joyce Cole collection. It is on sale now at all three Library branches for $5.

The 2023 Local History Calendar is now available to purchase for only $5 from all three Library branches.

Penrith Library’s 2022 calendar is now available. Get your copy for only $5 at any of Penrith Library’s branches. But be quick, calendars are selling fast!

Did you know that August is Family History Month?

With the current lockdown restrictions in place there is no opportunity to attend workshops in person, however there are many events that will be held online for those wanting to delve deeper into their family history.

National Family History Month has links to many online presentations and webinars that will be held during August.

State Library of NSW has a number of free online events to help uncover you family’s past.

State Archives and Records has many guides to assist with researching your family history.

For more links to help with your research, click here.

COVID UPDATE – Due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, Penrith City Library will close temporarily until further notice as per NSW Health Orders. Full details available HERE

Research Services staff are available to answer any queries Monday to Friday
9am – 5pm via researchinquirys@penrith.city

Penrith City Council will be celebrating 150 years of local government with speaker sessions, a community celebration in Triangle Park, and an historical display in Penrith Library. To find out more information, please click here

See the Historical Display and Win!

Win one of five $50 vouchers, simply by taking in some local history! Head down to Penrith City Library and see the incredible historical display showcasing artefacts from the last 150 years, such as the seal commissioned by our the very first Council in 1871. Once you have seen the display, tell us which item interested you the most and why. Entries should be 200 words or less and emailed to events@penrith.city by Sunday 18 July.

In 1871, Penrith was declared a municipality and a council of locally elected representatives formed. 2021 marks 150 years since this historic beginning. The very first Council meeting took place on the morning of 18 July 1871 and the local undertaker John Price was appointed clerk, thus becoming Council’s first employee. The first Council comprised local businessmen, storekeepers, publicans and farmers. Just 19 years later Penrith became the third town in New South Wales and the first in the Sydney region to make use of electric lighting.

By 1890 St Marys was proclaimed a municipality, followed by Mulgoa in 1893 and Castlereagh in 1895. These municipalities would eventually join with Penrith to form a new and larger municipality in 1949. By October 1959 the municipality of Penrith was declared a city and in 1963 Emu Plains was transferred from Blue Mountains City Council to Penrith City Council.

As part of the celebration the Library has gathered together 3 cabinets of historic artefacts and information – you can view the display anytime during library opening hours.

Our 2021 calendar is now available at all library branches for just $5.