NSW Heritage Week is celebrated throughout the State in April/May each year.
Willandra Open Day 2026 – Sunday 17 May from 11 am to 2 pm. Visit Willandra and join us for a tour of St Anne’s Churchyard – all free
Explore the house and its views of the Parramatta River, see displays of memorabilia of Ryde’s history from its origins, watch a display of images of Ryde, see what’s in our Archives and purchase RDHS publications.
At 1.30 we will walk to St Anne’s Church (5 minute walk) where there will be a tour of the Churchyard.
Visit the graves of some of our earlier residents, hear their stories, learn their histories. Visit the grave of Granny Smith, creator of the Granny Smith apple and other interesting people. Learn about their lives, and their deaths.
Or, meet us at the Church Street entrance at 2pm, where the tour will commence.
Willandra Open Day 2017
Ryde District Historical Society is trying to remember and respect
those people from the District who served in World War II. We are also trying
to build a comprehensive list of our service people, with details of their
service, their families, their homes and their place in the community.
The Open day is a chance for people to bring along memorabilia and
photographs reflecting their family’s service. These will be scanned (on the
day) and incorporated into the RDHS archive. There will be displays showing the
district’s involvement in World War II.
Visit Willandra to see a display of memorabilia from Ryde’s history, and tours of the house, St Anne’s churchyard and Ryde Village. Images of Ryde’s origins and history will also be on display.
Willandra is an 1840’s Georgian home built by James Devlin on land granted to John Small in 1794.
Early photograph of Willandra House
The house was saved from demolition by the community in the 1970’s, Willandra had been a house, and from 1951 until 1976, a service station. A private buyer proposed to demolish, remove and rebuild the house in the Hunter Valley, however, community agitation led by the Ryde District Historical Society resulted in Federal and State government grants enabling the purchase of the house by Ryde Municipal Council.
Willandra House before it was restored
The restored building was opened in 1980 and is home to the Ryde District Historical Society and the City of Ryde Arts Society. During the Open Day, you can explore the house and its views of the Parramatta River, watch a continual digital display of images of Ryde- then and now- see what’s in our Archives, relax and enjoy a Devonshire Tea, and purchase RDHS publications.
Historic Willandra House, after restoration
A tour of St Anne’s churchyard and Ryde Village will be held, leaving Willandra at 2pm.
Willandra Open Day 2017
Willandra Open Day 2017
Willandra Open Day 2017