GLORIOUS Strathnairn – it’s the best place in the ACT to see art through the winter and early spring.

As if to prepare for the colder weather, a new history book, “Strathnairn – A Place for People,” is being launched on Friday by the ABC’s Genevieve Jacobs.

The book unveils the histories of the homestead from its colonial beginnings to its current position as a community arts facility.

Stories and memories of dozens of people associated with the rural property of Strathnairn have been gathered together to form the core of the book, which comprises historical data, maps, plans, images and personal and anecdotal narratives.

It’s about the people who have played a part in Strathnairn’s history from 1835 to 2013 and has been funded by ACT Heritage as part of the Centenary of Canberra celebrations.

Artist Maryann Mussared, who researched the book, comments, “we were all convinced the property was a soldier settlement and the Bairds [the family who were leaseholders from 1936 to 1977] were simple country folk, but it goes way beyond that.” Adding, “ the new Strathnairn archive (thanks to ACT Heritage) is now bulging with wonderful photos, stories and newspaper stories from the Queanbeyan Age and Canberra Times thanks to TROVE.”

The research process has slowed down her own art practice. “I have had my head down for the past six months researching the history of Strathnairn for the book,”  but as she says, “it has been so rewarding and I feel a very strong sense of awareness and ownership of the story of the Bairds. The best bit of all was some real art sleuthing and confirming that the final major extension to the original 1926 homestead of 4 rooms was indeed designed by Ken Oliphant in 1938.”

The book’s launch coincides with the current exhibition at Strathnairn Gallery, Artist in the House, curated by Peter Haynes.

Launch of art exhibition “Artist in the House” curated by Peter Haynes, and the book, “A Place for People,” 5pm, at Strathnairn Homestead, 90 Stockdill Dr, Holt, Friday April 19. Gallery + Café open Fri to Sun 10-4.30pm.