Welsby (1858-1941) was founding treasurer and a past president of the Historical Society of Queensland.

He wrote seven books on the Moreton Bay area, including Early Moreton Bay (1907); Memories of Amity (1922); and Sport and Pasttime in Moreton Bay (1931); and his journal article, Recollections of the Natives of Moreton Bay, is on display in the exhibition, which explores his life through photographs, letters, scrapbooks, artefacts and text written by historian Susan Martin.

Born three years after his parents migrated from Cornwall, Welsby's first home was at Ipswich.

He also lived at Bundamba and in Brisbane and in later life had a holiday home at Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island, where he enjoyed the waters of Moreton Bay.

Welsby was also a businessman, politician, athlete and fisherman.

He bequeathed his library collection of books, diaries, scrapbooks, letters, papers and maps to the Welsby Memorial Library, now known as the Welsby Library.

He was a co-founder of the Brisbane (Amateur) Sailing Club in 1885 and was the Royal Queensland Yacht Club (now Squadron) Commodore from 1903 to 1919.

Exhibition curator Jan Hess said the Amity Cup was donated by Thomas Welsby in 1910 as an annual event, which was raced today as the Blue Ribbon prize of the club.

"A photo of the Amity Cup won by 'Nara' in 1914 is part of the exhibition."

Called Thomas Welsby ? Recognition At Last, the exhibition will run until the end of this year.

Museum opening hours are Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am to 4pm.

The muesum is closed Saturdays to Mondays and public holidays.

For further information, contact the museum on 3221 4198 or visit www.queenslandhis tory.org.au