Rare footage of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Lismore in 1954 has been shown in public for the first time.
The 16-millimetre film was rediscovered by staff at the Richmond River Historical Society as they cleaned and stored their wares in the wake of this year's catastrophic floods.
Australian Cinematography Museum owner Richard Harris paid to have the images digitised and was delighted with the results.
"It's fantastic to find anything old that's in good condition, and that's what it was," he said.
"It's even in colour ... which I just couldn't believe."
Mr Harris screened the historic footage at the Kyogle Cinemas on Thursday.
He said it was appropriate, because that was how people got to relive events in the days before television.
"News reels were a big thing," Mr Harris said.
"People didn't just go to the cinema to watch a movie, they went to get the news."
The screening attracted a small but enthusiastic crowd, including Lismore man Andrew Davies.
"You could feel the excitement, you cold sense it," he said.
"You could actually feel it just by seeing how the people were reacting."
Richmond Valley resident Grace Coughlan was impressed by the crowd of thousands who lined the streets in 1954 despite heavy rain, which led to a major flood just days after Her Majesty's departure from the region.
"Everyone must have been there," she said.
"In the rain, dealing with kids everywhere, so excited and so happy just to have a quick glimpse of the Queen."
Lismore historian Helen Trustum was eight when the Queen visited the region, but said it was a time she would never forget.
"We all had flags and things and we were all excited about it," she said.
"Because really, to see the Queen?
"We'd never, ever think we'd see the Queen, but she was that close to us."
Richmond River Historical Society member Maxine Darnell said if there was a silver lining to be found after the floods, it was the history that had been rediscovered by museum staff.
"There have been a few really bright spots," she said.
"A few wonderful items that we've found."
