The Observatory's first telescope was a 10.5" Newtonian donated by Henry Heberden, whose act of philanthropy resulted in the founding of the HSS.
 Patrick Hepburn of the BAA joined the society in 1910, subsequently becoming the Director of the Saturn section of the BAA.

In 1923 a 6-inch Cooke refracting telescope was lent to the Society by George Avenell, it was formally gifted to the society in 1928 and is still the main telescope in use at the observatory today.
The date of manufacture of the telescope is unknown, however, it matches the appearance and specification of a "missing" telescope commissioned by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich for the 1874 Transit of Venus Expedition to Hawaii.

Renowned optical instrument maker, and one time JAS president, Henry Wildey  was Astronomical Secretary of the HSS from 1946–1988.
 He was responsible for organising the public open nights and maintaining the instruments and building.
 In 1967 H.N (Ron) Irving was commissioned to overhaul the telescope's mounting, drive and clock, a job he carried out at a highly subsidised rate and was granted honorary life membership as a result of his generosity.

In 1971 Herbert Stark, who was HSS general secretary from 1966 to 1974, set-up a sub-committee, headed by Doug Daniels, to focus on the observatory's repair and maintenance.
  Civil Engineer Keith Hitchcock was appointed to look after the observatory building's renovation.
In order to raise capital for the renovations some of the society's equipment was sold, including a vintage sidereal clock, which was a valuable antique.
In addition to the renovation of the observatory's buildings, the Cooke telescope's mount was rebuilt by Terry Pearce, who, due to the observatories financial constraints, convivially accepted payment through instalments spread  over a three-year period.

Doug Daniels succeeded Henry Wildey as Astronomical secretary in 1988, following Wildey's retirement.
Doug Daniels remained the president of the HSS for 30 years.
However, in 2018, he too announced his retirement and was succeeded by Simon Lang.
The Observatory's first telescope was a 10.5" Newtonian donated by Henry Heberden, whose act of philanthropy resulted in the founding of the HSS.  Patrick Hepburn of the BAA joined the society in 1910, subsequently becoming the Director of the Saturn section of the BAA.
In 1923 a 6-inch Cooke refracting telescope was lent to the Society by George Avenell, it was formally gifted to the society in 1928 and is still the main telescope in use at the observatory today. The date of manufacture of the telescope is unknown, however, it matches the appearance and specification of a "missing" telescope commissioned by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich for the 1874 Transit of Venus Expedition to Hawaii.
Renowned optical instrument maker, and one time JAS president, Henry Wildey  was Astronomical Secretary of the HSS from 1946–1988.  He was responsible for organising the public open nights and maintaining the instruments and building.  In 1967 H.N (Ron) Irving was commissioned to overhaul the telescope's mounting, drive and clock, a job he carried out at a highly subsidised rate and was granted honorary life membership as a result of his generosity.
In 1971 Herbert Stark, who was HSS general secretary from 1966 to 1974, set-up a sub-committee, headed by Doug Daniels, to focus on the observatory's repair and maintenance.   Civil Engineer Keith Hitchcock was appointed to look after the observatory building's renovation. In order to raise capital for the renovations some of the society's equipment was sold, including a vintage sidereal clock, which was a valuable antique. In addition to the renovation of the observatory's buildings, the Cooke telescope's mount was rebuilt by Terry Pearce, who, due to the observatories financial constraints, convivially accepted payment through instalments spread  over a three-year period.
Doug Daniels succeeded Henry Wildey as Astronomical secretary in 1988, following Wildey's retirement. Doug Daniels remained the president of the HSS for 30 years. However, in 2018, he too announced his retirement and was succeeded by Simon Lang.
Hampstead Scientific Society