The Society was originally formed in 1833 as the "Cornwall Agricultural Association" with its inaugural meeting being held at the British Hotel in Launceston.;;It endured periods of recess and several reconstructions until the formation of the Tasmanian Pastoral and Agricultural Society at a public meeting in 1873. The first Launceston Show was held on December 2nd, 1834 and continues on today. In 1920 the name of the society was changed to the National Agricultural and Pastoral Society of Tasmania. It was granted the use of the prefix 'Royal' in 1983. ;;