On this page members of the Maitland and District Historical Society are sharing their research into a variety of aspects of the history of our locality. New stories will be added as they become available.
Use search to find stories about the person, place, topic or keyword you are interested in.
The Glenbawn Dam rumour and the 1955 flood
There is a persistent belief among some Maitland people that the severity of the 1955 flood was due to the deliberate blowing up of Glenbawn Dam on the Hunter River above the town of Aberdeen. It is not true.
The shortening of the lower Hunter River
The Hunter River was much shortened after Europeans arrived, an indirect result of vegetation removal and the draining of wetlands. River behaviour changed, especially during floods, loops were cut off, the river became wider and shallower and huge amounts of good soil was lost.
Helping hands from outside Maitland: the 1955 flood
David Russell and Malcolm Bailey were two of the many people from outside Maitland who travelled to the town to help during and after the 1955 flood.
Barrington Tops, development and conservation on Maitland’s edge
The Barrington Tops was an area considered ripe for development during the years between the two world wars, but not a great deal happened.
Cumberland Hall
The gracious mansion Cumberland Hall occupied a commanding position in East Maitland for 100 years, but was demolished in 1960-61 despite its architectural merit to make way for Maitland Girls’ High School. Striking similarities with local buildings of the same period have helped to identify its likely architect.