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.

Janis Wilton 27/7/23 Janis Wilton 27/7/23

Jack Bowden Pryor

Jack Bowden was one of the many young Maitland men who volunteered to fight during the First World War. He served on the Western Front and was killed in action in October 1917. His family kept letters and other mementoes that help to tell some of his story.

Lawrence Henderson 12/6/22 Lawrence Henderson 12/6/22

John Wright

John Wright, East Maitland builder and personality.

Chas Keys 23/5/22 Chas Keys 23/5/22

Nowland’s Gap

William Nowland is credited with pioneering a major crossing of the Great Dividing Range near today’s Murrurundi.

Chas Keys 17/5/22 Chas Keys 17/5/22

Henry Dangar, first surveyor

Henry Dangar undertook formal surveys of the original holdings at Paterson’s Plains and Wallis Plains and paved the way for large-scale European settlement of the rest of the Hunter Valley.

Chas Keys 17/5/22 Chas Keys 17/5/22

Lachlan Macquarie and Maitland

Governor Lachlan Macquarie made the decisions that initiated European settlement in the Maitland area.