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.
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.
West Maitland Fire Brigade
A timeline of the formation, disbandment and reformation of the West Maitland Fire Brigade in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and some details on the different fire stations.
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.
Caroline Chisholm, humanitarian and philanthropist
Caroline Chisholm, perhaps Australia’s greatest nineteenth-century philanthropist, made her mark in Maitland and many other places.
East Maitland, a century ago
East Maitland in the early years of the last century looked and felt much different from the East Maitland of today, and the lifestyles of its residents were very different too.