Located in Denman a small town in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, the Denman and District Heritage Village has an extensive and unique exhibition made up of objects and artefacts. Donated primarily by local Jeff Wolfgang, the exhibits are housed in a beautiful, new building that opened in November 2023.
Run by a staff of volunteers, the museum is bright and spacious with lots of room around the displays. Unlike many local museums, this one is not over-crowded with exhibits getting in each others way. It was easy to move around and view all of the items on display.
With its location in a farming district, it’s not surprising that there is a lot of farm equipment, from the first Caterpillar dozer to old cheese making presses and butter churns. A significant portion of the items on display are cars. For a small museum, it’s an impressive collection and worth the visit in itself.
Obviously passionate about the museum, the volunteer staff were great to talk to, with stories about the displays and their history.
Farm Equipment
1929 2 Ton Caterpillar1929 2 Ton Caterpillar1911 International Auto WagonCheese PressButter ChurnsTorpedo WasherHorse Buggy
Cars
1906 Darracq 7hp
1906 Darracq 7hpFront view of the 1906 Darracq 7hp1906 Darracq 7hpEngine of the 1906 Darracq 7hp
1910 Brush Penny Car
1910 Brush Penny CarFront view of the 1910 Brush Penny Car1910 Brush Penny CarRadiator and name plate 1910 Brush Penny CarLight and horn 1910 Brush Penny Car
1927 Whippet
1927 WhippetFront view of the1927 Whippet1927 WhippetFront seat 1927 Whippet
Buick
Buick
1938 Standard
1938 StandardFront view of the 1938 Standard1938 Standard
1934 Austin 7
Front right view of the 1934 Austin 71934 Austin 71934 Austin 7
1958 Gogomobil
Front view of the 1958 Gogomobil1958 Gogomobil1958 Gogomobil
1900 Locomobile Steam Car
Locomobile 1908 Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam CarA 1900 Locomobile Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam Car
1913 Sunbeam
Front view1913 Sunbeam1913 SunbeamFront seats of the 1913 Sunbeam1913 Sunbeam1913 SunbeamBack seats of the 1913 Sunbeam1913 Sunbeam Front Seats1913 Sunbeam Front Seats
Although outdated and no longer in use, the Maitland Gaol in NSW Australia is now a tourist attraction. Several options are available when visiting, guided tours, self guided tours or a guard tower tour. We chose the last option, as this takes you up onto the walls of the gaol, providing better views over the buildings. The guide also gives a commentary full of interesting information. Additionally, you can do the self guided tour when you finish on the walls.
Getting There
Located in East Maitland NSW Australia, the gaol has its own car park, so self -drive is usually not a problem.
Watch Towers
Before undertaking the tour, a safety talk ensures that you understand the risks and behaviour expected. The main risks are heights and enclosed spaces. These are all managed with guard rails, but if you suffer from heights and enclosed spaces, the guard tower tour might not be for you.
Climbing to the top of the tower is via a modern metal spiral staircase inside one of the towers. Once at the top, you are safely enclosed by a metal frame and mesh wire. The view from the top is amazing, providing views over the gaol. The hour long tour took us along the walls where guards used to patrol and through several towers.
Guard TowerStairs up to the watch towerOuter WallWalkway on the wallDividing Wall and Razor Wire
Prison Cells
Originally opening in December 1848, Maitland Gaol did not close until January 1998. By this time it no longer met community standards.
The cells and exercise yards are open for visitors to explore where you get to see the conditions the prisoners were held in. The rooms are small and basic reflecting the times in which they were built.
Gaol CellsGaol CellB-Wing CellsExercise Area
Buildings
Built of sandstone, the buildings are impressive in size and certainly look substantial and difficult to escape from.
In addition to the cell blocks, there is a chapel with stain glass windows where religious services took place weekly.
As the number of prisoners increased over time, the gaol expanded. This is best seen from the guard towers where the original wall now runs down the centre of the gaol forming a dividing wall.
At this time a building for female prisoners was added. It originally had a balcony and doors facing into the gaol. Later, the women were relocated to another facility and the balcony was removed and the doors filled in. Different coloured sandstone in the walls shows where this happened.
A-Wing and the ChapelLooking at A-Wing from the Watch TowerDividing Wall and Razor WireThe old Female Section (rear) and day-cells. The different sandstone blocks show where the doorways onto the balcony used to be.Stained Glass Windows in the ChapelThe Kitchen Workers’ Cells
Other Buildings Nearby
Opposite the gaol is the East Maitland Courthouse. This building is still operating as a children’s’ court, so access is restricted. However, if the court is closed, you can enter the carpark and see the front facade.
Located next to the gaol on Lindesay Street are the old Mounted Police Barracks. Used by the Maitland and Beyond Family Heritage, it is generally closed to the public. However the outside of the buildings can be viewed from the road.
East Maitland Court HouseMounted Police BarracksMounted Police Barracks
Located in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, the Tocal Homestead is a historic house and associated buildings originally established in 1822 by J. P. Webber. In 1834 the property was sold to Caleb and Felix Wilson, who commissioned the homestead as a country retreat from their Sydney business.
Subsequently the farm was leased to the Reynolds family who occupied it for two generations adding many of the wooden buildings to the farm. In 1926, four siblings of the Alexander family purchased the property. The last, C.B. Alexander died in 1947, leaving all of his properties tied in a complex will which stipulated that it was to be used for destitute and homeless children. Eventually this became the Tocal Agricultural College, now run by the NSW Department of Agriculture. The college is located not far from the homestead and is now an important educator in the agricultural industry.
An additional stipulation of the will was the allowance of his two nieces Myrtle and Marguerita Curtiss be allowed to live out their lives at the homestead. This they did until 1985 when they died within five days of each other.
Getting There
Located a 15-minute drive from Maitland, the homestead is well sign posted and easy to find. During our visit, it was only open on Sundays from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, but check their website for updated times and dates.
Tocal Homestead
The tour of the homestead is self-guided, with a map and personal audio player provided at reception. This allows you to self-pace around the property, taking your time at places of interest and moving on from others. The descriptions of each room, their uses and furnishings were excellent.
Tocal HomesteadMain entranceBook collectionLounge roomFamily roomFamily roomDining roomKitchenLooking down the staircaseOne of he Curtiss sisters’ rooms
Alexander was keen to use new technology, installing electricity in the homestead. Not only did he purchase a generator, but also sufficient battery storage in case the generator failed.
Lister engine and generatorBattery storage for the generator
Internal Lift
Another innovation Alexander adopted was the internal lift so that the upper floor could be accessed as he aged. Unfortunately, on one night while alone in the house, one of the Curtiss sisters was trapped in the lift. She had to wait until the staff arrived in the morning to let her out.
Internal lift
Farm Buildings and Equipment
Designed by architect James Blackett the largest barn has amazing internal framework for the roof is a work of art. As you walk around, you get to meet some of the animals as you walk past the pig stye and chicken run.
Near the homestead is a garage with a 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom in immaculate condition, along with the first tractor used at Tocal, a Twin City 17-28 imported from Minneapolis USA.
Bull barnThe Blackett BarnInside The Blackett BarnHorse stablesWebber’s cottageWebber’s cottageGaragePigsTocal’s first tractor a Twin City 17-281929 Rolls Royce Phantom
Wedding Venue
The homestead is a popular wedding venue, with its wonderfully decorated rooms and gardens.
Fig tree in the homestead garden. A favorite spot for wedding photos.
Visitors’ Centre and Cafe
At the end of the tour, we went back to reception where we ordered a Devonshire Tea. The little cafe overlooks the surrounding farmland and was very relaxing.
