Drunkenness and obscenity were unseemly features of the once bustling port town of Morpeth and were among the first cases heard in the court house 150 years ago.
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Completed in 1862 and opened to legal proceedings the following year, Morpeth Court House bore witness to many sordid tales as the state’s second settlement.
To mark the anniversary of Morpeth Court House this September,museum volunteers hope to retell the stories and the port’s history in an eclectic exhibition. Museum curator Sue Thomas said renovations were progressing well and would provide the perfect space for people to share those stories.
“It’s staggering to think how big this place was with well over 1000 residents, not counting travellers,” she said. “Everyone who settled the New England and South East Queensland came through here, so you can’t understate the historical importance of Morpeth and its stories.”
The roof has been redone with slate from Wales and the walls of the west wing – all five rooms – are next on the improvement list.
Mrs Thomas planned a lace exhibit in honour of some of the town’s first inhabitants who had been ejected from Calais during the French revolution.
“We’re hoping to get some samples from any descendants,” she said.
“We’re after objects to help tell stories like this and we are hoping to record some of the oral histories of Morpeth’s descendants.”
People who are able to contribute to the exhibition are urged to contact Morpeth Museum on 4934 4301.
