MAITLAND Regional Museum might have lost their bid for a grant to purchase the former Maitland Mercury building but the group say they aren’t giving up on their quest to find a permanent home just yet.
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Earlier this year, the museum applied for a $1.5 million grant from the state government’s Regional Cultural Fund to buy the newspaper’s former building and convert it into a dedicated museum space and cultural hub.
President Janece McDonald said it was a shame but praised the community for the support the museum has received.
“It was a disappointment to not be given funds from the Regional Cultural Fund to adapt the Maitland Mercury building into a museum,” Dr McDonald said.
“It would have been a huge undertaking, but the amazing support we got from the community-both business and Maitlanders would have made it a success.
“Such a central position was applauded by many who want reinvigoration of the “East end” of High street.”
But, Dr McDonald said it isn’t the end of the search for permanent digs for the local museum.
“We now will pursue acquiring the East Maitland Lands Office for a Maitland Regional Museum campus incorporating our sister groups- The Clothing Museum, Maitland and District Historical Society, Maitland and Beyond Family History and U3A,” she said.
“Our strength will be having all these organisations together in the one site-a one stop shop for locals, tourists and researchers.”
In November, Maitland Regional Museum and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison campaigned for the NSW Government to match Moree $1 lands office deal in Maitland.
Since then, the state government has paused the sale of the former East Maitland Crown Lands Office to assess the museum’s proposal.
“There are spaces large enough to attract significant travelling exhibitions from state and national bodies. It will be an exciting project for Maitland,” Dr McDonald added.
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