Maitland - city of floods, home of Les Darcy and once the potato growing capital of Australia, but something few of us would realise was the town's standing as a renowned hub for great portrait photographers.
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People from across the state would travel to the river port for professional photographs such as Murrurundi's Senior Constable Edward Bowen did in 1879. But we'll tell his story later.
The city's portrait notoriety is something that has intrigued Maitland City Library's retiring local studies officer Judy Nicholson. A library veteran of more than 30 years, Ms Nicholson will leave next week. She has nothing major planned for her days of leisure expect growing her website www.photographersofmaitland.org.
She has worked as a librarian with Queensland Health, Newcastle City Library and has spent the last 10 years at Maitland.
Ms Nicholson deals with local history inquiries and Picture Maitland - a catalogue of 3700 photos of the city's people, places and events.
What she loves most about the city is its built environment, the people and the buildings that still stand strong dominating the streetscape years on - her favourite, Maitland Courthouse. "I can see the courthouse out my office window. I look at it every day," she said. "I love the architectural style and the fact it's such a focal point. In times of flood the courthouse and the Belmore Bridge were always featured in photos being major city landmarks," she said.
It hasn't just been iconic buildings that interested Ms Nicholson - it has also been the people. "Particularly those of Greta Migrant Camp. I learned a lot from Alek Schulha who is writing a book on the camp. He shared their personal stories - something I'll always remember."
But it has been the city's little-known link to photographers that has fascinated Ms Nicholson. "I've done a lot of work and uncovered some quirky stories like that of Senior Constable Edward Bowen." His portrait was taken by Morris Moss in 1879 in his studio at 305 High Street - now Fratelli Roma. Soon after, Snr Const Bowen was shot in the neck and killed by bushrangers, the Moonlight gang, near Wagga Wagga.
Other renowned photgraphers included Cameron Studio, Ballard, TF Tinson and Elijah Hart. Ms Nicholson's research has taken her to 1900. "When I retire I may go beyond that," she said.
