Highlights in Maitland's history from the 1700s to present day have been documented on a new website launched this week by Maitland and District Historical Society.
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Detailed information on Maitland's past is now at the fingertips of residents and students following the launch of the website Maitland: Our Place, Our Stories.
It was unveiled on Tuesday night during a special event in the society's rooms in Cathedral Street, Maitland.
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The site will grow over coming years as society members and associates add additional material on a range of historical themes from the Aboriginal presence in the area to Molly Morgan, river shipping, environmental change, urban development, the provision of emergency services and the evolution of popular entertainment.
Some of the milestone events listed on the new website include:
- . 1790: Escaped convicts travel to Maitland.
- . 1818: Governor Lachlan Macquarie visited and named Wallis Plains.
- . 1891: Maitland Police Station connects to telephone service.
- . 1904: The first passenger train service between Maitland and Cessnock begins.
- . 1916: The Princess Theatre opens in Melbourne Street, East Maitland.
- . 1919: The Spanish Flu hits Maitland killing 20 residents.
- . 1950: The final cargo is shipped downstream from Morpeth.
- . 1960: Greta Migrant Camp closes after accommodating an estimated 100,000 migrants.
- . 1964: The new Belmore Bridge opens.
- . 1984: Westside drive-in closes at Rutherford.
- . 1988: Maitland's Inner-City By-Pass opens.
- . 1998: Maitland Jail closes.
- . 2022: The New Maitland Hospital opens at Metford.
The website was launched by the Mayor of Maitland, Cr Philip Penfold, who noted the work that society members had put into its development.
Dr Janis Wilton provided a briefing on the contents of the site and demonstrated how people can access the stories and other items it incorporates.
Go to the historical society's website for the link to Maitland:Our Place, Our Stories.
The Historical Society sees the website as an important addition to its existing offerings which include its quarterly bulletin, monthly historical talks, the weekly series of articles in The Maitland Mercury and the research services it provides to community members seeking historical information.
It is soon to mount a U3A (University of the Third Age) course on the History of Maitland.
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