The Camden Museum has acquired a 149-year-old teapot trophy from a sports day on May 24, 1876, celebrating Queen Victoria's birthday. It is the oldest trophy in the museum's collection, reflecting communal festivities and competitive spirit of the era. The trophy was donated by Alf and Sharon Cantrell.
Category: Small communities
1901 Anniversary Day sports and other amusements on January 26 in aid of the Camden Cottage Hospital.
On January 26, 1901, a sports day organized by the Combined United Friendly Societies raised funds for the Camden Cottage Hospital. The event featured various competitions and attracted around 1,000 attendees, earning £60. Despite mixed reviews from the local editor, the day represented community unity and historical significance in celebrating European settlement.
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Camden Cottage Hospital – early English influences and the cottage hospital movement
The Camden Cottage Hospital, inspired by the English cottage hospital movement, was established in 1899 in New South Wales. This model provided the community with a small, welcoming healthcare facility, funded by donations and subscriptions. Over time, cottage hospitals became integral to the healthcare landscape in rural Australia, adapting local characteristics.
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Rediscovering Forgotten Australian History Books
The blog post discusses three historically significant Australian books from the 1980s, which have become neglected items. Heaton’s work is a reference on early Australian history, while Smith’s volume showcases historical sites through photography. Morrison and Irving focus on historic towns and architectural heritage. Collectively, they reflect on popular historiography in Australia.
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Exploring Historical Themes: Pictorial History Camden & District Presentation Summary
This presentation examined the role of the historian and researcher and presented the importance of history and the role of a historian. Dr Ian Willis discussed the significance of historical consciousness and collective memory, emphasising the role of a historian as a researcher, analyst, interpreter, and storyteller. The presentation also highlighted "Pictorial History Camden & District," a book by Kingsclear Books, and covered aspects such as structure, select bibliography, index of names, and district maps. Additionally, various related sources and themes, such as the Whiteman and Macarthur families, were explored. The presentation concluded with suggestions for experiencing the past through community festivals, local studies, and living libraries.
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‘Guardian Angels’, the Red Cross on the wartime homefront
During the First World War, Australian women independently joined the Red Cross to support the war effort. The Red Cross provided a space for women to express agency and contribute to the war through practical activities and fundraising. The organization's local branches established a sense of community and played a significant role in the homefront war effort.
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The Camden Story: the historiography of the history of the country town of Camden NSW
The history of telling the story of a small community has been interpreted in different ways at different times in the past by different historians. This area of study is called the historiography. I have recently published an article on the historiography of the small country town of Camden, NSW.
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Whiteman commercial buildings in Camden, an example of adaptive re-use
The Whiteman's General Store, a historic Victorian colonial building in Camden, has been successfully repurposed through the Burra Charter principles of adaptive reuse, maintaining its architectural integrity. Operating continuously for over 135 years, it now houses various retail and professional outlets, contributing significantly to the town's charm and community identity.
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Cobbitty Anglican Church, a little bit of England celebrates 190 years
The English-style village of Cobbitty celebrates 190 years of the presence of the Anglican church.
