Camden Museum and Heritage Centre

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Posted 2014-10-18 by glenop ⇒ follow

The first thing you notice when driving through the main street of Camden is that it hasn't sold out to the big developers. Yes sure, there is a Coles and a Woolworths but the main street and assorted side streets are still lined with heritage shops, banks, pubs and cottages.

It's nearby Narellan that has absorbed the 'bland land' reputation and has developed into a typical characterless shopping suburb. This has nicely allowed Camden, to a large extent, retain its country town charm.

Inspired by a strong local historical society and with the support of a sympathetic and generous council, the Camden Museum has evolved into quite a remarkable local museum and heritage centre.

After a multi million dollar redevelopment, it is now incorporated into a complex that includes the Camden Library and the old fire station.

The museum's permanent collection is impressively immense with thousands of items on display. Your journey around the museum is arranged to tell the story of the human settlement of Camden from its indigenous occupation to early explorers, settlers and subsequent agricultural industries such as wool, wine, wheat and dairy that sustained Camden during the 19th and 20th centuries.

There are also special displays of prominent families, women's history, war stories, profiles of nurses and the Nepean River.

Helpful and friendly volunteer Camden Historical Society members are on hand for a chat and answer your questions. Across the road from the museum are some of Camden's most historic buildings such as the old court house, police station and historic houses.

The museum is open Thursday to Sunday from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Entry is free but a donation is requested. The museum is staffed by volunteers from the historical society and receives no direct funding from government.