Our Collection
The Society has a collection of significant historical objects, photographs and documents from the Orange district. Our collection includes household and general items, a large photographic and negative collection and many and varied archival records.
Please read about some of our significant objects within our collection below. Please contact us with any inquiries or to share some history with us. |
Aboriginal Carved Tree
This tree is the sole survivor of at least three known in the vicinity of the property Corroboree, the others having been destroyed by fire over time. To avoid a similar fate, this remaining tree was removed from the paddock and stored for safekeeping and until being given to the Orange and District Historical Society by property owner Bruce MacSmith in 1970.
There is little information about the Wiradjuri custom of carving patterns into living trees to mark burials and initiation sites. According to early settlers it was common practice for Aborigines to carve trees around the grave of a community member of distinction or repute, where four or five living trees would be carved with the carving facing in towards the grave. It appears that burial trees were a way of identifying the social and kin relations of the dead person.
Carved trees or dendroglyphs were once widespread throughout Australia but due to their vulnerability there are fewer than twenty examples surviving in the central part of eastern NSW. This carved tree is historically and culturally significant as a rare surviving example of the vanished Wiradjuri custom of carving living trees for ritual purposes and for its ability to demonstrate the designs and techniques used in that custom.
This tree is the sole survivor of at least three known in the vicinity of the property Corroboree, the others having been destroyed by fire over time. To avoid a similar fate, this remaining tree was removed from the paddock and stored for safekeeping and until being given to the Orange and District Historical Society by property owner Bruce MacSmith in 1970.
There is little information about the Wiradjuri custom of carving patterns into living trees to mark burials and initiation sites. According to early settlers it was common practice for Aborigines to carve trees around the grave of a community member of distinction or repute, where four or five living trees would be carved with the carving facing in towards the grave. It appears that burial trees were a way of identifying the social and kin relations of the dead person.
Carved trees or dendroglyphs were once widespread throughout Australia but due to their vulnerability there are fewer than twenty examples surviving in the central part of eastern NSW. This carved tree is historically and culturally significant as a rare surviving example of the vanished Wiradjuri custom of carving living trees for ritual purposes and for its ability to demonstrate the designs and techniques used in that custom.
Dalton Top Hat
This top hat is a typical example of the tradition of men’s dress in the 19th century. Many changes had taken place in the new colony’s social and economic structure with the end of the convict era, pastoral expansion and the gold rushes. However, the top hat is an example of the persistence of English fashions and customs as a means of reinforcing distinctions between occupations and classes in society.
The hat is also significant because of its association with the Dalton family, pioneer merchants and pastoralists in the Orange district from 1850s, who became one of the colony’s richest and most influential Catholic families. It demonstrates the aspirations of the Dalton men as respectable citizens of Orange and it is evidence of their growing prosperity and status.
This top hat is a typical example of the tradition of men’s dress in the 19th century. Many changes had taken place in the new colony’s social and economic structure with the end of the convict era, pastoral expansion and the gold rushes. However, the top hat is an example of the persistence of English fashions and customs as a means of reinforcing distinctions between occupations and classes in society.
The hat is also significant because of its association with the Dalton family, pioneer merchants and pastoralists in the Orange district from 1850s, who became one of the colony’s richest and most influential Catholic families. It demonstrates the aspirations of the Dalton men as respectable citizens of Orange and it is evidence of their growing prosperity and status.
Digitorium
A digitorium was a device developed in the late 19th Century as a device to improve the strength and dexterity of a pianist’s fingers. It eventually fell out of favour, and it was thought that it might even be deleterious.
This digitorium carries special significance as it was used by Frances Williams, who had married William Williams, a school teacher, the 5th daughter of Bridget and Robert Frost who was one of the leading citizens in late 19th Century Orange. He apparently arrived in the early days of Blackmans Swamp village, and was part of its development into the township of Orange to set up a butchering establishment. By careful investment he was eventually able to acquire the Wentworth Estate in Lucknow which proved to be one of the most profitable gold-fields in Australia.
He also acquired ‘Campdale’ on the south-west outskirts of the town of Orange where he built the homestead just a few years before he died. He was a leading citizen in civic affairs.
A digitorium was a device developed in the late 19th Century as a device to improve the strength and dexterity of a pianist’s fingers. It eventually fell out of favour, and it was thought that it might even be deleterious.
This digitorium carries special significance as it was used by Frances Williams, who had married William Williams, a school teacher, the 5th daughter of Bridget and Robert Frost who was one of the leading citizens in late 19th Century Orange. He apparently arrived in the early days of Blackmans Swamp village, and was part of its development into the township of Orange to set up a butchering establishment. By careful investment he was eventually able to acquire the Wentworth Estate in Lucknow which proved to be one of the most profitable gold-fields in Australia.
He also acquired ‘Campdale’ on the south-west outskirts of the town of Orange where he built the homestead just a few years before he died. He was a leading citizen in civic affairs.
Frost Sampler
The tradition of needlework samplers was well established by the time Australia was colonised in the late 18th century. Europeans had brought with them the belief that needlework skills were an important practical and moral part of a girl’s education. Accordingly samplers often demonstrated skill through the use of letters, numbers and pictures.
Eight year old Catherine Frost’s sampler included these elements as well as her name and the place and date of completion as being Orange, 1872. It also features a crown symbol, but as no British coronation took place during, or close to, 1872 this may have been a personal choice of motif.
The sampler is historically significant as a typical example of the style of needlework taught to young girls during the 19th century. It demonstrates the developing skill of its creator as a closer look reveals that some of the letters have been unpicked in preparation for restitching –indicating the level of practice and skill required for young fingers to successfully complete the cross stitch task.
It is also historically significant for its association with the Frost family, whose members became business operators, graziers and landowners in the pioneering days of Orange and were actively involved in the establishment of many of the district’s important institutions.
The tradition of needlework samplers was well established by the time Australia was colonised in the late 18th century. Europeans had brought with them the belief that needlework skills were an important practical and moral part of a girl’s education. Accordingly samplers often demonstrated skill through the use of letters, numbers and pictures.
Eight year old Catherine Frost’s sampler included these elements as well as her name and the place and date of completion as being Orange, 1872. It also features a crown symbol, but as no British coronation took place during, or close to, 1872 this may have been a personal choice of motif.
The sampler is historically significant as a typical example of the style of needlework taught to young girls during the 19th century. It demonstrates the developing skill of its creator as a closer look reveals that some of the letters have been unpicked in preparation for restitching –indicating the level of practice and skill required for young fingers to successfully complete the cross stitch task.
It is also historically significant for its association with the Frost family, whose members became business operators, graziers and landowners in the pioneering days of Orange and were actively involved in the establishment of many of the district’s important institutions.
Tom Family book and display case
The Tom Family book was produced and presented to the community of Orange by family descendants in 1967. It was presented at a ceremony in Orange to Council representatives, Aldermen Payten and Caldwell, who in turn presented it to the Orange and District Historical Society.
Created before computers and the internet had made publishing and genealogical research comparatively easy, the Tom Family book is a unique and valuable resource and of historical significance as a record of the pioneering Tom family. It is divided into 13 sections, each representing one of William and Ann Tom’s children. These divisions tell, in detail, the subsequent family histories and contain 536 names.
Handwritten in Old English calligraphy on parchment and bound in kid leather, the heritage of the family is acknowledged on the cover with the traditional Cornish greeting Cade Mill Faultha – one hundred thousand welcomes. The book is of aesthetic significance because of its quality and unique presentation style and because it was produced entirely as a gift for the community.
The cedar and glass display case was made by Alex Christian in 1972 from recycled cedar appropriately salvaged from a demolition site in Orange. It was made specifically to house and display the Tom book and is an excellent example of the craft of cabinet making, which complements the quality and presentation style of the book. It is also of aesthetic significance as it exemplifies the use of recycled material in the handcrafting of quality furniture in a society increasingly given to mass production and disposable products.
The Tom Family book was produced and presented to the community of Orange by family descendants in 1967. It was presented at a ceremony in Orange to Council representatives, Aldermen Payten and Caldwell, who in turn presented it to the Orange and District Historical Society.
Created before computers and the internet had made publishing and genealogical research comparatively easy, the Tom Family book is a unique and valuable resource and of historical significance as a record of the pioneering Tom family. It is divided into 13 sections, each representing one of William and Ann Tom’s children. These divisions tell, in detail, the subsequent family histories and contain 536 names.
Handwritten in Old English calligraphy on parchment and bound in kid leather, the heritage of the family is acknowledged on the cover with the traditional Cornish greeting Cade Mill Faultha – one hundred thousand welcomes. The book is of aesthetic significance because of its quality and unique presentation style and because it was produced entirely as a gift for the community.
The cedar and glass display case was made by Alex Christian in 1972 from recycled cedar appropriately salvaged from a demolition site in Orange. It was made specifically to house and display the Tom book and is an excellent example of the craft of cabinet making, which complements the quality and presentation style of the book. It is also of aesthetic significance as it exemplifies the use of recycled material in the handcrafting of quality furniture in a society increasingly given to mass production and disposable products.
The Foresters Memorial
The Foresters in Orange in the late 19th and early 20th Century covered a huge gap in our social services systems, which were non-existent in those days. For its members it provided financial support for members if hospitalised or otherwise prevented from working, and for their families if they died. It was a precursor of today’s Medical Benefits Funds.
They provided loans to members at less than current rates to make home ownership a more achievable goal. This was the financial interests of the Court.
Their Hall, in Lords Place, was a central focus in the social life of the town. For many years it hosted dances, theatre, musical concerts, lectures, debates, and often served as a supper room for larger functions across the street at the Oddfellows or Australia Hall.
They had acquired considerable real estate in Lords Place, Orange, in their early years. This they later sold off, and this gave them a considerable cash base to pursue their support and charitable works.
No record has been found of when the Foresters ceased to be an active group in Orange, but their Hall in Lords Place was demolished in 1962.
The Foresters in Orange in the late 19th and early 20th Century covered a huge gap in our social services systems, which were non-existent in those days. For its members it provided financial support for members if hospitalised or otherwise prevented from working, and for their families if they died. It was a precursor of today’s Medical Benefits Funds.
They provided loans to members at less than current rates to make home ownership a more achievable goal. This was the financial interests of the Court.
Their Hall, in Lords Place, was a central focus in the social life of the town. For many years it hosted dances, theatre, musical concerts, lectures, debates, and often served as a supper room for larger functions across the street at the Oddfellows or Australia Hall.
They had acquired considerable real estate in Lords Place, Orange, in their early years. This they later sold off, and this gave them a considerable cash base to pursue their support and charitable works.
No record has been found of when the Foresters ceased to be an active group in Orange, but their Hall in Lords Place was demolished in 1962.
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Plowman Collection of glass-plate negatives
The Plowman Collection is a rare collection of glass-plate negatives comprising photographs taken by Jim Plowman of his family as well as images of the Orange district from the 1920s to the 1950s. Particularly important to the Orange district’s history are the images depicting the orcharding industry in its hey-day, showing ploughing, spraying, picking and transporting fruit. The collection has been digitised and is a valuable addition to our society’s photographic database. |
CWD Negative Collection
The CWD Negative Collection is a collection of all the negatives taken by the Central Western Daily newspaper between 1955 and 2000. Everything that was considered newsworthy was photographed including; farming, orcharding, industry, crime, accidents, sport, schools, hospitals, social occasions and workplaces. The images are a wonderful reminder of what life in Orange and district was like in the late 20th century. The negatives from 1955 to 1970 are the old-style large-format negatives, while those from 1971 to 2000 are 35mm. |
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Some of the older negatives are in poor condition and these are being scanned and kept in a freezer to preserve them; others are as good as the day they were taken. Our volunteers are currently working on re-housing the older ones into acid-free envelopes and boxes and scanning them as and when time permits.
Orange City Council is supporting the society financially to have the older negatives scanned by a Sydney specialist company. As well, it is arranging for all the scanned negatives to be put on Recollect Central West, an online platform to capture and share the history and heritage of Central West New South Wales. See: centralwest.recollect.net.au
We scan negatives on request from individuals and organisations such as schools and businesses, at a small cost to cover our expenses. Single high-resolution digital copies: $15.00, delivered by email or, if too large, by individual arrangement.
Photographic paper copies: $20 per A4 sheet (= 1 x A4 print; 2 x A5 prints; or 4 x A6 prints). Collection of multiple images, such as for a school or organisation’s anniversary: $400.00.
Orange City Council is supporting the society financially to have the older negatives scanned by a Sydney specialist company. As well, it is arranging for all the scanned negatives to be put on Recollect Central West, an online platform to capture and share the history and heritage of Central West New South Wales. See: centralwest.recollect.net.au
We scan negatives on request from individuals and organisations such as schools and businesses, at a small cost to cover our expenses. Single high-resolution digital copies: $15.00, delivered by email or, if too large, by individual arrangement.
Photographic paper copies: $20 per A4 sheet (= 1 x A4 print; 2 x A5 prints; or 4 x A6 prints). Collection of multiple images, such as for a school or organisation’s anniversary: $400.00.