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The Murrurundi Museum is housed in the old Literary Institute building, on the site of the original police lock-up
Murrurundi was first settled in the early 1830's after the route over the Liverpool Range had been discovered. This led to the easier passage to the north and north-west, and the town developed as a frontier town for law and order and as a service town, providing shelter and provisions to the passing travellers. In 1842 Thomas Haydon began selling lots of his property that was across the river from the Murrurundi township and called the new settlement Haydonton.
One of the very first settlers in Haydonton was Benjamin Hall, the father of Ben Hall, who is better known as Ben Hall the bushranger. In 1842 Benjamin Hall purchased a block and built a slab cottage to house his family. The family is remembered in a shopfront window in Adelaide St, Murrurundi on the site of the original block. The two towns existed side by side until the early 1900's when they amalgamated to become known as Murrurundi. The district has a rich and interesting history.
The museum, which is run by the Murrurundi & District Historical Society Inc. has a wonderful collection of artifacts, papers and photographs all of which help to illustrate the life of the people who lived in and built the community. The Society members are proud to be custodians of the history. The museum is open to the public on the second and fourth Wednesday afternoons from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Entry is by donation. We are only to happy to open by appointment at other times.
Visits from schools and organisations are most welcome.
Murrurundi Museum
127 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
Phone: 02 6546 6843
After hours phone: 0418 647 176
Email: secretary.mdhi@gmail.com
Upper Hunter Shire Council is a local government authority and provides an extensive array of services including health and building; town planning; aged care; sporting and recreational facilities; roads; libraries; waste collection; airport facilities; saleyards; public venues; water; children, youth and families and tourist information.
Upper Hunter Shire is located in the Hunter Region of NSW, approximately 250km north of Sydney. The Shire is predominantly rural and encompasses 8,100km2.
We have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and are committed to keeping you safe.
PO Box 208
Scone NSW 2337
Phone: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
135 Liverpool Street, Scone
34-40 Vennacher Street, Merriwa
47 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
After hours emergencies for roads, bridges, animal control,
water, sewer & landfill
Phone: 02 6540 1199
Ngayan marrungku paran wiyan Wanarruwa, mirumalikan para ani parraykupa, ngatan ngayan marrung wiyan Ngarrakay paranpa yurakaykal ngatan pangaykal.
We acknowledge the Wonnarua people, traditional keepers of this land, and we pay respects to their Elders, past and present.
Translation by Aunty Sharon Edgar-Jones.