The Tamworth Heritage Festival has returned this week and brings with it some new features and cult classics.
Melinda Gill from the Tamworth Historical Society emphasises that the festival is about the rich history of the entire region, not just Tamworth itself.
“When we do the festival, we try to get as many towns involved as possible because the local government area is not just here in Tamworth,” Ms Gill said.
For the first time, Barraba is involved with the event, welcoming visitors into their Nandewar Historical Society Barraba Museum for just a gold coin donation.
“It’s lovely to have Barraba on board this year with other places like Nundle, Moonbi, and Manilla,” Ms Gill said.
“We do want them included in our festival program because they do have lovely museums out there.”
The cult classic Heritage Walk is back, this time taking visitors down to the Paradise Gardens of Peel Street.
The gardens were a short-lived attraction from the 1870s to 1890s and is said to have been the place to be.
Locally made wine was sold down there and if wine wasn’t your fancy, you could look at the exotic monkeys instead.
In more recent history, there are three exhibitions now open at the Tamworth Regional Gallery that commemorates the centenary of Legacy, explores the importance of gold, and pushes the boundaries of truth.
Director at Newcastle Museum, Julie Baird, said the decision to curate the 1x4 exhibition was to encourage people to ask more questions and choose what story they want to learn.
“When we developed the exhibition there was a lot of talk about Donald Trump and truth, so we kept saying, well, museums decide the truth of an object all the time and that becomes its story, but really there are lots of stories,” Ms Baird said.
“For example, Beccy Cole’s jeans are on display, and they tell the story of denim, Beccy herself as an artist, and the story of women in country music.
“The exhibition takes one object and shows four truths.”
Ms Gill said the history of the region which was founded by the Australian Agricultural Company in the 1830s often comes as a surprise to visitors and each year, everyone has the opportunity to learn something new.
Beccy Cole's jeans on display at the 1x4 exhibition at the Tamworth Regional Gallery.
For the full program guide, visit https://www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/explore/whats-on/festivals-and-events/tamworth-regional-heritage-festival-and-awards