As a history student, it is a little sad when I say that I know very little about the history of the place I call home. Swept up in the usual university history subjects of empires, global connections and cultural movements, I never found the time to appreciate my own history. So why not knock out a unit and some research of personal interest in one go by taking HSTY3811: History Beyond the Classroom. However, this blog is not solely about me, so I’d like to enlighten you, my reader, on quite the intriguing institution that I will be working with for this class.
I reached out to Camden Museum, my local museum, for my public history project. I had been there once as a child, not thinking much of it and speeding through (it was a hot day and I was probably eager to claim that ice cream my parents had promised), equating it more to a collection of objects my grandparents might have stashed away somewhere for sentimental purposes. But therein lies its charm. Camden Museum uses its significant collection of over 4000 objects to tell the story of the everyday lives of the people who lived and worked in this area, spanning several cultures and vast generations. This object-based focus brings to light the importance of the mundane and hidden histories, including but not limited to First Nations and women.
Image from Museums and Galleries NSW, https://mgnsw.org.au/organisations/camden-museum/
The museum is situated in the old School of Arts and Municipal Council building on John Street, Camden, adjacent to Camden Library, incredibly fitting for a place of research, and just to top it all off, Camden Museum is in partnership with Camden Area Family History Society, so there are a lot of interesting rabbit holes you can get yourself stuck into without ever having to leave the building.
The museum itself is run by the Camden Historical Society, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic bunch of people from all walks of life. Although I’ve expressed how tempting it is to hide away in the myriad of artifacts, books and photos, somehow the Camden Historical Society volunteers do find the strength to relinquish the desire to stay and go out and actively engage with the community. They provide educational programs, participate in community events and publish the Camden Journal, which expands on intangible topics and the community at large. Their community involvement works to bridge the gap between local history and the people of Camden.
Image from Museums and Galleries of NSW, https://mgnsw.org.au/organisations/camden-museum/
If you ever have the great pleasure of meeting these people as I have, be prepared for some seriously engaging conversations on whatever topic floats your boat. This society nurtures everybody’s interests, no matter how obscure, including my own, which now leads me to a sneak peek of my project with them.
I adore historical clothing, costume history and reproduction sewing and boy, did they let me indulge that. Camden Museum houses many items of clothing, including a blazer that belonged to Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Kernohan from the University of Sydney (I thought this was VERY cool) and a magnificent wedding dress from 1899 that has been in the collection since Camden Museum’s beginning in the 1970s. The latter of which I have gotten my grubby little hands on (do not come for me; I have not actually touched the dress in question yet, and if I ever do, I promise my hands will be freshly washed) and will be producing an article about it for publication in the Camden Journal, which you, my dear reader, will just have to wait to read, and I promise you it will be a gripping one.