Fairfield City Museum & Gallery Investigation
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In August 2015 APPI investigated the wonderful vintage village of Fairfield City Museum & Gallery, in preparation of the ghost hunts we were to be running.
It was a fantastic night full of activity! Have a watch of the video to find out what went down... Investigators present:
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About the Location
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The First Council Chambers and Morris Family Home - Built 1913
This Georgian style building has served three different purposes since it was completed in 1913. Firstly as a Council Chamber for Fairfield and Smithfield until the Council became the Fairfield Municipal Council and Chambers and moved to Fairfield in 1921. James Leslie Morris, a local businessman, bought the building in 1921 adn converted it into a home for himself, his wife Florence and the child, Maesmor or 'Maisie'. It remained a residence for the Morris family from 1922 to 1980, when Maisie passed away. A group of local residents persuaded Fairfield City Council in 1983 to buy the property and an adjacent block of land to develop a museum. Permanent and temporary exhibitions are now displayed in this building. |
Buildings
Victoria Street School c. 1930s
This one-room schoolhouse reflects conditions in public schools across Australia in the 1930s and was moved to the village in 1984.
Slab Hut built c. 1886
In the 19th century, western Sydney was rural, and slab huts were common dwellings. Timber could be readily cut from local Eucalyptus forests and hewn into slabs ready for building. This hut was built by Nathan Rule c. 1886, at 53 Church Street, Cabramatta.
Caversham Cottage built c. 1880
'Caversham' Cottage was situated at 63 Smart Street, Fairfield and was the lifetime home of Eva Stone (nee Jeffress). To save it from demolition in 1986, the Stone family offered it to the Museum. Half of the house was rebuilt and now the interior reflects the furnishings and contents from about 1906. A young Eva and her sister Annie are seen in photographs hung inside. In front of the cottage are the original steps from Canley Grange, the country house of Sir Henry Parks in Canley Vale.
Robson Bros Blacksmiths 1911-1924 (reconstruction)
Henry (Harry) Robson and his brothers Bill and Thomas started business as "Robson Bros. Blacksmith's" in Smithfield in 1911. Their business operated on the north-eastern corner of Smithfield and Liverpool Roads, Smitherfield (Now the Horsley Drive and Cumberland Highway). This fully operating blacksmith's shop with its large collection of tools, gives a dramatic view of the traditional trade.
Money's Motor Garage 1929-1956
Between 1929 and 1956, the Money family ran a bus and motor garage business on the corner of Liverpool Road and Smithfield Street, Smithfield. Buses rang from between Smithfield and Fairfield from about 1918, when Charlie and Stan Gordon picked up passengers in horse drawn buses from Fairfield railway station. On display are petrol pumps and signage from their garage.
The Biz 1917 - 1972 (reconstruction)
Established in 1917, The Biz was the first newspaper to be printed and published in the Fairfield district. The "Biz" is an abbreviation of 'business'. All the machines and tools on display are originally from The Biz office.
Wheatley's 1892-1953 (reconstruction)
Opened in 1892, Wheatley's Store on The Crescent, Fairfield, was established by George M. P. Wheatley. The reconstructed store n the village reflects the building as it was in about 1932, with the soundscape portraying a local shopper Mrs Patterson purchasing items from Roy Wheatley.
Victoria Street School c. 1930s
This one-room schoolhouse reflects conditions in public schools across Australia in the 1930s and was moved to the village in 1984.
Slab Hut built c. 1886
In the 19th century, western Sydney was rural, and slab huts were common dwellings. Timber could be readily cut from local Eucalyptus forests and hewn into slabs ready for building. This hut was built by Nathan Rule c. 1886, at 53 Church Street, Cabramatta.
Caversham Cottage built c. 1880
'Caversham' Cottage was situated at 63 Smart Street, Fairfield and was the lifetime home of Eva Stone (nee Jeffress). To save it from demolition in 1986, the Stone family offered it to the Museum. Half of the house was rebuilt and now the interior reflects the furnishings and contents from about 1906. A young Eva and her sister Annie are seen in photographs hung inside. In front of the cottage are the original steps from Canley Grange, the country house of Sir Henry Parks in Canley Vale.
Robson Bros Blacksmiths 1911-1924 (reconstruction)
Henry (Harry) Robson and his brothers Bill and Thomas started business as "Robson Bros. Blacksmith's" in Smithfield in 1911. Their business operated on the north-eastern corner of Smithfield and Liverpool Roads, Smitherfield (Now the Horsley Drive and Cumberland Highway). This fully operating blacksmith's shop with its large collection of tools, gives a dramatic view of the traditional trade.
Money's Motor Garage 1929-1956
Between 1929 and 1956, the Money family ran a bus and motor garage business on the corner of Liverpool Road and Smithfield Street, Smithfield. Buses rang from between Smithfield and Fairfield from about 1918, when Charlie and Stan Gordon picked up passengers in horse drawn buses from Fairfield railway station. On display are petrol pumps and signage from their garage.
The Biz 1917 - 1972 (reconstruction)
Established in 1917, The Biz was the first newspaper to be printed and published in the Fairfield district. The "Biz" is an abbreviation of 'business'. All the machines and tools on display are originally from The Biz office.
Wheatley's 1892-1953 (reconstruction)
Opened in 1892, Wheatley's Store on The Crescent, Fairfield, was established by George M. P. Wheatley. The reconstructed store n the village reflects the building as it was in about 1932, with the soundscape portraying a local shopper Mrs Patterson purchasing items from Roy Wheatley.
Gallery
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