Canowindra Historical Society and Museum Inc
Located at 117 Gaskill Street (adjacent to the Age of Fishes Museum), our society and museum was founded in 1967 and has since then been entirely run and operated by volunteers. We collect, preserve, display and document objects assocated with the district's history.
Over the years we have built up what is a unique collection which ranges from a hot air balloon to buttons and pins. Photographs and information on just a fraction of what we hold has been uploaded to our eHive catalogue.
We also record and archive today's events as they will be part of our history in the future. An example of this sort of work is our listing of the derivation of local street names which can be accessed here.
Public Education Sesquicentenary Celebrations and Book Launch
The book - “The Past Fifty Years of Public Education in Canowindra 1975-2025” is at the printers. Our hearty congratulations to Mim Loomes, Fran French and their team of writers, desk-top publishers and proof-readers. The book will be launched at the Canowindra High School at 2pm on Thursday 1 May. All are welcome to attend.The two books on public education in Canowindra from 1875-1975 (reprint of the 1975 book) and the entirely new 1975-2025 book will both be on sale soon – the exact date depends on the printers. Each book is $25. They will be able to be ordered and purchased online via this website, at the museum, and after the launch at the High School. Several shops in town have also agreed to sell them – a big thank to them too. They are Age of Fishes Museum, Virginia Cullane Books and Canowindra Creative Centre.
This project is supported by the Create NSW Cultural Grants Program, a devolved funding program administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.
Special Museum Opening Times in April and early May
The museum will now NOT be open on Easter Saturday 19 April due to volunteers coming down with 'flu.We hope to be open after the ceremonies on Anzac Day, Friday, 25th April from approx midday to 3pm.
During Balloon week – we will be open on Saturday 26 April, Wednesday 30 April, Thursday 1 May, Friday 2 May and Saturday 3 May – from 10am to 3pm.
Admission to the Museum is free but a donation is appreciated.
For everyone’s safety, children must be supervised by a responsible adult while visiting the museum. Please note: Our exhibits, including any machinery, are for viewing only and are not hands-on.
As always, our capacity to open the museum depends on the availability of our volunteers.
The museum can be opened for visitors (including groups and bus tours) at other times (with some notice). Admission is free, although a donation is appreciated. Please use this form to contact us to make arrangements for your visit.
Location
Click here for Google Maps and directions to the museum at 117 Gaskill Street, Canowindra. Our postal address is PO Box 76, Canowindra 2804Support us
Become a Member and donate securely with Square Sign up for our NewsletterOur ABN is 50 208 429 465. We are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Requests for Research Assistance
Got a question? Stuck on your family history research? We can help you to identify a family member from prior generations, an object, make a donation to our collection, access the collection or get copies of images. We can also assist you with general research questions. Please complete our Research Request form.
Football in Canowindra
Canowindra has a long and proud history on the football field having been winners of the Monaghan Cup (played under Rugby Union rules) three times between 1909 and 1913. When football got going again after World War 1, the town switched to Rugby League in 1920. In 2025 the town has both a senior Rugby League club ("The Tigers") and a re-constituted senior Rugby Union club, ("The Pythons"). There are also strong and active seperate Junior clubs for both codes catering for younger players.
Cemeteries and Memorials in the District
Cabonne Council InformationWikitree - Free to access:
1. Canowindra Cemetery
2. Cowra Cemetery
3. Cowra War Cemetery
The Ryerson Index is a comprehensive listing (over 9 million records) of death notices and obituaries in Australian newspapers. Free to use. Search for "Canowindra" (or "Moorbel", "Billimari" etc) in the Location field, or "Canowindra Star" (to 1969), "Canowindra News" or "Canowindra Phoenix" in the Newspaper pull down field.
Local Newspapers
In the early 1970s, the Society was able rescue and preserve most of the weekly issues of the Canowindra Star newspaper starting with some of the earliest issues published in 1900 through to 1969. The newspapers to 1959 were originally microfilmed and then bound in year volumes (by the book binding workshop at Bathurst Gaol - which is how we came by the gallows which is a whole other story). The existence of the microfilms made the task of digitising the newspapers fairly straight forward and this was completed in 2021. The papers from the 1960s were recently scanned and digitised thanks to a grant from Museums and Galleries NSW.
The archive represents a unique social history record over 70 years of life in a country town and surrounding districts in the Central West of New South Wales. The Star faithfully documented deaths, marriages, births, the impact of several wars, politics, social events, the ups and downs of the economy, changes in fashions, sporting triumphs and losses and much more. Most of our newspaper archive is not available on Trove.
The searchable digitised versions have all been uploaded to "the Cloud" and can be accessed by members and researchers on request.
The "Mother of Canowindra"
honoured with a Blue Plaque at Old Vic Inn, Canowindra
The first husband was the late John Flanagan, two sons (Mr. Vince Flanagan, postmaster of Ganmain, Mr. W. Flanagan) and one daughter (Mrs. E. Finn) being the surviving members of the family. Later in life the deceased married the late Thomas Clyburn. One son (Mr. J. Clyburn) and three daughters (Mrs. Bert Rice, Mrs. L. J. Preston, of Sydney, and Mrs. C. W. Judge, Greenthorpe, but late of Glen Innes) being the surviving members of this family.
Of more recent years deceased married Mr. J. H. Marshall (now residing in Sydney).
The late Mrs. Marshall was always of a charitable disposition, giving freely of her substance and helping in many ways every cause for the benefit of humanity and the welfare of the district. When in the prime of life she was ever ready to go to a sick bed, often travelling long distances on these worthy errands. In fact, it is said that in those far off early days she was reportedly doctor and nurse for the district, and always maintained her own medicine chest.
In fostering education the deceased lady was foremost. In the early sixties she engaged private tutors, built a school, and invited all the children in the surrounding district to attend gratuitously.
On the death of her brother's wife (Mrs. Wm. Robinson) the late Mrs. Marshall voluntarily took care of the four children and reared them as members of her own family. Mr. Aubrey Robinson is a surviving member of this family.
In her early days deceased was the licensee of the famous Sheet-o'-Bark Hotel, near Woodstock, now fallen into decay. While there she frequently came into contact with the bushrangers, of whom she could tell many interesting stories. She was also owner and licensee of the Victoria Hotel, Canowindra.
In her last illness Mrs. Marshall was attended by all members of the family, assisted by many friends and the Sisters of St. Joseph. The last sad rites of the Church were administered by Revs. Fathers. Searson and Bede, who were constantly in attendance.
Very general sympathy will go out to the bereaved...."
Read more at the Bessie Robinson pages
Canowindra Historical Museum volunteers will endeavour to open (excluding the month of January) for visitors on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10.00am and 1.00pm. The museum can be opened at other times and days by prior arrangement - click here for our contact page.
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