Family Members at the unveiling of a new plaque, could your family be the next one to add to the collection?
If your family was living in the Canowindra district before 1901 and are not remembered on the Pioneers’ Wall at the Canowindra museum, we would like to hear from you. Indeed, you may wish to add your family plaque.
The Canowindra Historical Society and Museum intends to unveil new plaques at its Open Day during the October long weekend. The Society President, Dr Jennifer Wythes, said “There is ample space on the wall for additional plaques and we would welcome more pioneer families.”
If you are interested, please contact the museum at canowindrahistorical@gmail.com, for more details as soon as possible, with final details before COB Monday, 19th June.
The Historical Society would need to know who in your family first came to the district, when and where from. Most plaques also give brief details of the pioneer’s occupation, their children and sometimes a few words on their life here, for example, business or property names.
Already, the Wiradjuri people and 107 settler families are represented. The family of Matthew Thomas and Willena Dwyer added their plaque only last month.
The pioneers’ wall was erected in 2001 as part of the Bicentenary celebrations. It honours the families residing here before Federation in 1901 and so records their connections to today’s citizens.
“It is remarkable how often the Society is contacted by people seeking information on family history”, said Dr Wythes.
“We really appreciate receiving information about our local pioneers and their descendants.”
The early European settlers came mainly from England, Ireland or Scotland – both as free migrants and ex-convicts, or their descendants. Some were from more distant parts of the world.