Narrabri Historical Society concerned about ‘deteriorating’ museum

The Narrabri Old Gaol, which houses Narrabri Museum, is deteriorating in its old age and Narrabri Historical Society is worried about its future.

Cracks in many of the walls, growing each year, are alarming society members.

“The building is 140 years old,” said society president Garry Burr.

“The structure is deteriorating and needs work.

“We must preserve this building. It’s part of our community heritage and must be looked after for future generations.

“We can’t let it just fall down.

“If the building was forced to close, that would be the end. We would never get premises like this again – at best, the museum exhibits would be put in a shed.”

The National Trust listed Old Gaol is more than simply premises for the museum exhibits.

“The museum’s biggest exhibit is the historic gaol itself,” said society secretary Max Pringle OAM.

“It must be preserved and needs remedial work now.

“We need a plan and financial help to undertake a program of repair.”

The Narrabri Gaol was built in 1882. It was closed as a gaol in 1982, and a permanent conservation order was gazetted in 1985.

The NSW Heritage Council owns the building. Narrabri Shire Council was appointed trustee of the gaol in 1986, and restoration was approved as Narrabri’s major bi-centennial project in 1988.

“Narrabri Historical Society doesn’t own the building, so we can’t do anything ourselves,” Mr Pringle said.

“We need government funding.

“The shire council has tried and missed out on grants for restoration over the years, but the cracks are worsening – now it is getting critical. There isn’t a room without failures in the brickworks.

“Narrabri has too few heritage buildings – we can’t afford to lose any more.”

A tour of the gaol reveals cracks in the walls in virtually every room and the outside walls.

“There have been engineering inspections done in the past, and estimates of the needed remedial work several years ago were about $700,000,” said Mr Pringle.

“But nothing was done.

“The cost would be much greater now, but we are not necessarily proposing a one-off restoration, just a prioritised program of repair, a bit each year.”

The Old Gaol Museum is a repository of a huge collection of district artefacts and memorabilia.

“It is one of the most comprehensive museums in any country town,” said Mr Burr.

“We know there is even more in people’s homes, but we can’t accept more exhibits with the building the way it is.”

In addition to being a repository of history, the museum is an important tourist attraction.

“We have a steady flow of visitors, coach loads of tourists pull in to inspect the museum, school tours come through and people use it for research.

“And it is the community’s unique and valuable heritage – we must preserve it.”