Community, Care and Conviviality: Freemasonry in Lithgow

1st – 30th September 2018

During September, Eskbank House Museum presents “Community, Care and Conviviality: Freemasonry in Lithgow”, an exhibition that explores the social side of Freemasonry in Lithgow. Objects and images from the Eskbank House Museum collection are accompanied by pieces from the Lithgow District Historical Society image collection, the Lithgow & District Family History Society, and local Freemasons.

“The chance to see Lithgow’s Masonic history told using objects and images is an opportunity not to be missed,” said Lithgow City Council Mayor Stephen Lesslie. He continued “Organisations like this have played, and continue to play, an important role in our community. This exhibition speaks to the community and social connections of these organisations.”

With the industrialisation of Lithgow after the arrival of the railway in the 1860s fraternal organisations appeared. Amongst the trade unions, benefit societies and other working men’s organisations the Freemasons established a Lodge in the town. From the 1880s there has been a Masonic presence in Lithgow. In 1913 the Freemasons were joined by women through the formation of the Hartford Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. 

Throughout their history these organisations have offered social and charitable opportunities for their members. As well as socialising amongst themselves after Lodge and Chapter meetings, they also met with brother and sister groups and the public, often dining and dancing until the small hours. As well as internal benevolence provisions there is an ongoing commitment to a number of community causes, including aged care. Despite the falling memberships both the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star are still generous contributors to many charities.

The Exhibition Curator, Michael Stevenson, praised Lithgow locals for their assistance in putting the exhibition together. “Both the Freemasons and the Order of the Eastern Star have been very generous in lending objects and telling their stories,” he said. “The opportunity to work with the passionate staff at Lithgow Library, Lithgow & District Family History Society and Eskbank House Museum has been a real pleasure.”

Community, Care and Conviviality: Freemasonry in Lithgow

1st – 30th September 2018

Eskbank House Museum
Corner Bennett & Inch Streets, Lithgow NSW 2790
Open Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm, entry fees apply

Waste 2 Art Exhibition

19^th May – 10^th June 2018

The Waste 2 Art competition returns to Eskbank House Museum for another year of art made from reused and recycled materials, challenging people to think differently about waste. Local artists of all ages responded to the challenge of creating artwork from materials that would otherwise be discarded as rubbish and end up in landfill. The Waste 2 Art competition and exhibition, a Netwaste initiative, seeks to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Judges of the 2018 competition were Sharon Howard, Director of Gang Gang Gallery, and Nigel Campbell, Waste & Recycling Coordinator for Lithgow City Council.  

The following winning entries will go on to represent the Lithgow LGA at the regional exhibition in Narromine from June 23 – July 21 2018.

Primary 2D – Portland Central School, Rainbow Garden

Primary 3D – Dia MacNamara, Plastic in the marine Environment

Primary Functional – Samatha Winks, Bookcase

Secondary 3D – Delaney Reinhardt, Polist – Irene

Community 2D – Clare McAdam, Shadow Snake

Community 3D – Gregory Wheeler, Kangaroo

Community Functional – Clare McAdam, Crate Expectations

Open 2D – Gordon McCloud, Postcards

Open 3D – Helen Munro, Grannies silver and crystal garden

Open Functional – Gordon McCloud, Bottle Openers

25th November 2017 – 28th January 2018

“…this building which represents so much in the history of Lithgow.” Lithgow Historical Committee to Australian Iron & Steel, 28 September 1944

Voices of Eskbank captures key moments and individuals associated with the history of Eskbank House including the influential industrialists Thomas Brown, James Rutherford, William Sandford and the Hoskins Brothers.

Eskbank House was built for Thomas and Mary Brown c.1841 – 1842 and has been at the heart of Lithgow’s industrial development ever since. Eric Bracey purchased it from Australian Iron and Steel in 1948, and with the Lithgow District Historical Society, opened it as museum on 21^st November 1966.

This exhibition and accompanying publication mark the anniversary of that gift and 175 years since the house was built.

This exhibition was made possible with the support of a Heritage Near Me Grant from the New South Wales Government.