Central NSW Museums

05/05/2026

Remembering bushranger Ben Hall The Forbes Historical Museum

The dawn broke in a hail of gunfire this morning, 161 years ago.

RIP Ben Hall 🪦

Shot dead 5th May, 1865.

Photo courtesy: recordsearch.naa.gov.au

Image date : 1969

05/12/2025

MOLONG MUSEUM TAKES CHRISTMAS BREAK:

Molong Museum is usually open every weekend from 10am to 2pm.

Please note: The Historical Society and Museum will be closed during the Christmas break to allow the Committee and Volunteers to re-charge their batteries for what promises to be another busy year!

The Museum will close from Sunday 14 December until Thursday 22 January 2026.

If you wish to visit the Museum during this Christmas break, please give 24 hours notice, and call:

Jan: 0402 030 270
Sue: 0400 425 015
Julie: 0438 467 292

20/11/2025

Happy Birthday Millthorpe Museum & Information Centre!! Congratulations!

01/11/2025

Exciting news to share about Newman Park, Orange.

22/10/2025

WE NEED YOUR HELP: Orange City Library Heritage Unit is assisting Heritage NSW to consult on a program to install Blue Plaques along the 1965 Freedom Ride trail. The Freedom Ride was instrumental in raising awareness of racial injustice and building momentum for reconciliation action in Australia.

The Freedom Ride stopped at St John’s Presbyterian Church, Orange for breakfast on 14 February 1965 before moving onto Wellington and Moree.

Heritage NSW wish to engage with the community in the Central West about which towns and locations should receive a Blue Plaque to mark this significant event for Orange and our communities.

We need your help to please nominate Orange for a Blue Plaque or drop in on Monday 27 October to the Community Consultation at:
• West Room, next door to Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange
• Drop in and have your say from 10.30am – 12.30pm (light refreshments served).

The community’s input about which towns and locations should receive a Blue Plaque will be integral to Heritage NSW’s planning for the commemoration of this historic event and its ongoing legacy.

You can read more about it and ‘Have Your Say’ at: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/freedom-ride-trail....

Or email: [email protected]

Photograph: Courtesy CWD Negative Collection - Orange & District Historical Society -
University of Sydney students having breakfast at the Presbyterian Hall, Orange on a stopover during the Freedom Ride. There were about 35 students on the two-week trip around New South Wales. The newspaper recorded the students were "conducting a survey on the conditions affecting aborigines". This was the early part of the 1965 Freedom Ride.

03/10/2025

This year, the Western NSW Local Health District is recognising 100 years of mental health care, connection and community at the Bloomfield Hospital. Get involved....

You can find out more about Bloomfield’s history and the centenary events on the dedicated webpage.
Find out more: https://ow.ly/SJ0q50X0Ek2

This year, we are recognising 100 years of mental health care, connection and community at the Bloomfield Hospital.

Mental health care has changed significantly in the last century and so has the Bloomfield campus, and now it’s the largest rural mental health campus in Australia.

This year’s centenary is a chance to reflect on the changes, and the experiences of all the people who have provided or received care here.

To do that, our team is hosting a series of events including tours, concerts, exhibitions and an anniversary dinner. You can find out more about Bloomfield’s history and the centenary events on our dedicated webpage.

Find out more: https://ow.ly/SJ0q50X0Ek2

13/09/2025

Great work Millthorpe Museum & Information Centre volunteers!

10/08/2025

Reminder: Plaque Dedication to Dr Alex Ritchie happening in Canowindra on Friday.

22/07/2025

Carcoar Hospital Museum will be closed for a short while. Checkout the Central NSW Museum's website for opening times of the Regional Museums located in Millthorpe, Molong, Orange, and Canowindra.

Send a message to learn more