Overview

The High Street of Maitland was the centre of life and commerce in the mid 19th Century, and the occupants of its houses, inns, and businesses left behind an archaeological record that tells a story of daily life for those working and living in the city by the river.

In 2020, Maitland City Council undertook an extensive archaeological survey of an area of land that would become the new home of the Maitland Administration Centre (MAC) – an architectural gem that reflects the history of the region and the surrounding buildings, integrating the original 1850s Town Hall Cafe and art deco council building into its design.

Always proud of its heritage, this display will be held in the new MAC, and offers an opportunity for residents and visitors to have a look at a sample of the 30,000+ objects that were retrieved from the dig.

Maitland City Council invites you to come take a look at the real objects, browse the original archaeological reports, and take a close look at detailed images of the objects on display.

Not usually out of their deep storage, this is a rare opportunity to take a snapshot peek at Maitland’s past.