Woodford Academy in Woodford, New South Wales | History Museum

Woodford Academy

Locality: Woodford, New South Wales

Phone: +61 2 4758 8743

Address: 90-92 Great Western Highway 2778 Woodford, NSW, Australia

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.au/nsw/woodford-academy

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• Community museum

25.01.2022 It was very disappointing to discover this week that Sydney Trains have confirmed their intention to the remove Woodfords Memorial Park footbridge despite acknowledged major impacts on the heritage listed park. Decommissioning would result in entire loss of the footbridge from this location which is a major direct impact to its heritage significance, thus not supported on heritage grounds. It would also have a major direct impact to the heritage significance to the Memor...ial Park given its historical functional relationship and to the communitys sense of place by loss of accessibility. It would have a minor impact to the Gypsy Pool and Wilson Glen as a loss of more direct public access to walking tracks. Statement of Heritage Impact The Woodford community is calling on the NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance to urgently intervene in this distressing recommendation to remove the footbridge & consider instead what a positive outcome replacing the footbridge, improving community safety, enhancing the heritage listed Memorial Park, and maintaining pedestrian access to local walking trails would be for the 2000+ residents of Woodford, the broader Blue Mountains community and struggling local economies. For a small community that has been directly impacted by the terrifying 2019/20 bushfires as well as the global pandemic, losing this much loved heritage item and pedestrian access to Memorial Park and local walking trails is literally a bridge too far for many Woodford residents, who feel strongly that this is not the time for state departments to be engaging in stubbornly myopic views towards community safety and well-being. A new footbridge could be an incredibly positive project to add into the mix as the NSW state government seeks to fast track infrastructure projects to encourage economic recovery from the bushfires and the pandemic, and a fitting tribute to the centenary anniversary of the official opening of the original, community funded footbridge in 1920. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 13 October. Your support is greatly appreciated. https://woodford.consultation.ai/

25.01.2022 This weeks Iso jigsaw is of the RMSs artist perspective of the highway upgrade from 2013. It is incredibly fortunate that the complex of colonial buildings that is today known as the Woodford Academy has survived, despite the significant changes to its immediate curtilage in the last 180+ years. In fact it is the only one of the original roadside inns to have survived progress, making it today the Blue Mountains oldest building.

24.01.2022 Winter snowdrops at the Academy...

24.01.2022 Fantastic news that the AFTRS short film Sweet Tooth that was shot at the Woodford Academy has been selected for the 2020 St Kilda Film Festival! Even more exciting that the festival is going online this year, so you can watch this incredible film from the comfort of your own lounge! For more info about the festival go to...... www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/films/sweet-tooth See more

24.01.2022 The Academy is happy to help those who want to explore its stories and who do so in a respectful and caring way. Emily spent time researching and interviewing the people involved in her evocative narrative and her care is evident here - no sensationalist exaggerations, no spooky music - she lets the building speak for itself. Well done! https://centralnews.com.au//the-haunting-of-woodford-acad/

24.01.2022 Attached to the lid of this travel trunk from the 1910s is a handwritten list of contents. Student boarders at Woodford Academy were instructed to paste a list of their belongings to their travel cases. We may not know the name of the original owner of this trunk but it is a poignant reminder of the items brave little men brought with them to Woodford Academy, far from home.

24.01.2022 Wishing everyone a very happy long weekend ahead with a friendly reminder: National Trust (NSW) Properties are not open yet. We are looking forward to welcoming you back soon and getting organised for a time when we can. If you arrive at our properties this weekend, we will not be able to let you in. Please plan accordingly to avoid disappointment. Drive safe, stay safe and keep healthy!

23.01.2022 We are disappointed that this years Wuthering hosted by Shine Dance school could not take place due to the pandemic - but the safety of our guests and volunteers remains our priority! We look forward to donning our red frocks again in 2021!

23.01.2022 Help the National Trust save Willow Grove in Parramatta. A new museum should not result in the demolition of this culturally significant house. A green ban has been placed on the building. Let’s make sure our voices are heard. https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/donate-nsw/

23.01.2022 Many thanks to all those who have sent kind words of support to our volunteer managed property in these difficult times. We are thrilled our Blue Mountains sister properties Everglades & Norman Lindsay are reopening...and we hope to reopen in the not too distant future too....Watch this space!

22.01.2022 Congratulations to GML heritage - Winner of the National Trust Heritage Award (NSW), 2020 Judges’ Choice and National Trust Heritage Award (NSW), 2020 Adaptive Reuse, for the conservation and repurposing of the Marrickville Library and Community Hub early 20th-century heritage buildings in a striking example of adaptive re-use. https://www.gml.com.au//marrickville-library-and-communit/

22.01.2022 The National Trust is raising its voice to save White Bay! Our industrial heritage is important. https://www.abc.net.au//break/david-burdon-online/12898940

21.01.2022 Original Woodford Boys athletic shorts? They were made by Farmer’s Department Store in Sydney. In the early twentieth century schools could purchase uniforms, sports gear, and hats from Farmer’s. We are excited to find these in our archive.

20.01.2022 Blue Mountains based artist Mandy Schoene Salters installation Remnants was originally scheduled for April 2020 at the Woodford Academy - but the property was closed In March due to the pandemic. We remain hopeful that visitors will be able to experience her artwork at our open day in September this year - but if not it will be presented to audiences digitally. We are thrilled that Blue Mountains City Council are supporting Ms Schoene Salter with a grant to ensure that this installation can be realized in this incredibly challenging year.

20.01.2022 Woodford Academy is a place of discovery - layer upon layer of history. Each layer adds to the narrative of the people, land, and stories of Woodford and the Blue Mountains. We are still closed to the public but continue to work hard behind the scenes.

20.01.2022 Such exciting news about the inclusion of AFTRS short film Sweet Tooth inclusion in St Kildas online Film Festival! We are looking forward to seeing the Woodford Academy in all its misty, spooky glory!

19.01.2022 The badge of the Woodfordians, an alumni group formed of past pupils of the The Woodford Academy. This has been donated to the Academy by Isobel Bowdens (Woodford Academy resident, operator of the first Academy tea rooms & founding member of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society) niece Reinatta, along with a copy of Woodford Christmas Bells, a 1918 pamphlet of local news, poems and stories written to bring a message of love, hope and cheer to those from the community t...hat were serving overseas, and a photo of the young Isobel on Bathurst Rd, near the Woodford station. Reinatta is shown with her Fiancee outside her Aunts Academy tea rooms, probably in the 1960s. Many thanks to her for passing on these precious family mementos. . #bluemountains #local #woodfordacademy #woodford #nationaltrustnsw #nationaltrust @ Woodford Academy - National Trust of Australia NSW

19.01.2022 Thank you Ben Stoner, Conservator extraordinaire, for your amazing conservation work on a significant item in our collection. John McManamey’s desk is back in the museum and looking glorious. McManamey was schoolmaster of Woodford Academy in the early twentieth century. Some before and after pictures are posted here.

19.01.2022 Some good news!

19.01.2022 Current mood... Photo by Ingrid Rowell for Regency Fashions hosted by Lorna McKenzie at Woodford Academy July 2014

18.01.2022 So wonderful having Chris Tobin back at the Academy today for a film shoot. We’ve missed you Chris!

17.01.2022 The Woodford Academy is looking forward to reopening in February 2021. There are lots of talks, art projects, and conservation works in the planning. We look forward to welcoming people back to our site soon - particularly the wonderful Blue Mountains community.

17.01.2022 Today, Saturday June 20th is the Academys Monthly Open Day. In lieu of visiting us in person heres a story from our archives - In May 1910 Ettie McManamey wrote in her Diary: My father did a very brave thing in the great flood the /70 I think when he & Mr Jim Rutherford of Bathurst rowed a small boat over the Macquarie River to get the mails, when nobody else would go. I thought Mr Rutherford had died long ago, but saw a little while back an account in the paper praising... Mr Rutherford & calling him Bathursts Grand Old Man. I think sometimes of writing to him & asking him to let me know the particulars of it. Ettie, here are the particulars of it. The up and down mails were conveyed across the Macquarie, on Sunday, in a small boat (built by Messrs. Cobb and Co. for the purpose) by Mr. W. Nelson, photographic artist, who is also an experienced seaman. Mr. Nelson skilfully took the boat across on Saturday evening, and deserves great praise for his pluck; for it was a difficult and dangerous enterprise, owing to the great rapidity of the current with Immense logs of timber it carried. Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Thursday 27 June 1867 p 5 Article Etties father died when she was only 4 but she writes in her diary how she has memories of him and how proud she was to hear of his bravery during the 1870 floods. He was one of the first photographers in the Central West and ran Nelsons Photographic studios in the centre of Bathurst. After his Death the business was continued by Etties mother as E. Nelson, until her shop was destroyed in a fire in 1880. Ettie was proud of her Danish heritage and dreamed of visiting the shores of Lalaland where her father was born. . #bluemountains #local #history #nationaltrust #ntnsw #woodfordacademy #BlueMountainsTourism #bathurst #lalaland @ Woodford Academy - National Trust of Australia NSW

17.01.2022 While the Woodford Academy is closed visitors can still enjoy the recently completed self-guided heritage trail in the adjoining Woodford Reserve - the former grounds of the Academy. For more information visit https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/WoodfordReserve

16.01.2022 Former Academy Artist in Residence Christines Millinery has pivoted to mask making to help keep us all safe (& stylish) during this pandemic...They look great Christine - thank you!

14.01.2022 Do you remember these old department stores in Sydney?

14.01.2022 This room at the Academy features an original cartouche. William Buss (innkeeper) ran a large taproom (bar) from the mid 1850s. The cartouche around the door depicts painted grapes, peaches and corn representing the ingredients that were fermented to make spirits. Evidence of shelving in the taproom are also present. William Buss (pictured here) purchased the King’s Arms roadside inn (now Woodford Academy) in 1855. A former convict, Buss was a colourful character and the inn quickly became known as 'Buss's Inn' until his death in 1867.

14.01.2022 Dont forget booked tickets are also required to visit our Blue Mountains sister property Norman Lindsay Gallery.

13.01.2022 A rocking chair pin cushion from the archive.

12.01.2022 Great write up on the wonderful range of things you can do in the #bluemountains - including visiting the Woodford Academy. We cant wait to welcome the community back. Watch this space for announcements on our reopening news post-COVID. https://bit.ly/2AWhFoQ

12.01.2022 Improvements continue behind closed doors at the museum thanks to our new property coordinator/curator. Today we welcomed the new timber benches into the school room! Last week Perspex covers were installed to the boys lockers to allow collection items to be safely displayed, and a new digital photo frame will display some of the fascinating collection of photos of the boys from the school years - it also plays the school song! :-)

12.01.2022 Great article in the local paper about the wonderful work going on Behind Closed Doors while the museum has been closed due to the pandemic.

12.01.2022 Woodford Academy has a large book collection thanks to the former schoolmaster/owner John McManamey. This book title particularly caught our eye.

12.01.2022 The Woodford Academy is a not yet open to the public but it is being looked after by Annie Stevens, our part time Property Coordinator who commenced with us in February this year. Annie lives in the Blue Mountains and has extensive experience in the management of collections, archives and historic sites. She continues to work with the Academys diverse collection of objects such as this well used spokeshave, selection of chunky chisels and ancient woodworking tools. Some items are not that easy to identify so if you have any idea what this strange object might be used as, please let us know. . #bluemountains #local #history #nationaltrust #ntnsw #woodfordacademy #BlueMountainsTourism #tools #heritage @ Woodford Academy - National Trust of Australia NSW

12.01.2022 Some little helpers at the Academy took part in a socially distanced Latin and maths lesson today.

11.01.2022 This week we have been reflecting on all the young Woodford Academy boys who enlisted in World War 1. Lest we forget.

11.01.2022 There is no I in TEAM... A heartfelt thanks to each and every one of the Academys volunteers as we celebrate National Volunteering Week 2020 - Changing Communities, Changing Lives! The multi-award winning volunteer Woodford Academy Management Committee generously give their diverse wealth of expertise, skills, time and a lot of good will, to ensure the Blue Mountains oldest building is able to remain open for guests to experience and enjoy. ... The Management Committee are supported by an incredible team of about 50 volunteers who assist with gardening, cleaning, collection management, advocacy, open days, school tours, cafe service and much more! We are looking forward to welcoming both our volunteers and guests back to the property again, when it is safe to do so. #NVW2020 #Nationalvolunteeringweek

11.01.2022 The bake house at Woodford Academy. We may be closed to visitors but the spring breeze is warming every corner of the house. At last Spring is here!

10.01.2022 Afternoon sun at Woodford Academy. The sandstone looks glorious.

09.01.2022 The Ladies Parlour.

09.01.2022 Our sister Blue Mountains National Trust property Everglades is producing some beautiful iso jigsaws too! Enjoy!

08.01.2022 Hi from the Woodford Academy resident Blue Tongue - keeping the snails down. #bluemountains #local #garden #woodfordacademy #heritage #history #nationaltrust #ntnsw #bluetonguelizard #bluetongue

08.01.2022 The Woodford Academy management committee has accepted with regret, the resignation of Libby Burgess as its Chair. She has been one of the foundation members of the committee and has helped to engender a vibrant, community focused, artistic, heritage space. Libbys commitment to and passion for the Academy is evident in the many art events, publications and installations she coordinated and marketed. She is a fervent heritage advocate and community spokesperson and her cont...ribution to Woodford and the Academy is exemplary. Libby, we offer thanks and appreciation for all the work and commitment you, and your family, have given to the Woodford community and wish you all the best. #bluemountains #art #woodfordacademy #woodford #nationaltrustnsw #nationaltrust #thanks #heritage

07.01.2022 Dont forget booked tickets now required to visit our beautiful Blue Mountains sister property Everglades!

07.01.2022 Its tulip time! Thank you to our volunteer, Margaret, who always keeps our pleasure garden at Woodford Academy looking lush. The gardens sweet aromas today were divine.

06.01.2022 Thank you Georgina Donovan, local Woodford furniture designer/maker, for our new display plinths at Woodford Academy. And thank you Elizabeth Burgess from 2000ft Design in Woodford for your awesome design. We love supporting and working with local businesses.

06.01.2022 In the interests of the health of the community and our volunteers, Woodford Academy - National Trust of Australia NSW remains closed until further notice.

06.01.2022 Did you know that Earth is the closest it’s been to Mars in fifteen years! Mars is bright in the night sky this week. Woodford Academy has had a history of planet gazing. In 1874 Alfred Fairfax, owner of Woodford House (now Woodford Academy), gained fame for hosting the observation of the transit of Venus. Fairfax was a keen amateur astronomer and owned a 4.75-inch (120-millimetre) refracting telescope, considered at the time to be one of the finest.

04.01.2022 Celebrate with Australia’s longest-standing heritage conservation charity, including a short documentary film that tells the story of the achievements, the enduring and vital role of the National Trust, and conveys and wonder shared with the community as we continue to bring the heritage of New South Wales to life for future generations. The National Trust was first established in New South Wales in 1945 by Annie Forsyth Wyatt. To mark this important milestone in a "COVID-19 ...year", the National Trust invites its Members, volunteers, staff and the community to celebrate with us for the year ahead. This virtual launch of the National Trust’s 75th Anniversary program of events is presented by Fenella Kernebone, a Board Director of the charity and the Head Curator of TEDxSydney. Fenella Kernebone welcomes special guest speakers including: Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, the Governor of New South Wales who is also the National Trust (NSW)’s Patron The President of the National Trust (NSW), Neil Wykes OAM The Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust (NSW), Debbie Mills The National Trust’s former Director, Conservation (1980 2020), Graham Quint Lifetime Member of the National Trust, Lois Rasmussen Visit the online exhibition here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/exhi... Come to a 75th Anniversary event at a National Trust property near you explore the program here https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/75ye... https://youtu.be/15eSJrt7vuw

03.01.2022 There was quite a buzz at Woodford Academy today. The whole garden was abuzz with bees.

03.01.2022 Sport was an important part of the Woodford Academy curriculum and the collection contains many items reflecting this, including cricket bats, tennis racquets and footballs. Headmaster John McManamey was acknowledged as a distinguished athlete and captained Sydney Universitys first grade Union team. Its unsurprising therefore to find in the collection this carefully formatted notebook recording the results of the 1894-95 English tour of Australia but also puzzling as the author, C. W. Runcie was not a student and the Academy did not exist in that year - it was then still a Guesthouse. Another mystery from the Archives... The English team won the 1894 series 3-2. . #bluemountains #local #history #nationaltrust #ntnsw #woodfordacademy #BlueMountainsTourism #cricket #sport @ Woodford Academy - National Trust of Australia NSW

03.01.2022 The Man in Black, the Woman in White...3 sisters youth theatre filming at the Academy. #jahmedia #9thorder #3sistersyt #woodfordacademy #bluemountains

02.01.2022 We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get the museum ready for the return of visitors early next year. We’re looking forward to an exciting 2021.

02.01.2022 Thank you to Craig Patrick for identifying the mystery object as a Sulky step - our eclectic collection also holds an ancient Cow Bell and an Ostrich egg. . #bluemountains #local #history #nationaltrust #ntnsw #woodfordacademy #BlueMountainsTourism #cowbell @ Woodford Academy - National Trust of Australia NSW

01.01.2022 This week is NAIDOC Week. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Gundungurra and Darug people, on whose land Woodford Academy stands, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.